Bright Young Things discussion
This topic is about
A Handful of Dust
Hot books/small group reads
>
A Handful of Dust - more greatness from Waugh
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
'Hot book discussion' please! thx!
Handful of Dust is masterly. So much to love and admire.
Aye. These characters are vivid. 'Lady Brenda Last'--she's going to stick with me for a long time.
I don't think Waugh is capable of writing a bad book, but this one is not my favourite. Perhaps too much of the bitterness he felt about his own marital break up found its way into the book for his humour to shine through.
I'm working my way through it paragraph by paragraph, he's so good you can't go any faster. Right now he's contrasting a South American expedition with London dinner parties. Flipping back-and-forth. Scathing! Never seen anything like it. My jaw is on the floor.
It's certainly very dark and bitter.
I've just today bought A Handful of Dust and Scoop. I'm reading several books at the moment but I'd like start A Handful of Dust now if it's a group read.
SPOILERSFinished this yesterday. It is indeed, grim. And puzzling. Unorthodox.
In 'Handful' --about halfway through--there's some curious choices Waugh makes. Usually we'd expect the fate of the three primary characters to 'match' a series of 'misdeeds'--a novelist usually assigns 'retribution' to any character who deserves it; wrongdoers are invariably punished in typical English fiction. This gives a feeling of moral satisfaction to the reader and is a technique as old as the Greek stage.
Waugh started off the novel focusing on the woes of each of his three figures; and eliciting empathy for first one, then the next, then the last. But that's as far as he goes. What happens to them later doesn't make it easy to choose 'good guys' from 'bad guys'.
The key incident in the novel --a shocking incident--emerges perhaps 1/3rd of the way through; and we see each of them react to it in their various ways. Afterwards, as we follow its effect on them, its difficult to determine whether anyone has really behaved 'badly'--selfishly--or irresponsibly. What essentially occurs is that each of the three is handed a new set of life-choices other than the ones they're used to. New opportunities open up.
But you somewhat 'lean towards' one or the other characters; nevertheless. As we go along we sort out who --if any--are even slightly more rotten than the others. This is just our human natures at work. We decide 'who we like'; and 'who we root for'. A cheating wife for example--is not 'just a callous slut' when she starts to truly fall in love with her boy-toy. Meanwhile, a sincerely struggling social climber--whom we pulled for early when he was poor and put-upon--cultivates coldness and arrogance once he acquires a 'patron'. So our sympathies are not allowed to settle on any one, fixed impression.
Later, though (when Waugh assigns them their various destinies) their dismal fates are all out-of-proportion to their earlier behavior. A 'good guy' (as far as we can see, one of the trio who has tried to do his honest best for others) winds up with the worst, most appalling retribution at novel's end. The other two--who behaved a bit more selfishly--have their life-situations unchanged from as they were before the catalyzing incident. They find their new stations as unrelieving and dissatisfying as their old places. Who should we feel sorry for, then?
The conclusion that I can draw is only that Waugh's point is how people in this class of society make their own prisons; too much leeway traps them; they're unconsciously hostages to their own wide-ranging free will. Too much self-interest too many means to satisfy it, and this liberality winds up granting them no more peace than any other soul.
They're all wealthy; they're all capable of ordering their lives; they can make any decision or whim and opt for any lifestyle they wish. They can go on trips and holidays; they can easily live in the city, country, or both; they can choose a dozen lovers or pretend to be loyal to just one. They can have any mixture of sex, drugs, romance, comfort, propensity, or predilection (minor characters are obsessed with food, airplanes, horses, archaeology, etc) as they might desire. Every hobby is theirs for the asking.
Normal laws of justice will not touch them--there's almost never any reckoning or accounting they have to face--they're too protected and too privileged. So what happens to them is they are 'stuck with themselves'. As members of this upper class, they don't need each other enough; that's their overall flaw. Thus, each of the three characters winds up alone and miserable but largely in the same station as the novel began them with.
Its a nifty little literary experiment. Ultimately a very satisfying read.
Mod
"The Man Who Loved Dickens" Ally. It is not listed on Goodreads under that title, but I did read it in an anthology some time ago and it is pretty much the same story as Tony's, without the build up.Feliks, the main characters do have almost limitless possibilities, but they all have one fixation which drives them. Waugh, rather typically, ensures that none of them actually get what they want. (I'm trying not to put any spoilers, I hope that isn't one.)
