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benjfleck 's review for:
A Handful of Dust
by Evelyn Waugh
"A Handful of Dust" is sort of like the British version of the Great Gatsby, but with no redeemable or likable characters. The novel follows a wealthy married couple, Tony and Brenda Last, who live in a wealthy estate in Britain in the 1920s. Tony is a dumbfounded bloke and Brenda is a bored, pitiful wench. Let's just say things don't go to great for them because of their own lack of self-awareness.
The novel is described as a witty satire. I didn't find it to be a "witty" but more critical in a obvious matter. I found myself disgusted at the shallowness and callousness of the society portrayed. Brenda Last is one of the most despicable and least likable characters I have ever read about. Beaver, Tony Last, and the whole lot of them aren't much better either. Poor Waugh must of had a very terrible view of society. I'd like to think that humanity hasn't (or wasn't) ever this full of shit!
That being said, Waugh has a way with words. The story floats off the page and uses a lot of great descriptive words. He describes his settings and characters very well even though his characters are so full of terrible qualities. Waugh is especially good at writing dialogue.
I tried to root for Tony Last or find a way to really be on his side, but he just screws himself in the end. And that ending -- Can we just talk about that ending? Can we? Ya know what I'm talking about... what was that?!
I know this is satire, but I don't know enough about British society in the 20s to really know what Waugh is getting at. Also, I'm not an English Lit. Teacher (surprise), so I don't really know what Waugh was trying to infer by that last bit either. One thing is crystal clear though: Waugh very much disapproved of the stupid, pointless, and self-loving British Upper Class.
The novel is described as a witty satire. I didn't find it to be a "witty" but more critical in a obvious matter. I found myself disgusted at the shallowness and callousness of the society portrayed. Brenda Last is one of the most despicable and least likable characters I have ever read about. Beaver, Tony Last, and the whole lot of them aren't much better either. Poor Waugh must of had a very terrible view of society. I'd like to think that humanity hasn't (or wasn't) ever this full of shit!
That being said, Waugh has a way with words. The story floats off the page and uses a lot of great descriptive words. He describes his settings and characters very well even though his characters are so full of terrible qualities. Waugh is especially good at writing dialogue.
I tried to root for Tony Last or find a way to really be on his side, but he just screws himself in the end. And that ending -- Can we just talk about that ending? Can we? Ya know what I'm talking about... what was that?!
I know this is satire, but I don't know enough about British society in the 20s to really know what Waugh is getting at. Also, I'm not an English Lit. Teacher (surprise), so I don't really know what Waugh was trying to infer by that last bit either. One thing is crystal clear though: Waugh very much disapproved of the stupid, pointless, and self-loving British Upper Class.