A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh (May 2018)

[Nigeyb]

Our fifth theme is Evelyn Waugh and we will be reading and discussing 'A Handful of Dust' in May 2018


Laced with cynicism and truth, "A Handful of Dust" satirizes a certain stratum of English life where all the characters have money, but lack practically every other credential. Murderously urbane, it depicts the breakup of a marriage in the London gentry, where the errant wife suffers from terminal boredom, and becomes enamoured of a social parasite and professional luncheon-goer.


These are the results at the end of our poll in March 2018...

Judy: A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh - 9 votes, 60.0%
Susan: Remote People by Evelyn Waugh - 5 votes, 33.3%
Radiantflux: Men at Arms by Evelyn Waugh - 1 vote, 6.7%

Thanks to everyone who nominated, voted, and generally participated

[Nigeyb]

This discussion is open. Hurrah.


You can also discuss Evelyn Waugh on our dedicated Favourite Authors thread...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Nigeyb]

I read A Handful of Dust about 10 years ago. I can still remember it very clearly, so won't be reading it again. It is one of my favourite books by one of my favourite writers.

I'd label it as one of Waugh's masterpieces (along with Brideshead Revisited: The Sacred and Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder and Sword of Honour)

It is unusual for a writer to be quite so remorseless with his principal characters. I suspect Evelyn 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.

I read it with my real world book group, many of whom were troubled by the unremitting darkness of the book. For me this was a strength.

I can't wait to discover what others in the group make of it.

[Pamela]

I have just picked this up from the library so will be starting in a couple of days. I have had mixed experiences with Waugh novels so hoping this will be one of the better ones.

[Susan]

I hadn't read this before, although, of course, it is always mentioned in every biography as, "the divorce novel." Waugh's previous novels, "Decline and Fall," "Vile Bodies," and "Black Mischief," had all been of a more light, frothy and comedic type - especially the first two. This is definitely a far darker novel. I think I have always resisted reading it as I knew the background and, although pleased that I have now read it, I don't think it will ever be my favourite. I can well imagine the reaction this received at the time though, especially among his acquaintances. I am now reading Evelyn Waugh: A Life Revisited and, apparently, there is a lot about She-Evelyn in that, so I will be interested to read more about her story.

[Lady Clementina]

I still haven't started but did want to read this- may be I will join in a little later.

[Judy]

I have read this a couple of times in the past and think it is one of his greatest. I thought I owned a copy but this appears not to be the case, so I've got it on order from the library and should hopefully have it early next week.

I do also have a DVD of the film adaptation from 1988, which was basically made by the same team as the BBC Brideshead Revisited. Charles Sturridge directed and the screenplay was partly written by Derek Granger, who I believe wrote most of the screenplay for Brideshead, although John Mortimer received the on-screen credit.

[Nigeyb]

Judy wrote: "I do also have a DVD of the film adaptation from 1988, which was basically made by the same team as the BBC Brideshead Revisited. Charles Sturridge directed and the screenplay was partly written by Derek Granger, who I believe wrote most of the screenplay for Brideshead, although John Mortimer received the on-screen credit."

Sounds splendid Judy

How wonderful is it?

[Nigeyb]

So what do we make of Tony?

Is he the most tragic character in 20th century fiction? Few of the disasters that befall him are of his own making? Except, perhaps, as a consequence of his decency.

Tony loves his ancestral home, Hetton and just wants to spend time there. Instead....

...well it's too soon for spoilers, but really, poor old Tony eh? Let no act of kindness go unpunished.

[Susan]

Not to give spoilers, but I believe the ending came from a short story that Waugh had written previously.

Yes, poor old Tony. The moral of this story is don't invite anyone to casually stay for the weekend and then dump them on your wife to look after...

[[deleted user]]

Started thus yesterday and so far so good. I love Waugh but this one had passed me by.

[Roman Clodia]

Nigeyb wrote: "So what do we make of Tony? Is he the most tragic character in 20th century fiction? Few of the disasters that befall him are of his own making? Except, perhaps, as a consequence of his decency."

I've only just started this today but have to say that while Tony is certainly no villain, he's boring and pompous and careless - when Brenda reads out the serial in the papers, he's not listening to her; he invites Beaver to stay then promptly disappears. Poor Brenda is stuck in a cold country house with no friends and no choice in the matter: 'Me? I detest it... Only I'd rather die than say that to Tony. We could never live anywhere else, of course. He's crazy about the place.'

So far, my favourite character is the child John (and I can't usually be bothered with children!) and his parroting of Ben's sayings!

But I'm only on p.40 so all could change...

[Roisin]

Wow! Was it 1988 when the film adaptation came out? Blimey! Read the book back then. : )

[Susan]

I can recall the TV adaptation in 1981, Roisin. Just looked at the schedule and realised the last episode aired on the 22nd December. Can you imagine having such an expensive series and not, at least, saving the last episode for over the Christmas holiday now?

