A Dance to the Music of Time is a series of twelve novels written by Anthony Powell between 1951 and 1975. The series follows the life of Nicholas Jenkins, a British intellectual, from his school days in the 1920s to his retirement in the 1970s. The novels are set in the period between the two World Wars and explore the changing social and political landscape of England during this time.
The first novel in the series, A Question of Upbringing, introduces Nicholas Jenkins and his schoolmates at a public school in England. The novel follows the boys as they grow up and move into adulthood, exploring their relationships with each other and their changing attitudes towards life. The second novel, A Buyer's Market, follows Nicholas as he moves to London and begins his career as a writer. He meets a variety of characters, including the mysterious Widmerpool, who will become a major figure in the series.
The third novel, The Acceptance World, follows Nicholas as he moves to Paris and begins a relationship with a French woman. The novel explores the cultural differences between England and France, as well as the changing political landscape of Europe in the 1930s. The fourth novel, At Lady Molly's, follows Nicholas as he returns to England and begins a relationship with Lady Molly Jeavons. The novel explores the changing social mores of the time, as well as the impact of the Second World War on the lives of the characters.
The fifth novel, Casanova's Chinese Restaurant, follows Nicholas as he moves to London and begins a career in publishing. The novel explores the changing literary landscape of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters. The sixth novel, The Kindly Ones, follows Nicholas as he moves to the countryside and begins a relationship with a woman from a different social class. The novel explores the changing social mores of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters.
The seventh novel, The Valley of Bones, follows Nicholas as he moves to the countryside and begins a relationship with a woman from a different social class. The novel explores the changing social mores of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters. The eighth novel, The Soldier's Art, follows Nicholas as he moves to London and begins a career in the military. The novel explores the changing political landscape of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters.
The ninth novel, The Military Philosophers, follows Nicholas as he moves to London and begins a career in the military. The novel explores the changing political landscape of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters. The tenth novel, Books Do Furnish a Room, follows Nicholas as he moves to London and begins a career in publishing. The novel explores the changing literary landscape of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters.
The eleventh novel, Temporary Kings, follows Nicholas as he moves to London and begins a career in publishing. The novel explores the changing literary landscape of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters. The twelfth and final novel in the series, Hearing Secret Harmonies, follows Nicholas as he moves to the countryside and begins a relationship with a woman from a different social class. The novel explores the changing social mores of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters.
The series as a whole is a sweeping exploration of the changing social and political landscape of England between the two World Wars. Through the life of Nicholas Jenkins, the reader is able to explore the changing attitudes of the time, as well as the impact of the war on the lives of the characters. The series is a classic