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Decline and Fall

By Evelyn Waugh
Penguin Classics
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3.83 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh follows the misadventures of Paul Pennyfeather, who is unjustly expelled from Oxford University and embarks on a series of humorous and satirical experiences. As he navigates jobs in questionable British institutions and strange societal circles, the novel offers a sharp critique of the social norms and absurdities of 1920s England. Waugh's biting wit and keen observation make for a delightful and engaging read.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this satirical novel if you appreciate sharp wit and humorous social commentary. The story, set in 1920s Britain, offers a clever critique of society through the misadventures of its protagonist, capturing the absurdity and eccentricities of the English upper class with Waugh's distinctive storytelling style.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Decline and Fall is Evelyn Waugh's hilarious debut novel, now available in a wonderful new hardback edition.

Sent down from Oxford for indecent behaviour, Paul Pennyfeather is oddly unsurprised to find himself qualifying for the position of schoolmaster at Llanabba Castle. His colleagues are an assortment of misfits, rascals, and fools, including Prendy, who is plagued by doubts, and Captain Grimes, who is always in the soup—or just plain drunk.

Then Sports Day arrives, and with it the delectable Margot Beste-Chetwynde, floating on a scented breeze. As the farce unfolds and the young run riot, no one is safe, least of all Paul.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Decline and Fall is celebrated as a brilliant satirical novel, praised for its nonsense and comedic approach that takes nothing seriously, including its own author. Critics admire its anarchic fantasy world, populated with vivid characters from the giddy rich to audacious adventurers, teetering through absurd yet hilariously calamitous events. The book is considered one of Waugh's finest works, noted for its sharp satire without being diluted by uplift or personal bias.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241585290

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 27 October 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 31.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 339g

Pages: 320

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Evelyn Waugh Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: General Fiction

About the Author

Evelyn Waugh was born in Hampstead in 1903 and educated at Hertford College, Oxford. In 1928 he published his first novel, Decline and Fall, which was soon followed by Vile Bodies (1930), Black Mischief (1932), A Handful of Dust (1934) and Scoop (1938). During these years he also travelled extensively and converted to Catholicism. In 1939 Waugh was commissioned in the Royal Marines and later transferred to the Royal Horse Guards, experiences which informed his Sword of Honour trilogy (1952-61). His most famous novel, Brideshead Revisited (1945), was written while on leave from the army. Waugh died in 1966.

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