Decline and Fall – Evelyn Waugh

Here’s another marvellously bitter satire from My Favourite Author (For This Week Anyhow).

At times this reads like something from Wodehouse, but the reader feels fond of Jeeves and Wooster whereas nearly all of the characters in Decline and Fall are contemptible in one way or another. The author’s attitude is made clear in the way that characters are killed, mutilated or suffer other horrific fates, all described in an off-hand, comedic tone.