A Question of Upbringing
1955
£150.00
1969 hardback impression in fine condition, there is a previous owner inscription to the front endpage and foxing to pre text pages. no other markings, pages clean, binding firm. Dust jacket in removable protective sleeve.
About
The opening novel in Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time, a twelve-volume cycle spanning much of the 20th century.
Published in 1951, it begins the story of a trio of boys — Nicholas Jenkins (the narrator), Charles Stringham, and Peter Templer — who are friends at a nameless school (based upon Powell's public school Eton College) and then move on to different paths. A fourth figure, Kenneth Widmerpool, stands slightly apart from them, poised for greatness.
The title of the book had its origin in an incident in which Powell was a passenger in a car driven by his friend, the Old Etonian screenwriter Thomas Wilton ("Tommy") Phipps. Phipps and Powell found themselves driving straight towards an oncoming vehicle. Powell later recorded, "Seizing the hand-brake as we sped towards what seemed imminent collision, Phipps muttered to himself, 'This is just going to be a question of upbringi
