Down There on a visit is the 1962 novel from English author Christopher Isherwood. Through his political advocacy and the literary success of his friends, Auden and Spender, Christopher Isherwood became something of a literary rockstar. Immersing himself in sexual experimentation, alcohol, and raucous company across Europe and North America, Isherwood's hedonism pauses briefly for a dalliance with eastern mysticism. Carnal indulgence soon continues. The title refers to a verbal jibe fired at Isherwood's eponymous protagonist by another character, Paul. "You know, you really are a tourist, to... your bones" laughs Paul. "I bet you're always sending post cards with 'Down here on a visit' on them. That's the story of your life." In the novel Isherwood derives meaning and emotion from those around him. Just as his life is characterized by his friends, the novel's four sections are titled after influential people. Beginning with young adulthood, Mr. Lancaster introduces Christopher to the mystery of Berlin and the danger of asceticism. Ambrose inadvertently warns Christopher of isolationism and Waldemar embodies the surreality of heterosexual marriage.
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