The first edition of the novel was published in 1934, and was written by evelyn waugh. Its a popular book for studying satire and its wellreceived by critics. Evelyn waugh books list of books by author evelyn waugh. It tells the story of tony last, who, to the irritation of his wife, is inordinately obsessed with his victorian gothic country house and life. A handful of dust, satirical novel by evelyn waugh, published in 1934. Brilliantly combining tragedy, comedy and savage irony, a handful of dust captures the irresponsible mood of the crazy and sterile generation between the wars. In 1928 he published his first work, a life of dante gabriel rosetti, and his first novel, decline and fall, which was soon followed by vile bodies 1930, black mischief 1932, a handful of dust 1934 and scoop 1938. This novel contains familiar elements, the most obvious of. A handful of dust by evelyn waugh overview selected by modern library as one of the 100 best novels of the century, this absolutely delightful novel new york times movingly and comically chronicles the breakdown of a marriage and the disintegration. First published in 1934, it is often grouped with the authors early, satirical comic novels for which he became famous in the pre world war ii years. Buy a cheap copy of a handful of dust book by evelyn waugh. A handful of dust and decline and fall by evelyn waugh. A handful of dust on bbc radio 4 the evelyn waugh society.
Waugh is the great chronicler of midwar upper class british. Published in 1934 by back bay books, it tells the story of rich characters living in england who have tragically comic lives. Precipitated by the failure of waugh s marriage and by his conversion to roman catholicism, the. His first novel, decline and fall, was soon followed by vile bodies 1930, black mischief 1932, a handful of dust 1934 and scoop 1938. Buy a handful of dust by waugh, evelyn from amazons fiction books store. Here are the natives of a highly articulated culture that has no myths, only rituals. The sacred and profane memories of captain charles ryder, and scoop, and more on. A handful of dust 9780316926058 by waugh, evelyn and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Jacketed evelyn waughs 1934 novel is a bitingly funny vision of aristocratic decadence in england between the wars. During these years he also travelled extensively and converted to catholicism. A handful of dust penguin modern classics series by evelyn waugh. This book is the 330th greatest fiction book of all time as determined by.
First published in 1934, it is often grouped with the authors early, satirical comic novels for which. His most famous works include the early satires decline and fall 1928 and a handful of dust 1934, the novel brideshead. A handful of dust is a classic satirical novel by evelyn waugh. Evelyn waugh has 182 books on goodreads with 397124 ratings. A handful of dust literature essays are academic essays for citation. British literature, classics, european literature, fiction, literature, novels.
A handful of dust is evelyn waughs scathing commentary on the wellmannered death struggles of the upper classes an irrepressibly amusing picture of society politely blowing its own brains out, with a defiant smile. The novel, which is often considered waugh s best, examines the themes of contemporary amorality and the death of spiritual values. Aug 19, 2014 evelyn waugh was born in hampstead in 1903, and educated at lancing and hertford college, oxford. The first book was brideshead revisited which i enjoyed from start to finish. Waughs new style, which is so closely associated with brideshead revisited 1945, was actually introduced in a handful of dust. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of a handful of dust by evelyn waugh. Buy a handful of dust by evelyn waugh from waterstones today. The loved one and a handful of dust by evelyn waugh.
Dec 11, 2012 few writers have walked the line between farce and tragedy as nimbly as evelyn waugh, who employed the conventions of the comic novel to chip away at the already crumbling english class system. Evelyn waugh s a handful of dust is one more example. The present document was derived from pdf source available under the creative. His most famous works include the early satires decline and fall 1928 and a handful of dust 1934, the novel brideshead revisited 1945 and the second world.
Jun 18, 2018 evelyn waugh was born in hampstead in 1903 and educated at hertford college, oxford. Jacketedevelyn waughs 1934 novel is a bitingly funny vision of aristocratic decadence in england between the wars. Few writers have walked the line between farce and tragedy as nimbly as evelyn waugh, who employed. First published in 1934, it is often grouped with the authors early, satirical comic novels for which he became famous in the preworld war ii years. Like a magicians, all their tricks are in their top hats. Precipitated by the failure of waughs marriage and by his conversion to roman catholicism, the. When the going was good and the loved one preceded men at arms, which came out in 1952, the first volume of the sword of honour. The breakdown of his own marriage is reflected in the domestic drama in a handful of dust. All over england people were waking up, queasy and despondent. Waugh is a highly regarded writer who based a handful of dust on his own.
A handful of dust is a scathing commentary on the wellmannered death struggles of the english upper classes in the between wars society to which waugh belonged. When lady brenda last embarks on an affair with the worthless john beaver out of boredom. Waugh s early novels, decline and fall 1927, vile bodies 1930, and a handful of dust 1934, established him as one of the funniest and most brilliant satirists the british had seen in years. In a novel that combines tragedy, comedy, and savage irony, evelyn waugh indelibly captures the. Evelyn waughs a handful of dust, on several endofcentury top 100 lists,was published on september 3, 1934. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 308 pages and is available in paperback format. T he characters of evelyn waugh are a lesson in the other. This penguin modern classics edition is edited with an introduction and notes by robert murray davis.
