Crome Yellow

Programme (2024/25)

“Crome Yellow” is a satirical novel that explores the lives and interactions of a group of intellectuals and artists who gather at the fictional Crome Yellow estate in England. The story is set in the 1920s and revolves around a weekend visit to the estate by the protagonist, Denis Stone, a young poet.

The novel is known for its witty and often humorous portrayal of the characters and their various eccentricities. Huxley uses the characters and their discussions to satirize the intellectual and artistic trends of his time, including the emerging modernist and avant-garde movements. The book touches on themes such as love, desire, social class, and the clash between tradition and modernity.

Overall, “Crome Yellow” is a commentary on the cultural and intellectual milieu of the early 20th century and provides a glimpse into the world of the British intellectual elite during that period. It is considered one of Huxley’s earlier works and was followed by his more famous novels like “Brave New World“, which explored dystopian themes in a different context.

Reading for next lecture

– Antic Hay