Those Barren Leaves

Aldous Huxley is at his satirical best in this ironic portrayal of a group gathered in an Italian palace by Mrs. Aldwinkle, a woman yearning to relive the days of the Renaissance. Through his biting narrative, Huxley strips away the supposed sophistication of each guest—including a struggling poet turned editor; a disabled yet wealthy heiress who is endlessly pursued by an aging philosopher; and a...