A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh is a darkly humorous satire focusing on the lives of the British aristocracy in the 1930s. The story revolves around the Last family, particularly Tony and Brenda Last, as their marriage disintegrates due to infidelity and moral decay. The novel transitions from a light drawing-room comedy to a deeper exploration of selfishness and amorality, culminating in a disturbing vision of the consequences of societal decadence. Waugh's keen observational writing style captures the shallow social niceties and moral depravity of the characters, leading to unexpected and unsettling plot twists.

Characters:

The characters are primarily unlikable, embodying various negative traits of the British upper class, leading to their eventual downfalls.

Writing/Prose:

The writing combines sharp satire and dry humor, moving from lighthearted observations to profound commentary on society.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores the collapse of an upper-class marriage filled with absurdities and dark comedy, ultimately concluding with tragic events.

Setting:

The story is rooted in mid-20th century England, juxtaposing the decaying gentry against a backdrop of the lush Amazon jungle.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates, beginning slowly before accelerating into a gripping and chaotic conclusion.

“No one I am thankful to say,” said Mrs. Beaver, “except two housemaids who lost their heads and jumped through a glass roof into the paved court. They were in no danger. The fire never properly reach...

Notes:

A Handful of Dust is set in mid-1930s England and critiques the upper-class society's decadence.

The novel explores the consequences of a failed marriage, drawing from Waugh's personal experiences.

Tony and Brenda Last are the main characters, living in their inherited family estate, Hetton Abbey.

The estate is described as a gothic castle with medieval-themed rooms and extensive grounds.

Brenda becomes bored with their life and starts an affair with John Beaver, a social climber.

Waugh uses humor to depict absurd situations, highlighting the characters' flaws and societal behaviors.

Initially a comedy, the novel shifts to dark psychological suspense in its second half.

The book reflects Waugh's view of life as chaotic and absurd, featuring lengthy amusing dialogues and quirky names.

Tony's drastic personality change in the second half of the novel surprises readers and adds complexity to his character.

There are two endings to the novel, with the original ending featuring a descent into madness in the Amazon; readers are encouraged to find copies with both versions.

Waugh's prose combines dark humor with biting satire of the English upper class, showcasing characters devoid of moral depth.

The title is derived from T.S. Eliot's poem 'The Waste Land', signifying themes of mortality and futility.

The story includes a subplot about outdated divorce laws in England that adds to the narrative's absurdity.

Critics note that Brenda Last represents the vacuousness of society women, while Tony's character is both sympathetic and flawed.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of infidelity, divorce, death, child tragedy, and psychological trauma.

Has Romance?

There is a medium presence of romance, mostly revolving around the affairs and betrayals between the main characters.

From The Publisher:

'A whole Gothic world had come to grief . . .'

Beautiful Lady Brenda Last lives at Hetton Abbey, a crumbling Gothic monstrosity that is her husband Tony's pride and joy. Bored and restless after seven years of marriage, she drifts into an affair with a worthless young socialite. Abandoning the country for the glamorous yet shallow London scene, Brenda imagines divorce will bring happiness. Instead she and Tony feel lost and isolated - victims of the wreckless times in which they live . . .

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (1)
It Was OK (4)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (11):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (3)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

Bekahpaige

It Was OK

5 months

Read for a Modern British Novel literature class in college.

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About the Author:

Evelyn Waugh was born in Hampstead in 1903 and educated at Hertford College, Oxford. 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). During these years he also travelled extensively and converted to Catholicism. In 1939 Waugh was commissioned in the Royal Marines and later transferred to the Royal Horse Guards, experiences which informed his Sword of Honour trilogy (1952-61). His most famous novel, Brideshead Revisited (1945), was written while on leave from the army. Waugh died in 1966.

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A Handful of Dust

Evelyn Waugh