A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh (May 2018)

[Nigeyb]

Susan wrote: "Anthony Powell remained loyal to her"


All round good egg

[Susan]

Definitely. I am feeling quite sorry for Waugh in his divorce. Apparently, he charged his brother with telling his parents that She-Evelyn had left him and he said how upset his parents would be. Waugh responded waspishly, by saying how much worse it was for him. He certainly seemed to have struggled with the relationship with his father, in particular; finding him overly emotional and, probably, embarrassing. He also mentions that he had no idea he was 'not a gentleman,' until She-Evelyn's mother pointed it out!

[Nigeyb]

Yes indeed - I have heard all that stated too


Susan wrote: "Waugh certainly seemed to have struggled with the relationship with his father"

On top of everything you mention, I believe that his father also clearly preferred Alec to Evelyn which must have been hard.

[Judy]

This is stated in 'Mad World' - I think his father called Alec "the son of my heart", but was then furious about his expulsion from school.

[Roman Clodia]

I found it interesting that Waugh doesn't appear to have written himself into Dust, and that he was less savage about Brenda than I expected.

Thanks, Susan, I'm enjoying the background info you've been providing.

[Susan]

Well, much of it is in Mad World already. Certainly, Evelyn's father heavily favoured Alec. I do feel for Alec Waugh - indeed, he was the literary sensation with the notorious, "Loom of Youth," and then along comes his younger brother and writes, "Decline and Fall." Revenge is sweet, perhaps?

I must re-read some of Alec Waugh's non fiction books, which I loved.

[Val]

It caused quite a fuss at the time; Sherborne school were not happy.

[Annabel]

I read this when I was younger and didn't enjoy it much so I'm not rereading it now. I know (and I think knew even then) that it was deliberately dark and bitter, but that still made it hard for me to like, with simply no one to root for unless, in desperation, Tony.

I also found it inexplicable that Brenda would fall for Beaver given that the beginning of the story is at such pains to establish how beautiful and desirable she is and what a loser he is. The plot never explains that conundrum, it just presents it.

The chilling ending was probably my favourite part because unlike the rest of the story, it felt vividly imagined. But it also felt bolted on, as though it was a short story Waugh just decided not to waste (which as far as I know, it may have been).

[Susan]

I think Brenda was bored and, although Beaver was seen as a bit of a bounder, she wasn't aware of it at the time. By the time she knew, or had heard, about him, it was too late.

I read more of Waugh's biography today and I discovered that Nancy Mitford was Evelyn Gardener's best friend. She shared a flat with her, in fact. However, after the separation, she never saw She-Evelyn again and, instead, became Evelyn Waugh's confidante. In a way, Nancy Mitford replaced Diana Guinness (formerly Mitford, later Mosley) as his closest, female friend.

[Pamela]

Brenda also had her 'friends' encouraging her because it was amusing and entertaining for them to have something to gossip about.

[Susan]

Good point, Pamela. I guess they didn't expect that behaviour from Brenda, so it was more interesting for them.

[Judy]

I think Brenda and Beaver are very strongly sexually attracted and that overrides all the differences between them - early on, they seem to keep deciding that they are not going to call each other etc, but then doing so anyway. They also have a lot in common in their love of social life, parties and London, none of which Tony shares.

[Judy]

I was just wondering what the original of Hetton Abbey was, and found a page about it on the Evelyn Waugh Society website.

Apparently, the drawing at the front wasn't based on a particular house - Waugh wrote in a letter "I instructed the architect to design the worst possible 1860 and he has done well.” However, it does look quite like the house which was used in the film, which Waugh visited later, Carlton Towers.

https://evelynwaughsociety.org/2017/h...

[Susan]

Thanks for posting, Judy. Who knew there was an Evelyn Waugh society? I never think to look for these things, but I refer to the Christie society a lot.

[Tania]

I do find it slightly jaw-dropping that Tony is the one who is considered to have behaved in such a beastly way towards Brenda. Oh course she will be telling the story to show herself in a better light, but still...

