The Sleep of Reason

The title is taken from the Spanish painter, Goya - "The sleep of reason brings forth monsters". In this 10th novel in Snow's 11 novel series "Strangers and Brothers", the time is now 1963, and the story takes place chiefly in Eliot's home town, and in London, where he now lives. The novel is bookended with Eliot's father, who lives alone in the provencial town, and is now in his late 80s. Eliot also relates his relationship with his now 16-year-old son, Charles, his involvement with a local university, its chancellor and his daughter, Vickie, who is in love with Eliot's nephew, something of a scoundrel. But at the heart of this novel is a trial that involves George Passant's niece and her lover, Kitty Pateman. They have tortured and killed an 8-year-old boy. Eliot gets somewhat involved because of his sympathy for and old friendship with George. The trial account is very riveting even though there is never any doubt that the two parties are guilty. Great questions are tackled in this book - responsibility - freedom - free choice. Exactly how free are we for our actions? Just how responsiblile are we for our decisions? This was one of the better books in the series.