Evelyn Waugh is probably best known for being the author of Brideshead Revisited. His books, like those of John Updike or Ernest Hemingway are indicative of an entire generation of people. He follows the English, especially Londoners, as they naively live their day to day lives, not knowing that their entire world is about to start crashing down around them as World War II starts.
My personal favorite of Waugh's novels is Vile Bodies, a slim but exacting novel that follows the young educated idle classes of 1920s England. They are the Paris Hiltons of their day (though decidedly more educated than Ms. Hilton), famous for being rich, constantly being photographed, and, constantly being scooped by a reporter who blends seamlessly into the young bright elite.
In true Waugh fashion, the glitz and glamor of monied London comes crashing violently down as Germany starts in on England. Through the war and the blitz emerges a tender, unassuming love story for the ages. And Waugh does it again.
Happy Reading,
Julia
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