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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
The first Evelyn Waugh book I made it through! Maybe I'll try Brideshead Revisited again.
dark
funny
This was a reread and I found it just as engaging the second time around. I know little of Waugh's personal life or views and am not particularly interested. But there is no doubt that some of his characters are racists, especially the upper crust types he satirizes. Yes, the language makes me squirm at times, but it is an accurate portrayal of who these people were. In this book, the narrator's voice does not seem racist and those characters who are overtly racist are portrayed as fools. So I can deal. Your mileage may vary.
For me, some of Waugh's upper crusty male characters, like Tony in this book, suggest Bertie Wooster a number of years down the road with no Jeeves to bail him out from his misadventures and written by an author who does not find his spineless foolishness charming. I have read most of Waugh's fiction, much of it more than once. Wodehouse wears thin very quickly by comparison.
For me, some of Waugh's upper crusty male characters, like Tony in this book, suggest Bertie Wooster a number of years down the road with no Jeeves to bail him out from his misadventures and written by an author who does not find his spineless foolishness charming. I have read most of Waugh's fiction, much of it more than once. Wodehouse wears thin very quickly by comparison.
An odd book. Glad I'm discussing this with my book group as I'm not sure what to think of it right now.
My full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/?p=1976
My full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/?p=1976
Not the most exciting of reads, but it was unexpected at turns, and pretty funny or at least pretty bleak and ironic.
As much as I admire the Brits about their sense of humour, this was not satyrical or funny for me at all, I couldn't care less about any of the characters and the writing felt dry. I found some parts of the plot quite interesting and the story did take a few unexpected turns, but overall, not my cup of tea.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Enjoyed this better the second time around, though still not one of my favorite Waughs. I remembered broad strokes, but not much else. Some comedic moments and some dark moments. Good characters, too.
