The Last September

The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen

Things are violently changing in Ireland. There is a revolution going on. However, the English aristocracy still has their social activities to attend to. They ponder going elsewhere, but like where they are. In the end, things turn violent, with death and the final official end. It has a "Jane Austen in the time of war" feel.

Death of the Heart

Death of the Heart feels like a Jane Austen novel set in the pre-World War II time period. A lot of time is spent worrying about the details of what other people think. What does this person think of me? How could they read my journal? It goes back to an earlier era where people would actually write. Their journals had private matters that were expected to be read by them alone, not shared on social media. Now do people even know what they think? Or do they spend too much time crafting the appropriate social media profile?

The book deals with people (primarily youth) of various backgrounds. They are enjoying time together and trying to figure out how to get along socially. It ends with a girl finally trying to escape from her condition (with a very bizarre marriage proposal.) The way people react is borderline comedic. Something very serious is happening, yet they are concerned as much with the minor details.