Poviedka o prostom človeku, pastierovi a jeho dokonalom splynutí s prírodou. Obraz provensálského pastiera je oslavou vytrvalej činnosti, ktorá si nenárokuje nárok na odmenu, a predsa sa svojím výsledkom blíži k aktu stvorenia. Poviedka sa stala pre ochrancov prírody inšpiráciou k zalesňovaniu celých oblastí.
Charles Ryder, a lonely student at Oxford, is captivated by the outrageous and decadent Sebastian Flyte. Invited to Brideshead, Sebastian's magnificent family home, Charles welcomes the attentions of its eccentric, artistic inhabitants the Marchmains, becoming infatuated with them and the life of privilege they inhabit - in particular, with Sebastian's remote sister, Julia. But, as duty and desire, faith and happiness come into conflict, and the Marchmains struggle to find their place in a changing world, Charles eventually comes to recognize his spiritual and social distance from them.