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A review by mremmet
A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh
3.0
I wish I could give this book more stars, the pretentious side of me really wants to, but I cannot. Although the book is very wry and definitely a shrewd social commentary on the decline of the upper class throughout the early 20th century. However, without the introduction in the Penguin edition, I would have missed the finer points. The imagery definitely requires reflection, and in my case, footnotes. Overall it was an enjoyable light read to pass the time. Therefore the book gets three stars.
All of that said, the book makes it clear that Waugh was a masterful writer. The references and allusions in the novel that make it quite as cutting as it is are truly genius. If I were rating the novel on skill alone it would easily get 5/5 stars. That's not what I'm doing here though, my rating is a reflection of how much I enjoyed the novel overall. Definitely worth the read but nothing utterly mindblowing in terms of storyline.
All of that said, the book makes it clear that Waugh was a masterful writer. The references and allusions in the novel that make it quite as cutting as it is are truly genius. If I were rating the novel on skill alone it would easily get 5/5 stars. That's not what I'm doing here though, my rating is a reflection of how much I enjoyed the novel overall. Definitely worth the read but nothing utterly mindblowing in terms of storyline.