3 Review(s)

Evelyn Waugh is widely regarded as the most brilliant satirical English novelist of his day. He also wrote short stories, travel books, nonfiction, and articles. Born and brought up in the shadow of the First and Second World War, he mirrors his time’s political, moral, social, literary, and intellectual impact on the sense and sensibility of the age. The book presents how Waugh’s writings bear the influences of socio-political changes that occurred during the first half of twentieth century due to two World Wars, and the intellectual and literary crises of large magnitude that appeared as a result. Apart from references from Waugh’s works, critical opinions on Waugh, such as those of Frederick J. Stopp, Anthony Burgess, Patricia Corr, and A.A. DeVitis have been included to provide a rich analysis of the text. The book studies Waugh’s mind and art in a clear perspective. It uses a bio-critical method to get a peep into his personality. The purpose is to know Waugh’s bent of mind, which if properly analyzed seeks to search for meaning and purpose in every phenomenon of life. A careful study of his mind evinces his inquisitive disposition restlessly probing the mystery of social, political, moral and intellectual questions about human life. The book studies all the three phases of Waugh’s writing career in a lucid manner for complete comprehension by the readers. It also includes an analysis of Waugh’s points of view as reflected in his work. Some concrete points have been taken from his works to form the conclusion. The book will be useful for the students and teachers of English literature, particularly fiction and researchers in these fields.