The main characters of this fiction, classics story are tony last, brenda last. He is the author of not just one, but a few masterpieces. After seven years of marriage, the beautiful lady brenda last has grown bored with life at hetton abbey, the gothic mansion that is the pride and joy of her husband, tony. Written in 1934, a handful of dust is listed as number 34 of the modern librarys 100 best english language novels of the 20th century. A handful of dust is a novel by the british writer evelyn waugh. The breakdown of the last marriage is a painful, comic reworking of waugh s own divorce, and a symbol of the disintegration of society. According to the daily mail weekend magazine radio listings the critics gave the thumbs down to this evelyn waugh novel when it was published in 1934. Commentators have, however, drawn attention to its serious undertones, and have regarded it as a transitional work pointing. After seven years of marriage, the beautiful lady brenda last is bored with life at hetton abbey, the gothic mansion that is the pride and joy of her husband, tony. Contents chapter one5 chapter two18 chapter three112 chapter four232 chapter five283 chapter six378 chapter seven403 2. His 1934 novel, a handful of dust, is a sublime example of his bleak satirical style. The bbc will rebroadcast a 1996 twohour adaptation of waugh s 1934 novel a handful of dust. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction.
Books by evelyn waugh author of brideshead revisited. This page contains details about the fiction book a handful of dust by evelyn waugh published in 1934. Understanding why he wrote the novel like he did helped me come to terms with the books unexpected twist. Evelyn waugh s 1934 novel makes the transition from his earlier, satirical works into realism. The novel, which is often considered waughs best, examines the. Eliots the waste land i will show you fear in a handful of dust. In 1928 he published his first novel, decline and fall, which was soon followed by vile bodies, black mischief 1932, a handful of dust 1934 and scoop 1938.
The story is abundantly sarcastic and cleverly funny in a dark way. Evelyn waugh was born in hampstead in 1903 and educated at hertford college, oxford. Jacketed evelyn waugh s 1934 novel is a bitingly funny vision of aristocratic decadence in england between the wars. May 31, 2012 evelyn waugh was born in hampstead in 1903. She drifts into an affair with the shallow socialite john beaver and forsakes tony for the belgravia set. A handful of dust by evelyn waugh the 330th greatest. Free download or read online a handful of dust pdf epub book. First published in 1934, and read in a gorgeous penguin modern classic edition. A handful of dust is set in 1930s victorian england, and focuses on the breakdown of the marriage of tony and brenda last. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on.
In 1942 he published put out more flags and then in 1945 brideshead revisited. What seems like another lively and witty portrait of the bright young things turns into something bleak and grave. He was particularly skillful at poking fun at the scramble for prominence among the upper classes and the struggle between the generations. Eliots modernist poem the waste land, evelyn waugh s a handful of dust is a chronicle of britains decadence and social disintegration between the first and second world wars. Evelyn waugh was an outstanding, phenomenal genius. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read a handful of dust. Before you start complete a handful of dust pdf epub by evelyn waugh download, you can read below technical ebook details. A handful of dust by evelyn waugh styled by limpidsoft. Waugh took the title for his novel from a line in t. This is a terrific edition of a mildly neglected classic. A handful of dust by waugh, evelyn and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The novel, which is often considered waughs best, examines the themes of contemporary amorality and the death of spiritual values. A handful of dust by evelyn waugh penguin random house. Laced with cynicism and truth, a handful of dust satirizes a. The bbc will rebroadcast a 1996 twohour adaptation of waughs 1934 novel a handful of dust. A handful of dustthe loved onemen at arms by evelyn waugh. A different view of a handful of dust the evelyn waugh society. See all books authored by evelyn waugh, including brideshead revisited. Despite a handful of dust boasting one of the darkest endings of all waughs production, there is still room for a faint hope, that is, quoting teddy,one day to restore hetton to the splendor that it had enjoyed in the days of his cousin tony or, metaphorically, to backtrack, to regain possession of the glorious chivalrous values. Commentators have, however, drawn attention to its serious undertones, and have regarded it as a transitional work pointing towards waugh s catholic postwar fiction. Books of the times by anatole broyard a handful of dust by evelyn waugh he characters of evelyn waugh are a lesson in the other end of anthropology. Pdf a handful of dust book by evelyn waugh free download. When the going was good and the loved one preceded men at arms, which came.
A handful of dust by evelyn waugh he characters of evelyn waugh are a lesson in the other end of anthropology. A handful of dust the loved one men at arms by evelyn waugh. The title of this book is a handful of dust and it was written by evelyn waugh. Nov 09, 2019 a handful of dust by evelyn waugh ebook details. John waugh 28 october 190310 april 1966 was an english writer of novels, biographies and travel books. Evelyn waughs a handful of dust, on several end of century top 100 lists,was published on september 3, 1934.