It was an idyllic weekend at Crome. As the country-house guests - including a talented painter, a spiritual journalist, three girls and a young would-be poet - while away their time in brilliant talk, we are presented with a vivid portrait of two generations at leisure. From the science fantasies of Mr Scogan (anticipating the Huxley of Brave New World) to Henry Wimbush's engaging accounts of his eccentric ancestors, this is social satire of the most relaxed sort. Its blend of intelligent humour, sadness, fantasy and farce established Huxley's reputation as a leading spokesman and critic of the brittle world of the 1920s.