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izumen's review against another edition
Жестока сатира на английското общество от началото на XX век. Дебютен роман за Ивлин Уо.
scarletohhara's review against another edition
3.0
I definitely found the book funny in a lot of places, and that's because of the language used to describe the mundane of the activities in a regular life... But I didn't care enough for the plot.
narmi's review against another edition
2.0
If you liked “A handful of dust” and thought “is it worth reading this”, my answer is no. It’s flimsy in plot and its humour dependent on a certain perspective on the world. The foreword tries to airwave away the crude racism by saying the Welsh and Black characters are not villains. In addition one of the main recommended reviews that turns up on Goodreads is a man pontificating at great length about the use of racial slurs in a way that suggests an unsavoury relish. I gave it two stars for the prison section which I thought was fun.
lokroma's review against another edition
3.0
Witty and engaging satire of pretty much everything in the England of its time, but racial slurs and epithets were uncomfortable.
a_o_on_the_go's review against another edition
4.0
A superb social satire of England in 1920s - examining cultural confusion, morality and social bedlam. Subtle and finely tuned dry, black comedy driven by smart, telling and pithy conversation.
Of Evelyn Waugh, I want more.
Of Evelyn Waugh, I want more.
imogenrobinson__'s review against another edition
1.0
Meh. I liked Grimes as a character and there are some good lines in there, but overall it’s a farcical book which I didn’t find all that funny. I didn’t really take anything from it either, apart from maybe that the world is a very random place and fortune’s wheel can spin at any time and land you “in the soup”. Perhaps I’m not intelligent enough to understand Waugh’s satire.
mtustingore's review against another edition
4.0
A rather amusing look at how the British class system largely protects their own, no matter how much they should not be protected. I don't think the book would be very enjoyable to those who do not appreciate its sense of humour and would also be confusing for those without a knowledge of the these sorts of British institutions, but for the right person it's a great read. Some aspects are a bit dated given how at times the book is a product of its time (1928), but perhaps what's more frustrating is that many of these societal problems in the British class system continue to persist today.
rogerb's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I first read this at John Botham's suggestion in ... 1969 or so. It was set as Christmas homework by Hugh's group.
I had remembeed the plot, but had not remembred, or perhaps just not realisd at the time, how funny it is. Really very funny for mid-20s.
I had also failed to recall the casual way Waugh used terms for other nationalities that would not get printed today, at least not in his manner. It grates most awfully and it is hard to say "that was then, this is now". Waugh may say he was merely passing comment on the debauched utters who feature in the tale.
It was his first book, and i feel that this is clear. Subsequent books - even the comedies - perhaps have more depth.
I had remembeed the plot, but had not remembred, or perhaps just not realisd at the time, how funny it is. Really very funny for mid-20s.
I had also failed to recall the casual way Waugh used terms for other nationalities that would not get printed today, at least not in his manner. It grates most awfully and it is hard to say "that was then, this is now". Waugh may say he was merely passing comment on the debauched utters who feature in the tale.
It was his first book, and i feel that this is clear. Subsequent books - even the comedies - perhaps have more depth.