Just finished "A Handful of Dust" by Evelyn Waugh. What the hell was...

JanMichael

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Sun Feb-01-04 10:16 PM
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Just finished "A Handful of Dust" by Evelyn Waugh. What the hell was...

...was the point of this book?!

That people are somewhat unanchored in relationships? That life is an illusion? That the monied class of 1930's England are pretty much worthless excuses for human beings?

Anyone else read it? I'll be honest, it wasn't that bad, there were some parts that were quite good. But I'm somewhat lost on the point...Maybe that Life, and the book, is an exercise in futility but amusing enough to slog you way through to the end?

HELP!

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JanMichael

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Sun Feb-01-04 10:17 PM
Response to Original message

1. Wrong forum.

Sorry. Please Lounge it.

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(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sun Feb-01-04 10:19 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. you need to read happy boks

happy! happy! happy!

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FlashHarry

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Sun Feb-01-04 10:36 PM
Response to Original message

3. I dunno. I've read two others.

The Sword of Honour and Brideshead Revisited. Loved 'em both. I've heard Scoop and Vile Bodies are both supposed good. Can't help you with that one, though.

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Misinformed01

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Mon Feb-02-04 12:13 AM
Response to Original message

4. Good God,

you tried to have an intelligent literary conversation on DU after Janet Jackson's breast was on TV?

You are the best

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JanMichael

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Mon Feb-02-04 01:12 PM
Response to Reply #4

7. I had to or else I would have forgotten about it!

No courage there, just desperation.

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BigMcLargehuge

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Mon Feb-02-04 12:18 AM
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5. haven't read Waugh, but you captured my feelings about all

of Edith Wharton's non-ghost story stuff. The House of Mirth especially.

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Misinformed01

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Mon Feb-02-04 12:25 AM
Response to Reply #5

6. "Ethan Frome"

About 160 pages describing how a man can slide so far into silliness that he is ruined.

I agree with you about Edith Wharton; what did Dorothy Parker say about a book she didn't like? "This is a book that should not be put down lightly, but thrown away with great force.." (that's off the top of my head..too late for me to look up her actual quote)

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JanMichael

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Mon Feb-02-04 01:14 PM
Response to Reply #5

8. Frusterating isn't it?

It's like they're piggy-backing off of a larger movement or some seminal work.

Yes, they write very well, but about what?!

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