I found most of the characters rather aimless, myself. Lacking direction. They mostly have little hobbies (such as Tony's pride in his house) but I don't recall any serious passions. Their pursuits were quite trite, wouldn't you say? After all, gossiping about who-is-sleeping-with-who, that's not an obsession. Are you talking about money? But they none of them have to ever do anything to come by their money; in fact they're usually preoccupied with finding some way to spend their excess. Only Mrs Beaver stood out for that obse$$ion (always trying to line up more work for herself, via connections)
I don't think the satire would work if they fixed on something worth having. For Tony is is his house, Brenda the social whirl and for John and his mother it is social position rather than just money.
Ah I see what you were saying earlier. You didn't mean that they all had one shared obsession in common, but that they all pursued their own distinct activities. Agreed.
Sorry that was not clear. I should have said they each have one fixation.
Tony really received one of the harshest fates I've ever seen an author deliver upon a character. Chilling. I'm still rooting for him to escape. That crazy swamp bastard! There must be a way for him to turn the tables. Maybe another hunter will swing by someday. Or, he could try to grab the gun and ammo. That kind of endless slavery makes me fighting mad. Wonder if Waugh was influenced by the Fleming expedition when he wrote that episode.And like I said above, what --if anything--was Tony really guilty of? Anything?
I don't remember everything that happens at the end, but I believe Waugh was influenced (in part anyway) by the Fawcett expedition. It was an incredible expedition; I read about it in The Lost City of Z.
That's the one I mean; however I usually refer to it by the follow-up expedition which was co-lead by Peter Fleming (Ian's older brother). The rescuers weren't successful in locating Fawcett but the catastrophes which (almost comically) befell their own mission made a media splash all on its own. Peter got back first and was able to write up the story first. So that's what I use to lump the whole brouhaha together under one bushel-lid.
Fawcett's expedition was a serious one, he was an experienced explorer, but he still vanished into the Amazonian jungle and was never found. There were various theories in the press about what happened to him, including some fanciful ones. A "Times" reviewer in 1934 suggested that Waugh was influenced by the expedition and the reports of it. Fleming's sounds disorganised and a bit farcical, so perhaps Tony's lack of organisation is closer to the second one.
Waugh may have been influenced by both. He also travelled in South America himself, so he could describe the conditions with some confidence.
Ahh, I haven't heard of Fleming's (that I can think of). Interesting!
Peter Fleming is a fascinating character. So dynamic and intrepid that his young brother Ian spent his life idolizing him. And we know what that led to.
I've just started Handful of Dust. The description on p.34 of Brenda descending the staircase is incredible, so beautiful. "Shafts of November sunshine steaming down from lancet and oriel, tinctured in green and gold, gules and azure by the emblazoned coats, broken by the leaded devices into countless points and patches of coloured light. Brenda descended the great staircase step by step through alternations of dusk and rainbow." Am enjoying this.I like the subtle humour.
she's a saucy minx, for sure:p
Definitely one of my favourite books by one of my favourite writers. As Feliks states, it is unusual for a writer to be quite so remorseless with his principal characters. I suspect Waugh's own marriage break up played a big part in his disgust, along with the decadence and social disintegration that characterised the inter War period. A masterpiece.I read it with my real world book group, most of whom were troubled by the unremitting darkness of the book. For me this was a strength.
And, talking of darkness, we have Patrick Hamilton's Hangover Square to discuss in October 2013. For me, Hangover Square is a book that those who enjoyed A Handful of Dust are likely to also appreciate.
Nigeyb wrote: "Definitely one of my favourite books by one of my favourite writers. As Feliks states, it is unusual for a writer to be quite so remorseless with his principal characters. I suspect Waugh's own ma..."I'm on p.134. Interesting what you say Nigeyb, about Waugh's personal mental state when writing these characters. Agreed, it's strongly crafted, a strength, but the characters don't appear to have ANY redeeming features. They're so cold and shallow, one dimensional.
I am interested to learn more of Evelyn and Elec Waugh, and what influenced their writing.
The more I read of Handful of Dust the more I like it, the penny dropped and I understand why the darkness of it in all aspects and detail. The humour works so well because of it. 5 stars already and not finished reading.
What Waugh should I move on to, next? Any recommendations? Sword-of-Honor trilogy?
Feliks wrote: "Tony really received one of the harshest fates I've ever seen an author deliver upon a character. Chilling. I'm still rooting for him to escape. That crazy swamp bastard! There must be a way for hi..."An unusual ending. Tony is not without hope, he has a card, given the opportunity, who would want to remain illiterate, Tony could offer to teach him to read. And at least he was reading Dickens.
Another part that got me was when Brenda leaves the solicitors office alone out into the sunshine. I thought that was very poignant.
I think I'll love anything by Evelyn Waugh.
I think Tony could eventually get out..maybe..he just has to get word to the west merely one more time, he has to wait for the next time some westerners are in the area--make contact--and not fall for the sleeping-potion trick, by either seizing the gun or knife, and using the coot as a hostage somehow. He needs to learn some of the local language in order to negotiate and make ultimatums with the relatives. Or he could perhaps; destroy all the books?