[Val]

Yes, we are back to the dubious morals again.
This is a group of people who consider adulterous affairs as normal behaviour, but taking someone's income away as unacceptable. Hardly any of them actually work for a living.

[Tania]

Perhaps she didn't mention to them that she was planning on taking him for a lot more than he could afford, despite the fact that he was the wronged party.

[Val]

I think Waugh was also making the point that the impoverished Lasts who inherit when Tony is presumed dead have some ideas to make the estate profitable. Tony had no imagination and could only act like some feudal dinosaur, holding on to a house which was not even historic any more.

This should have been inside 'spoiler' brackets, but it is too late now. I didn't think of it as a spoiler because it doesn't mention what happens, but it does give away the result of what happens.

[Tania]

I haven't quite finished yet, nearly at the end. I am pleased to hear this, I liked the sound of the house, it would be nice for it to keep going and not be turned into a school. Of course, if Brenda had had her way, they wouldn't have got it at all.

[Susan]

I applauded Tony at the end when he had that horrible meeting with Brenda's cousin. Brenda was SO obviously in the wrong, on any level. She knew that all Tony cared about was the house, so to do that was doubly objectionable.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "She knew that all Tony cared about was the house"

Am I the only one here who felt more sympathy for Brenda than Tony? I agree, of course, that her response to what happens midway through is shocking but Tony also acts coldly, pompously, and with a lack of imaginative empathy: in fact, doesn't the book judge him more harshly given their ultimate fates?

I assumed Tony/Brenda's marriage was a transactional one, and she's clear-sighted enough to understand Beaver doesn't care for her. I felt for her when she can't afford to eat, and tries to find a job.

[Judy]

I felt sympathy for both of them at different times - I think Waugh definitely makes it understandable that Brenda is bored with the countryside, and with Tony. They don't understand each other at all.

He even makes me feel sympathy with Beaver at times, particularly when he first visits and is put into the ghastly "Galahad" bedroom!

Is anyone still reading this? I'm wondering if we could stop worrying about spoilers in a few days, and get into discussing the whole novel, including the two alternative endings?

[Susan]

I will be honest and say I had little sympathy with Brenda. Any I might have had vanished halfway through the book. That was the moment for me where the book really hit me!

Waugh was saying that our actions have consequences and I wonder how much he really saw through all those Bright Young Things, even as he participated in their social circles...

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "I will be honest and say I had little sympathy with Brenda. Any I might have had vanished halfway through the book."

Yes, that was harsh. But I also remember Brenda laughing and joking with John, and taking him into her bed, while Tony is pompous and distant... and that mean moment when John comes in the car to meet him at the station and Tony tells him he's not to do that again, leaving the boy in tears.

They're definitely mis-matched but I assumed that was the consequence of a socially-arranged marriage between beauty and fertility on one hand and lineage/money on the other. As you rightly say, Susan, there are consequences.

[Pamela]

It's an interesting question, RC, but I'd have to say most of my sympathy went to Tony. Like Judy, I felt sympathy for Brenda at the beginning. Tony was too wrapped up in Hetton to notice Brenda's boredom.

I actually lost sympathy with her before the shocking moment, although I thought that was an excellent piece of writing. Her whole pretence about studying economics so she could go to parties with Beaver was really funny, but also a cruel betrayal of trust.

I didn't see the ending as judging Tony harshly, RC, though maybe it is. Will say more when spoilers allowed, but I saw it more as a rather bitter comment on injustice, that the punishment doesn't always fit the crime. Will be interested to see what others think.

[Susan]

Oh, I definitely did not think Tony was all in the right, but I thought Brenda behaved appallingly. After all, she expected Tony to pay for the flat she wanted to carry on an affair in. She literally never saw that her behaviour was inexcusable. In that sense she was a product of her class, and upbringing, which removed her from any real responsibility - including that for her own child.

