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Book Review of A Handful of Dust

A Handful of Dust
A Handful of Dust
Author: Evelyn Waugh
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
reviewed on + 813 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3


Once again, Waugh has at it with the uppity gentry of English society. His participants all appear to have inherited riches, no real occupation, dubious morals, and less character. What they do exhibit is a strong sense of ennui and complacency. In this little gem of satirical exposition, our âJaneâ has become disenamoured with âDickâ and their country coexistence and is drawn gradually into the urban realm of gigolos and perpetual parties. A family tragedy brings the situation to a head and divorce ensues. True to form, this is botched from the start and the principals are left in limbo until our âDickâ disappears of an archeological jaunt into the depths of the Amazon. By the time he is declared legally dead, âJaneâ has been jilted by her no-count paramour and has to seek asylum with another of her consorts. Makes one wonder why the author wasn't spurned by his own compatriots; but, maybe he was.