Continuing my Huxley streak, not long ago I finished Antic Hay. It is the best Huxley book I've read outside of Brave New World. Here is a novel that is similar to his other early work, in that is it satirical and full of irony, but that establishes character and emotion more adequately than other early work. We follow the exploits of a young teacher who has the idea of inflatable pants for people who sit at desks all day. We also spend time with a group of bohemian artists in London, an eclectic and interesting bunch. Huxley has really stepped forward with this novel, sacrificing none of his edge in terms of exploring philosophical concepts, but marrying this with much more solid characterization. Funny, to be sure, but moving and enduring in a sense that Chrome Yellow is not. Similar to a longer form of his short stories. A virtuoso performance. A novel of ideas and of people. What more do you want?
One criticism I will offer: Huxley seems to have trouble writing about people who are not part of his own social class (upper crust, to be sure). The perception of his work is sharp, but doesn't really extend beyond this group. While it is not easy to immediately identify with his characters, after some exposure you come to appreciate them.
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