Most Popular Books by Evelyn Waugh

Collected for the first time in a single volume: all of the short fiction by one of the 20th century''s wittiest and most trenchant observers of the human comedy.

Brideshead Revisited harkens back to the perceived ''golden age'' prior to World War II. In these halcyon days, Charles Ryder is infatuated with the Marchmains and the rapidly-disappearing world of privilege they inhabit. Enchanted first by Sebastian at Oxford, then by his doomed Catholic family, in particular his remote sister, Julia, Charles comes finally to recognize only his spiritual and social distance from them.

Selected by the Modern Library as one of the 100 best novels of the century, Scoop is a "thoroughly enjoyable, uproariously funny" satire of the journalism business (New York Times). Lord Copper, newspaper magnate and proprietor of the Daily Beast, has always prided himself on his intuitive flair for spotting ace reporters. That is not to say he has not made the odd blunder, however, and may in a moment of weakness make another. Acting on a dinner party tip from Mrs. Algernon Stitch, Lord Copper feels convinced that he has hit on just the chap to cover a promising war in the African Republic of Ishmaelia. So begins Scoop, Waugh''s exuberant comedy of mistaken identity and brilliantly irreverent satire of the hectic pursuit of hot news. "Its timelessness is both hilarious and depressing." --Seth Meyers

"Evelyn Waugh kept a diary almost continuously from the age of seven until a year before his death in 1966. Extracts from the diaries caused sensation when they were published by the ''Observer''. They are a unique literary document of 300,000 words which provide the background to the novels which made Waugh famous, and gives a continuously sharp and baleful view of the social history of our times. The Diaries throw new light not only on Waugh''s work, but on the character of a puzzling, cantankerous and formidable man." --Publisher description.

“A work of art as rich and subtle and unnerving as anything [Waugh] has ever done,” satirizing 1940s California and the Anglo-American cultural divide (New Yorker). Following the death of a friend, the poet and pets'' mortician Dennis Barlow finds himself entering the artificial Hollywood paradise of the Whispering Glades Memorial Park. Within its golden gates, death, American-style, is wrapped up and sold like a package holiday—and Dennis gets drawn into a bizarre love triangle with Aimée Thanatogenos, a naïve Californian corpse beautician, and Mr. Joyboy, a master of the embalmer''s art. Waugh''s dark and savage satire depicts a world where reputation, love, and death cost a very great deal. “Fiendishly entertaining.”—New York Times “As a piece of writing it is nearly faultless; as satire it is an act of devastation.” —The New Republic “Mr. Waugh''s treatment of his macabre material is uninhibited, and wickedly funny . . . as sadistic, playful, and decisive as a cat''s paw on a mouse.” ―Alice S. Morris, New York Times Book Review

Evelyn Waugh''s "Black Mischief" is a satirical exploration of colonialism and the absurdities of modern civilization set in the fictional African country of Azania. Written in 1932, the novel''s style is characterized by Waugh''s sharp wit, incisive prose, and dark humor, which effectively critiques both British imperialism and the naïveté of the expatriate community. The narrative teems with absurd characters and incidents that dissect the pretensions of Western society while revealing the chaotic collision of cultures in the post-World War I era. Waugh''s keen observations and intricate characterizations create a richly textured commentary that balances comedy and tragedy in a landscape marked by moral ambiguity. Evelyn Waugh, a prominent figure of 20th-century literature, drew from his own experiences as a traveler and his elite English upbringing to write poignant critiques of societal norms. His early life, marked by a liberal education and a fascination with the complexities of human nature, informed his biting satire. "Black Mischief" emerges as a reflection of Waugh''s incisive worldview, encapsulating his disillusionment with both the British upper class and colonial attitudes prevalent during his time. I highly recommend "Black Mischief" to readers seeking a provocative narrative that evokes laughter while challenging them to reflect critically on the historical and ethical dimensions of empire. Waugh''s unparalleled ability to blend humor with social commentary makes this novel an essential read for those interested in the intersections of culture, politics, and human folly.

Evelyn Waugh was a loving Husband, a wise and affectionate father and the funniest English novelist of the century. This selection of letters does full justice to these splendid attribute''s " Phillip Toynbee.

Contains correspondence between the novelist Evelyn Waugh and Lady Diana Cooper.