Incidentally, the last ever episode of Blake's 7 (anyone else here enjoyed/remember that?) aired the day before, on the 21st December, 1981 - the one where almost everyone was killed. We had some good TV back then!

[Judy]

Nigeyb, it's many years since i watched the film, but I will do so again after rereading the book. I do remember it as being very good.

[Nigeyb]

Thanks Judy. I'll try to watch it too

[Nigeyb]

Roman Clodia wrote: "....while Tony is certainly no villain, he's boring and pompous and careless - when Brenda reads out the serial in the papers, he's not listening to her; he invites Beaver to stay then promptly disappears. Poor Brenda is stuck in a cold country house with no friends and no choice in the matter: 'Me? I detest it... Only I'd rather die than say that to Tony. We could never live anywhere else, of course. He's crazy about the place.'

So far, my favourite character is the child John (and I can't usually be bothered with children!) and his parroting of Ben's sayings!

But I'm only on p.40 so all could change..."

Interesting. Thanks RC. We often see things differently in the books we read and discuss - which I like. It's great to get different perspectives.

I will be very interested to discover how your perspective and views change as you read on. Perhaps they won't....

....but I have a feeling they just might ;-)

[Roman Clodia]

OMG yes! Waugh is *brutal* at the halfway mark!

And yes, we do sometimes have different takes on books - I'm glad that we agree this is a positive and enriching thing - I always enjoy seeing through your eyes, as it were 😄

[Nigeyb]

Yep, brutal sums it up

[Nigeyb]

And thanks for mutual appreciation

[Val]

I was amused by other people's reaction to Brenda's affair. They almost approved of her having one, but were surprised at her choice of John instead of Jock or Robin 'who everybody had had a go at'.

[Susan]

Her sister certainly didn't approve when it became 'serious' though. I think a flirtation was acceptable, but perhaps not an affair? Although, saying that, her sister had also been unfaithful to her husband, but it had blown over and her husband knew about it.

It that social set, it would have been almost impossible to have had an affair without someone hearing about it, I would imagine.

[Val]

...or have the affair, but not get emotionally involved.
I think Waugh is pointing out the flaws in their moral sense.

[Susan]

Yes, absolutely, Val.

[Bronwyn]

Susan wrote: "Not to give spoilers, but I believe the ending came from a short story that Waugh had written previously.

Yes, poor old Tony. The moral of this story is don't invite anyone to casually stay for th..."

It did. "The Man Who Liked Dickens". It's included in The Complete Stories of Evelyn Waugh (a really great book, too).

I read this in 2010. I am planning on reading this this month, but of course as soon as I went to borrow it from the library it's unavailable. At least I'm next in line for the audiobook.

I remember not liking it as much as some of his others (Vile Bodies and Brideshead Revisited especially), but it's not bad. I'll be interested in my take on a reread.

[Roman Clodia]

I did feel that that final section was a lot of filler just to get to that denouement... more later when we can discuss spoilers.

[Nigeyb]

I can see that RC


Now then, earlier in the discussion you stated....

Roman Clodia wrote: "..while Tony is certainly no villain, he's boring and pompous and careless....."

Roman Clodia wrote: "..Poor Brenda is stuck in a cold country house with no friends and no choice in the matter....."

How do you view Tony and Brenda now, having finished the book?

[Roman Clodia]

Tbh, considering this is the 'divorce novel', I expected it to be more savage than it is...

Brenda and Tony are certainly ill-matched, but he seems to be 'punished' more in the book. He's hapless and a bit hopeless; she's social and a bit flighty. Both are rather careless of John - and there's that horrible moment when we witness her instinctive response to the mid-book shocker.

I'm not sure that she deserves to be too poor to afford dinner, or that he deserves his end.

[Val]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I did feel that that final section was a lot of filler just to get to that denouement... more later when we can discuss spoilers."
Did the copy you read have the alternative ending as well? Waugh wrote one for the US market because the publisher could not include the Dickens story. (view spoiler)[Tony does go on a trip, but to Governor's mansions in the Caribbean, not Guyana and Brazil. He returns from it and has something like a reconciliation with Brenda. (hide spoiler)]

[Nigeyb]

Wow - never knew about that alternate "Hollywood" ending Val. I might even prefer it


Thanks for your thoughts Roman Clodia. I'm not sure any of them really deserve what befalls them - especially Tony who I regard as the most sympathetic character in the book (which I know is not saying much).

[Roman Clodia]

Gosh, no, I had no idea there was an alternative ending. I definitely don't prefer it. I find Tony's fate haunting and it reminded me of Brenda at the start (view spoiler)[ imprisoned at Hetton, with Tony, ironically, not listening when she reads to him (hide spoiler)].

