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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
had me genuinely laughing out loud at the sheer bizarre scenarios that took place
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
"There was a pause, during which Mr Salter planned a frank and disarming opening. 'How are your roots, Boot?' It came out wrong.
'How are your boots, root?' he asked.
William glumly awaiting some fulminating rebuke, started and said, 'I beg your pardon?'
'I mean brute,' said Mr Salter.
William gave it up. Mr Salter gave it up. They sat staring at one another, fascinated, hopeless. Then:
'How's hunting?' asked Mr Salter. 'Foxes pretty plentiful?'
Scoop is a tale of mistaken identity and a journalistic adventure in a war-torn country. John Courtenay Boot is an aspiring writer, who wishes to flex his journalistic muscles by working as a reporter in the troubled country of Ishmaelia. A lady-friend of his recommends him to Lord Copper - the millionaire newspaper chief of the "Beast" - saying he would be the ideal man for the job. Unfortunately, there is another Mr Boot working for the Beast newspaper - William Boot (John's distant cousin). William's remit is a small section entitled "Lush Places" - where he innocently reports on such things as badgers and great crested grebe. Thinking that William Boot is the man that Lady Stitch has recommended, Lord Copper (through his snivelling aide Mr Salter) despatch a rather puzzled and apprehensive William off to report on the uprising in an African country.
Part Two sees William heading to Ishmaelia. He finds love in Africa, and is rather pathetically used by the piece of love interest. He also finds that not a lot is happening in Ishmaelia worthy to report back to England, and frustrates the editor by cabling back items about the weather. Until he makes a real Scoop - without even realising he has!
Part Three of the book brings William back to England. Once again there is a mix-up in identity when it comes to a Knighthood, and yet another at the honorary banquet, which leaves Lord Copper at a bit of a loss when he comes to make his speech.
This is a fun light-hearted read. I wouldn't say it was absolutely hilarious, but there were several episodes in the book which made me laugh - mainly in the first and third parts. Part Two I found a little heavy-going, with some racial comments and names that made my toes curl. It is almost PG Wodehouse-esque, but not quite. It's far-fetched, it's an escape from normal life, and that's what I want in a book sometimes. A bit silly, but yet quite engaging. It's four stars from me.
"PLEASE DON'T WORRY QUITE SAFE AND WELL IN FACT RATHER ENJOYING THINGS WEATHER IMPROVING WILL CABLE AGAIN IF THERE IS ANY NEWS YOURS BOOT"
'How are your boots, root?' he asked.
William glumly awaiting some fulminating rebuke, started and said, 'I beg your pardon?'
'I mean brute,' said Mr Salter.
William gave it up. Mr Salter gave it up. They sat staring at one another, fascinated, hopeless. Then:
'How's hunting?' asked Mr Salter. 'Foxes pretty plentiful?'
Scoop is a tale of mistaken identity and a journalistic adventure in a war-torn country. John Courtenay Boot is an aspiring writer, who wishes to flex his journalistic muscles by working as a reporter in the troubled country of Ishmaelia. A lady-friend of his recommends him to Lord Copper - the millionaire newspaper chief of the "Beast" - saying he would be the ideal man for the job. Unfortunately, there is another Mr Boot working for the Beast newspaper - William Boot (John's distant cousin). William's remit is a small section entitled "Lush Places" - where he innocently reports on such things as badgers and great crested grebe. Thinking that William Boot is the man that Lady Stitch has recommended, Lord Copper (through his snivelling aide Mr Salter) despatch a rather puzzled and apprehensive William off to report on the uprising in an African country.
Part Two sees William heading to Ishmaelia. He finds love in Africa, and is rather pathetically used by the piece of love interest. He also finds that not a lot is happening in Ishmaelia worthy to report back to England, and frustrates the editor by cabling back items about the weather. Until he makes a real Scoop - without even realising he has!
Part Three of the book brings William back to England. Once again there is a mix-up in identity when it comes to a Knighthood, and yet another at the honorary banquet, which leaves Lord Copper at a bit of a loss when he comes to make his speech.
This is a fun light-hearted read. I wouldn't say it was absolutely hilarious, but there were several episodes in the book which made me laugh - mainly in the first and third parts. Part Two I found a little heavy-going, with some racial comments and names that made my toes curl. It is almost PG Wodehouse-esque, but not quite. It's far-fetched, it's an escape from normal life, and that's what I want in a book sometimes. A bit silly, but yet quite engaging. It's four stars from me.
"PLEASE DON'T WORRY QUITE SAFE AND WELL IN FACT RATHER ENJOYING THINGS WEATHER IMPROVING WILL CABLE AGAIN IF THERE IS ANY NEWS YOURS BOOT"
I am such a huge fan of Evelyn Waugh. I absolutely adore his work. This book is perhaps one of his more recognized novels, so I was eager to read it. Unfortunately I was left a little disappointed, but perhaps only due to the hype. It is a lovely book, but just isn't as brilliant as some of his other novels, such as Decline & Fall, and Vile Bodies.
Laughed 'til I cried at the sheer absurdity of this 1930's satire - however, warning this is a totally non pc novel, which means readers must look beyond the views of the time. I did love the naevity of the main character which was someone I could imagine being if I took a trip back into 1930's journalistic society.
Interesting take on 1930's journalism that is very funny at times.
this book was pretty much just a let down??
having ADORED decline and fall, i felt like this was just not up to par
it was funny, it just wasn't the funniess i thought evelyn waugh was supposed to live up to
having ADORED decline and fall, i felt like this was just not up to par
it was funny, it just wasn't the funniess i thought evelyn waugh was supposed to live up to