[Nigeyb]

I agree with that last comment Susan


Tony may be insensitive and unaware however he is the most sympathetic character in the book (given his upbringing and the era more generally). He generally seems to be trying to do the right thing and yet comes out of the worst.

I find it hard to feel any great sympathy with Brenda. Surely just getting a divorce was the obvious course of action for her.

[Val]

I am not sure exactly when the book is set, but divorce law prior to 1937 made it very difficult for women to obtain a divorce and it was expensive.

[Bronwyn]

Val wrote: "I am not sure exactly when the book is set, but divorce law prior to 1937 made it very difficult for women to obtain a divorce and it was expensive."

The book was published in '34, so it would have been under those divorce rules.


Honestly, everyone in this was a bit awful. I did dislike Tony a bit less, but they're all pills, each using whomever to get what they want really. Some of it is class, sure. I mean, I've read non-fiction where, basically, affairs were okay as long as you 1) had a male child already and 2) didn't let them be public/destroy your marriage. So I kind of understand Brenda initially, but after the midsection... Tony's just oblivious, which is its own problem, but Brenda just doesn't care. :/

[Susan]

I recall reading The Bolter: Edwardian Heartbreak and High Society Scandal in Kenya and I am aware that divorce was difficult, plus the woman normally lost custody of their child (although Brenda did not seem that interested in her son). Tony did seem very unconcerned, so he was not aware of the danger that Beaver presented - or rather, perhaps, thought he was so ridiculous that he didn't offer any. Still, having an affair by the rules of the day, and her class, was one thing. Expecting Tony to support her financially no matter what she did was another.

As I mentioned before, after Evelyn Gardener left Evelyn Waugh, just about all her old friends deserted her, so it was definitely not all right to actually leave your spouse, socially. In terms of this novel, was Beaver actually worth leaving your life for? I thought both he and Brenda were selfish and unthinking.

[Bronwyn]

That's a good point, Susan.

Yeah... I think Brenda would get tired of Beaver like she did with Tony. Beaver definitely has his own baggage.

[Roman Clodia]

I'm not suggesting that Brenda is an admirable person but in lots of ways she has been very accommodating to Tony's choices: she lives in his house which she detests but doesn't protest; she travels 3rd class on the trains to London according to his economies; she doesn't have any friends at Hetton and nor does she seem to invite her London friends since he doesn't like visitors; she's provided him with a son and heir: she has been a 'good' wife.

I felt she *does* love John: they are shown to have a playful relationship, the text says 'he [Tony] was never happy away from Hetton, and Brenda did not like leaving John Andrew' (p.156) and (view spoiler)[ their divorce seems to be prompted as much by The Event as by her affair: 'I couldn't stay here. It's all over, don't you see, our life down here.' (p.123) (hide spoiler)]

Of course, Beaver is totally worthless - he doesn't care for Brenda and she knows it: 'I can't complain, he's never pretended to like me much' (p.62). She drifts into the affair, and he's out for the social benefit/cachet it gives him.

Divorce settlement: I have no idea what percentage would usually go to support a wife but what's being asked for is 'rather less than a third of your income' (p.149). Given that Brenda tries to get a job and can't (and look at how people respond to Mrs Beaver who is in business) is that unreasonable? I don't know.

As Bronwyn says, everyone's a bit awful - I guess I disliked Brenda less, and was more empathetic to her situation, than the others.

[Susan]

Bronwyn wrote: "That's a good point, Susan.

Yeah... I think Brenda would get tired of Beaver like she did with Tony. Beaver definitely has his own baggage."

I am aware of spoilers, so I won't say more, but it could also be vice versa. Beaver had his own agenda and so did his mother.

[Val]

Was anyone in the book not selfish?
Allan, Marjorie's husband, didn't seem too bad, but nobody else had any redeeming qualities.

[Bronwyn]

Susan wrote: "Bronwyn wrote: "That's a good point, Susan.

Yeah... I think Brenda would get tired of Beaver like she did with Tony. Beaver definitely has his own baggage."