Scoop, Evelyn Waugh''s bestselling comedy of England''s newspaper business of the 1930s is the closest thing foreign correspondents have to a bible -- they swear by it. But few readers are acquainted with Waugh''s memoir of his stint as a London Daily Mail correspondent in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) during the Italian invasion in the 1930s. Waugh in Abyssinia is an entertaining account by a cantankerous and unenthusiastic war reporter that "provides a fascinating short history of Mussolini''s imperial adventure as well as a wickedly witty preview of the characters and follies that figure into Waugh''s famous satire." In the forward, veteran foreign correspondent John Maxwell Hamilton explores in how Waugh ended up in Abyssinia, which real-life events were fictionalized in Scoop, and how this memoir fits into Waugh''s overall literary career, which includes the classic Brideshead Revisited. As Hamilton explains, Waugh was the right man (a misfit), in the right place (a largely unknown country that lent itself to farcical imagination), at the right time (when the correspondents themselves were more interesting than the scraps of news they could get.) The result, Waugh in Abyssinia, is a memoir like no other.

In "Unconditional Surrender," Evelyn Waugh delivers a poignant and satirical exploration of the complexities of war and the absurdity of human behavior amidst chaos. Set during World War II, the novel intricately weaves together the lives of military personnel and civilians, illustrating the profound dislocation and moral ambiguity of the time. Waugh''s distinctive literary style, characterized by sharp dialogue and dark humor, invites readers into a world where loyalty is questioned, and the clash of ideologies creates a rich tapestry of conflict and reconciliation. This work serves as both a historical commentary and a meditation on the human condition, bringing to life a vivid panorama of the British spirit during the tumultuous years of the war. Evelyn Waugh, a prominent figure in 20th-century literature, garnered significant insights from his own experiences as a soldier and war correspondent. His background cultivated a unique perspective that informed his writing, allowing him to portray the absurdities of military life with unflinching realism. Waugh''s sharp wit and keen observations on societal norms expertly culminate in this narrative, reflective of his broader literary themes surrounding irony and existential questioning. Readers seeking a complex yet accessible examination of wartime existence and moral dilemmas will find "Unconditional Surrender" an engaging and thought-provoking read. Waugh''s adept blend of satire and sincerity not only entertains but fosters a deeper understanding of the human experience amidst conflict. This novel stands as a seminal work that resonates with contemporary issues of identity and duty.

Evelyn Waugh''s personal favorite of his novels and "a superlatively well done book" (Chicago Tribune) set in the age of Emperor Constantine. Helena is the intelligent, horse-mad daughter of a British chieftain who is thrown into marriage with the man who will one day become the Roman emperor Constantius. Leaving home for lands unknown, she spends her adulthood seeking truth in the religions, mythologies, and philosophies of the declining ancient world, and becomes initiated into Christianity just as it is recognized as the religion of the Roman Empire. Helena--a novel that Evelyn Waugh considered to be his favorite, and most ambitious, work--deftly traverses the forces of corruption, treachery, enlightenment, and political intrigue of Imperial Rome as it brings to life an inspiring heroine.

3 stories based on the author''s experiences in World War II.

In "Vile Bodies," Evelyn Waugh crafts a sharp and satirical exploration of the hedonistic atmosphere of the 1920s British society. The narrative follows the misadventures of Adam Fenwick-Syme, a disillusioned young writer navigating the tumultuous world of flappers, parties, and the insatiable pursuit of fame. Waugh employs a distinctive blend of humor and irony, using rapid dialogue and vivid scenes to depict a generation caught in the throes of excess and moral decay. This literary work stands as a poignant social commentary on the post-World War I disillusionment, showcasing Waugh''s keen observations and acerbic wit, inviting readers to reflect on the empty pursuits of his characters against a backdrop of societal instability. Evelyn Waugh, a prominent figure in 20th-century literature, drew inspiration from his own experiences in the vibrant yet chaotic circles of London. His upper-middle-class upbringing and education at Oxford provided him with a unique lens through which to critique the superficiality of the era. Waugh''s own engagements in literary and social circles mirrored those of his characters, offering an authentic perspective that enriches the novel''s biting insights. "Vile Bodies" is highly recommended for readers who appreciate incisive satire and a deep dive into the complexities of human behavior. Waugh''s masterful storytelling and sharp wit will resonate with anyone intrigued by the follies of youth, the fleeting nature of fame, and the quest for genuine meaning in a world rife with superficiality.

English Soldiers On Dangerous Missions During The World War.

The "wise, amusing, and beautifully written" (Commonweal) second installment in Evelyn Waugh''s masterful trilogy of World War Two novels. Fueled by idealism and eagerness to contribute to the war effort, Guy Crouchback becomes attached to a commando unit undergoing training on the Hebridean isle of Mugg, where the whisky flows freely and respect must be paid to the laird. But the comedy of Mugg is soon followed by the bitterness of Crete, where chaos reigns and a difficult evacuation must be accomplished. Officers and Gentlemen is the second novel in Waugh''s brilliant Sword of Honor trilogy recording the tumultuous wartime adventures of Guy Crouchback (called "the finest work of fiction in English to emerge from World War II" by the Atlantic Monthly), which also comprises Men at Arms and Unconditional Surrender.

