A review by ladybird4prez
The Loom of Youth by Alec Waugh

informative reflective slow-paced

A semi-autobiographical story/account of the English Public School system that could only be written by someone simultaneously nostalgic for his time at the school and bemoaning the disillusionment with the system experienced near the end of his time there. The sheer level of detail seems to be shaped by Waugh’s nostalgia. It’s so detailed, in fact, that it reaches the point of monotony, especially when it comes to the recounts of all the sporting matches. This makes for a bit of a slow read, but again, I get the sense that this amount of detail only comes from a place of sentimentality. The characters are also all overly concerned with sports, which may explain its heavy focus, as well. 

The accounts of daily life are interspersed with explicit critiques of the school system, and it’s interesting to see these alongside each other. Considering this was written before Waugh entered the army, all the mixed feelings make sense. Nostalgic for “simpler” times while reflecting on all the failings of the school’s culture and the school system, itself. Lamenting the time lost focusing on inconsequential schoolwork, pranks, sports, house loyalties, etc., now to be sent to the trenches. Reckoning with the system meant to set you up to be a successful adult, and “coming of age” at a time when it’s more likely that you’ll never even reach adulthood.