Feliks, I had thought of destroying the books but both options you mention would be a serious health hazard for Tony.One of the beloved books listed in this link is A Handful of Dust.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08...
A Handful of Dust was adapted to a film in 1988. Kristin Scott Thomas as Brenda. Judi Dench as Mrs. Beaver. Alec Guinness as Mr Todd.
Has anybody seen the film?
lol who is Kristin Scott Thomas? All these actresses with three names..Anyway no one is saying there is any easy way out for Tony but its a matter of choosing the least perilous option. I feel sure that him missing the rescue expedition can't be his only chance to make contact with the outside world. He has to keep trying. There'll be other expeditions.
Meanwhile, if he destroys the books he has leverage again. He can propose that he go out to bring some more back.
Never seen the film but Kristin Scott Thomas is amazing. That cast is stellar. Should I be checking it out?
Feliks wrote: "What Waugh should I move on to, next? Any recommendations? Sword-of-Honor trilogy?"I've yet to read that one - and am really looking forward to it.
If you've not read Brideshead Revisited then you're in for a treat. Absolute literary perfection. I'd also heartily recommend you read Mad World: Evelyn Waugh and the Secrets of Brideshead by Paula Byrne - ideally soon after reading Brideshead Revisited. She really illuminates all of Waugh's life and work, and in particular Brideshead Revisited.
I also love Decline and Fall, and Scoop is, like Black Mischief, another amusing parody.
Nigeyb wrote: "Never seen the film but Kristin Scott Thomas is amazing. That cast is stellar. Should I be checking it out?"Nigeyb, I hadn't heard of the film, just found it from the Huff post link above.
I've been a fan of Kristin Scott Thomas since The English Patient. I look forward to seeing K S T as Brenda!
(The English Patient the book, the film and the soundtrack are all just the best.)
Greg wrote: "I've been a fan of Kristin Scott Thomas since The English Patient."I first noticed her in Polanski's "Bitter Moon" back in 1992. I fell in love with her then and there. Amazing actress. And as effortlessly brilliant in French language films too.
Greg wrote: "I look forward to seeing K S T as Brenda!"
She would be brilliant. She always is. Keep us informed. Meanwhile I may well go and buy the DVD.
Feliks wrote: "Peter Fleming is a fascinating character. So dynamic and intrepid that his young brother Ian spent his life idolizing him. And we know what that led to."Feliks, you'd like an 1987 article called "The Secret Agent" by Alexander Cockburn on Ian Fleming and 007 and the CIA, JFK. Cockburn claims, without Fleming there'd be no OSS, hence no CIA and the cold war would have ended in the early 1960s.
The article is in "Corruptions of Empire".
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...
Nigeyb wrote: "Greg wrote: "I've been a fan of Kristin Scott Thomas since The English Patient."I first noticed her in Polanski's "Bitter Moon" back in 1992. I fell in love with her then and there. Amazing act..."
Nigeyb, total agreement on Kristin Scott Thomas. And more beautiful with the years. I'll look for "Bitter Moon". I recommend "Nowhere Boy" about John Lennon's formative years. Excellent film. KST plays Mimi, John's aunt. A brilliantly felt portrayal.
Thanks Greg. I recorded Nowhere Boy off the TV and didn't realise it included KST. Will watch soon.
Thx for that article tip.Anyway I want to ask a question relating to 'Black Mischief' but I think I will start another thread to do so. Hope ye join me there.
Feliks wrote: "Thx for that article tip.Anyway I want to ask a question relating to 'Black Mischief' but I think I will start another thread to do so. Hope ye join me there."
Feliks, anything about Evelyn Waugh and I'm there. I'm about to start reading Scoop.
Bright Young Things
Books mentioned in this topic
Brideshead Revisited (other topics)Mad World: Evelyn Waugh and the Secrets of Brideshead (other topics)
Decline and Fall (other topics)
Scoop (other topics)
Hangover Square (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Paula Byrne (other topics)Patrick Hamilton (other topics)
Waugh amazes. You just don't fathom how good he is until you crack one of his spines. His work is a pillar of English wit. But simply as a 'staright' novelist alone: the observations he makes; the dialog he captures; the way he paints a scene..all these writerly qualities are strong in addition to his ever-ready powers of irony and satire.
Look ye--in this title--at his mastery of several different tableaus in just one book: a discontented British wife; a crumbling society marriage; a violent domestic tragedy; and (one of the hardest things to write) a sea voyage, and on top of all this--a South American expedition.
Tremendous. Waugh's my new favorite author discovery. I'd trust anything from him, now.