I guess I have less sympathy with Tony than you do, Nigeyb, because he's dull and, fatally, unimaginative. All his energy goes into obsessing about his house, and his relationships with Brenda and John are stilted and dry - though I appreciate that he genuinely loves them in his own way.

[Val]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Gosh, no, I had no idea there was an alternative ending. I definitely don't prefer it. I find Tony's fate haunting and it reminded me of Brenda at the start [spoilers removed]."
I agree RC, the alternative ending is a bit wet, but I imagine that Waugh felt that he had finished the book as he intended and moved on to his next one.

[Roman Clodia]

Val wrote: "...or have the affair, but not get emotionally involved.
I think Waugh is pointing out the flaws in their moral sense."

Yes, there's a vacuous quality to everyone in the book. I was pleasantly surprised, then, that Brenda makes an, admittedly shortlived, attempt to get a job to both support herself financially and to have something to do all day.

[Roman Clodia]

Did anyone else find themselves comparing this to those classic 'female adultery' novels Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina?

[Nigeyb]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Yes, there's a vacuous quality to everyone in the book."


I think that came out of Waugh's disgust with what he saw about him - as many of the bright young things just drifted into a more dissolute lifestyle. And, of course, his own situation hardly filled him with much to feel happy about

Roman Clodia wrote: "Did anyone else find themselves comparing this to those classic 'female adultery' novels Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina? "

Not me. I've only read Madame Bovary of those two. But, now you mention it, yep, there are parallels.

[Susan]

How interesting that there is an alternative ending. Somehow, I feel that the novel needed the ending it had, however depressing it was. Val, did the novel change the 'middle' bit? I would imagine some readers might find that quite hard to take - for me, the scene where Brenda was told about that lost me all sympathy with her. That was harsh writing from Waugh!

[Val]

I don't think it changed anything before Tony going abroad, but it doesn't say how many chapters it replaces.

[Tania]

Just starting this now. I have read the first chapter and been introduced to John Beaver. I did see the film some time ago, so am vaguely familiar with the story, but looking forward to actually reading it.

[Tania]

My edition does include the alternative ending, along with a note from Waugh, explaining that "An American magazine wishes to serialize it (under the title of their choosing 'A Flat in London') but could not do so while it incorporated 'The Man Who Liked Dickens'. I accordingly provided the alternative ending which is here included as a curiosity." What follows is 8 pages long. I haven't read it yet, obviously.

[Judy]

I've read the first chapter too, and it's almost like a short story in its own right - John Beaver immediately comes across as fairly appalling, shamelessly sponging off "Mumsy" and the people at the club and making a career out of being a spare man for dinner parties. Waugh's writing is very witty here.

[Susan]

Did anyone read of what happened to the 'real,' John Beaver? I am currently reading Waugh's biography and have just reached the marriage with She-Evelyn.

[Nigeyb]

Not me Susan.


Who is the "real" John Beaver?

[Val]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_He...

[Nigeyb]

A sad end then...


In 1976 Heygate committed suicide by shooting himself. He was 72

[Susan]

When Heygate asked for forgiveness, Waugh replied, "OK - EW," That was pretty terse, but I think Waugh was devastated by what happened at the time and he was obviously a man who held a grudge.

[Nigeyb]

Thanks for the link Val


Was that reply in writing Susan?

Being betrayed by your wife/husband, and a friend, would be pretty hard for most people to deal with.

[Susan]

I think it was a telegram, Nigeyb.

Reading the biography (slowly, as I am behind with review books), She-Evelyn seemed to think that Evelyn Waugh never expected her to be faithful. I don't think she really took the marriage seriously, but I am interested to see if this biography goes into this episode in more detail, as I think it affected Waugh deeply.

[Nigeyb]

Thanks Susan. Please keep us posted with what else you discover.


Susan wrote: "She-Evelyn seemed to think that Evelyn Waugh never expected her to be faithful. I don't think she really took the marriage seriously"

I wonder if they ever had conversations about their respective expectations. If so, EW has little to complain about, on the other hand if it was just She-Evelyn making assumptions she never checked, then EW would be justified in feeling very upset.

Either way, 'A Handful of Dust' is imbued with a bitter cynicism and an overwhelming sense of disillusionment

[Val]

She-Evelyn's marriage to John Hayter didn't last all that long either, so that would further suggest that she didn't take marriage seriously.

[Susan]

Apparently, Waugh was not at all like her previous boyfriends, who were 'he-men,' (Evelyn Waugh was most definitely NOT a he-man, by any stretch of the imagination!). He proposed by saying, let's get married and see how it goes, which she interpreted into meaning, let's get married, it'll be fun and not too serious. I think he was a very serious man though- he was a pompous little boy and he was quite literal. There is no doubt that he took the marriage seriously and, as Val says, her marriage to John Hayter also ended in divorce. She did marry again though. Of interest to Nigeyb will be the fact that, of their previous friends, Anthony Powell remained loyal to her.