Between 1929 and 1935 Evelyn Waugh travelled widely and wrote four books about his experiences. In this collection he writes, with his customary wit and perception, about a cruise around the Mediterranean; a train trip from Djibouti to Abyssinia to attend Emperor Haile Selassie''s coronation in 1930; his travels in Aden, Zanzibar, Kenya and the Congo, coping with unbearable heat and plagued by mosquitoes; a journey to Guyana and Brazil; and his return to Addis Ababa in 1935 to report on the war between Abyssinia and Italy. Waugh''s adventures on his travels gave him the ideas for such classic novels as Scoop and Black Mischief.

Brideshead Revisited is Evelyn Waugh''s stunning novel of duty and desire set amongst the decadent, faded glory of the English aristocracy in the run-up to the Second World War. The most nostalgic and reflective of Evelyn Waugh''s novels, Brideshead Revisited looks back to the golden age before the Second World War. It tells the story of Charles Ryder''s infatuation with the Marchmains and the rapidly disappearing world of privilege they inhabit. Enchanted first by Sebastian Flyte at Oxford, then by his doomed Catholic family, in particular his remote sister, Julia, Charles comes finally to recognise his spiritual and social distance from them. Evelyn Waugh (1903-66) was born in Hampstead, second son of Arthur Waugh, publisher and literary critic, and brother of Alec Waugh, the popular novelist. In 1928 he published his first work, a life of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and his first novel, Decline and Fall, which was soon followed by Vile Bodies (1930), A Handful of Dust (1934) and Scoop (1938). In 1939 he was commissioned in the Royal Marines and later transferred to the Royal Horse Guards, serving in the Middle East and in Yugoslavia. In 1942 he published Put Out More Flags and then in 1945 Brideshead Revisited. Men at Arms (1952) was the first volume of ''The Sword of Honour'' trilogy, and won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize; the other volumes, Officers and Gentlemen and Unconditional Surrender, followed in 1955 and 1961. If you enjoyed Brideshead Revisited, you might like Waugh''s Vile Bodies, also available in Penguin Classics. ''Lush and evocative ... Expresses at once the profundity of change and the indomitable endurance of the human spirit'' The Times

"An eminently readable comedy of modern war" (New York Times), Men at Arms is the first novel in Evelyn Waugh''s brilliant Sword of Honor trilogy. Guy Crouchback, determined to get into the war, takes a commission in the Royal Corps of Halberdiers. His spirits high, he sees all the trimmings but none of the action. And his first campaign, an abortive affair on the West African coastline, ends with an escapade that seriously blots his Halberdier copybook. Men at Arms is the first novel in Waugh''s brilliant Sword of Honor trilogy recording the tumultuous wartime adventures of Guy Crouchback ("the finest work of fiction in English to emerge from World War II" --Atlantic Monthly), which also comprises Officers and Gentlemen and Unconditional Surrender.

Evelyn Waugh''s acclaimed World War II trilogy comprises the three acclaimed novels Men at Arms, Officers and Gentlemen, and Unconditional Surrender. This narrative spanning the war, based in part on Evelyn Waugh''s own experiences as an army officer, is the author''s surpassing achievement as a novelist. Its central character is Guy Crouchback, head of an ancient but decayed Catholic family, who at first discovers new purpose in the challenge to defend Christian values against Nazi barbarism, but then gradually finds the complexities and cruelties of war overwhelming. Though often somber, Sword of Honor is also a brilliant comedy, peopled by the fantastic figures so familiar from Waugh''s early satires. The deepest pleasures these novels afford come from observing a great satiric writer employ his gifts with extraordinary subtlety, delicacy, and human feeling, for purposes that are ultimately anything but satiric.

The Jungle, as it turns out, is not the best place to forgot your troubles. Tony Last has it all: A loving wife, a delightful son, and a splendid home in the countryside. Or so he thinks. His life is left in shambles when, in the wake of his son''s death, he discovers that his wife has been having an affair and wants to divorce him. To get away from it all, he joins an expedition to Brazil, but the incompetence of its organizer may prove to be even more trouble for Tony.

Waugh brings some of his best characters back for another romp. Against the backdrop of the Phoney War, Alistair Trumpington wants only the chance to fight for a worthy cause, but instead he finds himself stuck in a never-ending series of military maneuvers, getting him nowhere closer to any front.Meanwhile, the scoundrel Basil Seal sees the burgeoning war as an opportunity to help only himself.

A brilliant satire of 1920s British culture.Poor Paul Pennyfeather. One night of drunken shenanigans, and a spot of public pantslessness and he finds himself expelled from Oxford and disinherited by default. What ever will he do? A teaching job at a small school in Wales should be nice and peaceful, right? Perhaps not so much...