English novelist, Evelyn Waugh, is celebrated for his sharp wit, insightful social commentary, and masterful storytelling. His novels, spanning a range of genres from satire to tragedy, offer a profound exploration of the human condition, particularly the complexities of class, faith, and love amidst the turbulence of the 20th century.
Waugh’s early novels, such as Decline and Fall (1928) and Vile Bodies (1930), are characterized by their biting satire of the upper classes and their hedonistic lifestyles. He exposes the follies and excesses of the privileged, weaving together humour and social commentary to create a scathing indictment of the pre-war era.
As Waugh’s writing matured, he delved into more complex and introspective themes, exploring the depths of human emotion and the struggle for meaning in a rapidly changing world. Brideshead Revisited (1945), a masterpiece of English literature, is a poignant and moving exploration of love, loss, and faith. Set against the backdrop of a declining aristocratic family, the novel delves into the complexities of human relationships and the enduring power of love.
Waugh’s Sword of Honour trilogy, comprising Men at Arms (1952), Officers and Gentlemen (1955), and Unconditional Surrender (1961), offers a compelling portrait of Guy Crouchback’s experiences in the British Army during World War II. The trilogy explores themes of duty, honour, faith, and the struggle to maintain one’s humanity amidst the chaos and brutality of war.
Waugh’s later novels, such as The Loved One (1948) and Basil Seal Rides Again (1963), continued to showcase his sharp wit and satirical flair. The Loved One, a darkly comic novel set in the American funeral industry, skewers the commercialization of death and the superficiality of a culture obsessed with appearances. Basil Seal Rides Again, a return to the character of Basil Seal, offers a satirical take on post-war England, exploring themes of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness.
Through his diverse body of work, Evelyn Waugh established himself as one of the most significant novelists of the 20th century. His sharp wit, insightful social commentary, and masterful storytelling continue to captivate readers, offering a profound and enduring exploration of the human condition.
Here are all Evelyn Waugh books, in order:
Decline and Fall, 1928
Evelyn Waugh’s debut novel, Decline and Fall, is a satirical masterpiece that follows the misadventures of a group of upper-class Oxford undergraduates in the interwar years. The novel is marked by Waugh’s sharp wit and biting social commentary, and it offers a hilarious and insightful look at the fecklessness and moral decay of the British aristocracy.
Vile Bodies, 1930
Waugh’s second novel is a similarly satirical look at the Bright Young Things of the 1920s. The novel is set against the backdrop of a world on the brink of collapse, and it follows a group of young people who are determined to party the night away, regardless of the consequences. Vile Bodies is a darkly comic and cautionary tale about the dangers of hedonism and escapism.
Black Mischief, 1932
Waugh’s third novel is a political satire that takes aim at the excesses of colonialism. The novel is set in the fictional African country of Azania, where a group of British eccentrics attempt to establish a new empire. Black Mischief is a scathing indictment of British imperialism, and it is one of Waugh’s most hilarious and biting novels.
A Handful of Dust, 1934
A Handful of Dust is a poignant and satirical exploration of the decline of the British aristocracy. The novel follows the story of Tony Last, a wealthy landowner who abandons his wife and son in pursuit of a life of luxury and pleasure. A Handful of Dust is a powerful and moving novel that explores themes of love, loss, and social change.
Scoop, 1938
An hilarious and satirical novel about the world of journalism, the novel follows the misadventures of William Boot, a young journalist who is sent to cover an international crisis in a small town in England. Scoop is a fast-paced and entertaining novel that skewers the pretensions of the media and the absurdity of the modern world.