I am aware of spoilers, so I won't sa..."

Oh absolutely. I just responded in that regard since you asked if Beaver was worth leaving her life for. I don't think he is. But I do think that Brenda is going to get bored wherever and with whomever.

Val, no, I don't think so. Everyone's out for their own. (I'm blanking on anything really concerning Allan at the moment, so can't answer regards to him.)

[Susan]

I thought Tony was OK. He was a bit obsessed with his house, and maybe a tad boring, but that was nothing new for a member of the land owning gentry!

[Val]

He is only interested in his house. He is not all that interested in his wife and even less interested in his son. (view spoiler)[If someone killed one of my children when they lost control of their horse / car, I don't think my priority would be to reassure the rider / driver that I didn't hold them responsible and to inform all the people I sat on committees with. (hide spoiler)]
Children from that class were usually brought up by nannies, but I would hope most parents showed some interest in their offspring. (view spoiler)[At least Brenda was upset, even though her first reaction was shockingly inappropriate. (Apparently Waugh copied that bit from Thackeray, whose own satires could be quite savage.) (hide spoiler)]

[Susan]

Well, I felt sorry for Paul in The Bell. Perhaps I have a weakness for slightly boring men :)

I can't bring myself to have the slightest sympathy for Brenda. Tony may have been in shock and trying to do the right thing, but her reaction just hit me.

[Val]

It may be the right thing for a man in his social position to do, but it is not the right thing for a father. Waugh also provides evidence of previous callousness for Tony, but not for Brenda. There is also a suggestion that Brenda only stuck it out at Hetton as long as she did because of John Andrew, afterwards she has no reason at all to stay.

[Susan]

Brenda had virtually left before John Andrew though. I don't think any of them are particularly nice characters to be honest, but I thought Tony was the most sympathetic, out of him and Brenda.

To change tack a little, what did we think of Beaver's mother? I thought she was the cleverest character for sure!

[Val]

Mrs. Beaver was cleverer than the rest and a good saleswoman, just as selfish though.

[Susan]

Yes. People say we live in a selfish society now, but, obviously, little has changed over the years in human nature. Which is, of course, why novels written however long ago still, fundamentally, make sense :)

[Roman Clodia]

Mrs Beaver is smart and knows the social world she moves in but isn't she also a figure who gets fun poked at her because she is forced to make her own money? If Beaver is worthless then at least some of that seems to be down to his mother who supports and encourages him.

[Susan]

I think both John, and his mother, are somewhat figures of fun. However, Mrs Beaver at least manages to make money out of those who look down on her.

[Roman Clodia]

True. She throws light on the plight of women who don't have an inherited income or a husband to fall back on - and so helps contextualise Brenda's dependency on Tony.

[Judy]

I didn't really think of Mrs Beaver as selfish, but as very much spoiling John! She seems to be extremely good at her job.

Is everyone OK with getting into spoilers in a few days?

[Tania]

No. I thought of her as grasping rather than selfish. She had to be though, to survive. I'm not sure I can forgive her for nearly having the Morning Room covered in chromium tiles, *shudders*.
I have finished now, so I'm fine with spoilers.

[Val]

I think Mrs. Beaver may only recently have had enough money to be indulgent and she does use some of it to spoil John, but she also controls him and keeps him with her, so that is still selfish in my opinion. (John did have a job before the book starts by the way, so he is not a complete parasite.)
Waugh was clearly not a big fan of Victorian mock gothic, I'm not either but adding art deco tiles to one room is not a great improvement.

[Judy]

I think the house itself is clearly supposed to be hideous, although personally I'm rather partial to Victorian Gothic - but Mrs Beaver's improvements would make it much worse!

I also suspect Waugh is not too keen on her whole shop in general - I didn't get a very clear idea of the furniture she sells - or on her breaking up large London houses into tiny flats, although of course that was the way of the future and it is something we take for granted now.

[Judy]

Shall we say spoilers from the 11th? If that is too soon for anyone, let us know and it can be put back.