Put Out More Flags, 1942
Put Out More Flags is a darkly comic novel about the upper classes during World War II. The novel follows a group of wealthy and eccentric characters as they grapple with the challenges of war and the changing social order. It is a sharp and witty novel that captures the absurdity and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Brideshead Revisited, 1945
In Evelyn Waugh’s masterpiece Charles Ryder, a young man with humble origins, finds himself drawn into the captivating world of the aristocratic Flyte family. As he becomes infatuated with Sebastian Flyte, he is granted access to the opulent Brideshead Castle, a realm of beauty, privilege, and profound emotional turmoil. Waugh’s lyrical prose and insightful exploration of love, loss, and faith make Brideshead Revisited a timeless classic.
The Loved One, 1948
The Loved One, takes aim at the American death industry, exposing the grotesque commercialization of funerals and the superficiality of a culture obsessed with appearances. Dennis Barlow, a young Englishman, finds himself entangled in the bizarre world of Whispering Glades, a Hollywood funeral parlour where death is transformed into a macabre spectacle. Waugh’s razor-sharp wit and biting social commentary make The Loved One a darkly comic and disturbing exploration of the modern obsession with death and status.
Men at Arms, 1952
Evelyn Waugh’s Sword of Honour trilogy opens with Men at Arms, a humorous and insightful portrayal of Guy Crouchback, a young man who joins the British Army during World War II. As Crouchback navigates the challenges of military life, Waugh masterfully blends humour and pathos, exploring themes of duty, honour, and friendship amidst the chaos of war. Men at Arms offers a captivating glimpse into the world of soldiers and the resilience of the human spirit in times of adversity.
The Holy Places, 1952
In The Holy Places, a group of eccentric pilgrims embarks on a journey to the Holy Land, seeking spiritual enlightenment amidst the tumultuous backdrop of post-war Europe. Waugh’s sharp wit and astute observations of human nature come to the fore as he explores themes of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in a world grappling with uncertainty. The Holy Places is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on the complexities of religious pilgrimage.
Love Among the Ruins, 1953
Love Among the Ruins is a poignant and introspective novel set against the backdrop of a decaying aristocratic family in post-war England. As the once-grand Marchmain family faces financial ruin and social decline, Waugh interweaves themes of love, loss, and the struggle to maintain dignity in the face of adversity. Love Among the Ruins is a moving exploration of the human condition in a world undergoing rapid transformation.
Tactical Exercise / The Wish, 1954
Here Evelyn Waugh presents two contrasting novellas that delve into the complexities of human relationships and the transformative power of love. Tactical Exercise follows the misadventures of a group of soldiers during a military exercise, exposing the absurdity and futility of war while also revealing moments of camaraderie and unexpected connections. In contrast. Together, these novellas offer a nuanced and insightful commentary on the human experience.
Officers and Gentlemen, 1955
In the second instalment of his Sword of Honour trilogy, Guy Crouchback’s experiences in the British Army during World War II take center stage. As Crouchback grapples with his own sense of duty, honour, and faith, Waugh offers a compelling portrait of a man at war. Officers and Gentlemen continues the exploration of themes that defined Men at Arms, further deepening the reader’s understanding of Waugh’s protagonist and the complexities of the human condition in wartime.
Unconditional Surrender / The End of the Battle, 1961
The third and final instalment of the Sword of Honour trilogy, brings Guy Crouchback’s journey to an end as he navigates the aftermath of World War II. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty of the post-war world, Crouchback’s personal struggles and spiritual questioning take center stage. Waugh’s storytelling and his insightful exploration of themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love make Unconditional Surrender a powerful and moving conclusion to the trilogy.
Basil Seal Rides Again, 1963
Here Waugh reprises the mischievous character of Basil Seal, a flamboyant and amoral adventurer who finds himself embroiled in a series of misadventures after returning home from World War II. With his signature wit and satirical flair, Waugh skewers the social and political landscape of post-war England, while also exploring themes of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness. Basil Seal Rides Again is a darkly comic and thought-provoking novel that showcases Waugh’s unique ability to blend satire with poignant social commentary.
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And that’s all Evelyn Waugh books in order. Did you have any idea Evelyn Waugh wrote quite so many books?