Discover books similar to "Decline and Fall"
Evelyn Waugh
Decline and Fall
3.85
"Decline and Fall" (1928) is Evelyn Waugh's debut novel, a witty and satirical commentary on the British class system and the societal norms of the time. The story follows the misadventures of Paul Pennyfeather, an unassuming divinity student at Oxford University, who is expelled after being mistakenly accused of running through the college quad naked. The novel is divided into two parts. The first part sees Pennyfeather's descent into a series of humiliating and absurd jobs, including working as a schoolmaster at an obscure public school in Wales, where he becomes embroiled in a scandal involving the headmaster's wife. The second part follows Pennyfeather's journey to a fictional African country, where he becomes involved in a diamond-mining venture and witnesses the excesses and absurdities of colonialism. Waugh's satire is biting and unforgiving, targeting everything from the education system to the aristocracy, the church, and the legal profession. The novel is also a reflection of Waugh's own experiences as a schoolmaster and his disillusionment with the society of his time. Despite its dark themes, "Decline and Fall" is also a very funny book, full of witty dialogue, absurd situations, and memorable characters. Pennyfeather is a likable and sympathetic protagonist, and his misfortunes are both hilarious and poignant. Overall, "Decline and Fall" is a brilliant and entertaining novel that showcases Waugh's unique blend of satire, humor, and social commentary. It is a must-read for anyone interested in 20th-century British literature and the works of Evelyn Waugh...
List of books similar to "Decline and Fall":
Evelyn Waugh
Brideshead Revisited
If you enjoyed 'Decline and Fall', you may like 'Brideshead Revisited' as it is another classic by Evelyn Waugh that explores themes of class, religion, and morality in a satirical manner. The novel follows Charles Ryder's relationship with the Flyte family, particularly Sebastian, and his experiences at their ancestral home, Brideshead Castle.
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Evelyn Waugh
A Handful of Dust
This is another novel by Evelyn Waugh that deals with the decline of the English aristocracy, similar to 'Decline and Fall'. The story revolves around the wealthy Brendan Last and his wife, who are forced to confront their own mortality and the crumbling of their way of life.
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Ernest Hemingway
The Sun Also Rises
If you're looking for a novel that explores the disillusionment of the post-World War I generation, 'The Sun Also Rises' by Ernest Hemingway is a great choice. The novel follows a group of expatriates as they travel from Paris to Pamplona, Spain, and confront their own personal demons and the emptiness of their lives.
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Evelyn Waugh
Vile Bodies
This is another satirical novel by Evelyn Waugh that explores the hedonistic lifestyle of the Bright Young Things, a group of young aristocrats and socialites in 1920s London. The novel is a sharp critique of the decadence and emptiness of their lives, much like 'Decline and Fall'.
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F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby
If you're looking for a novel that explores the decadence and excess of the Jazz Age, 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a great choice. The novel follows the story of the mysterious Jay Gatsby and his doomed love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan.
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F. Scott Fitzgerald
Tender Is the Night
This is another novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that explores the disillusionment of the post-World War I generation, much like 'Decline and Fall'. The novel follows the story of Dick Diver, a promising psychiatrist, and his wife Nicole, as they navigate the complexities of their relationship and the hedonistic lifestyle of the French Riviera.
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Aldous Huxley
Point Counter Point
If you're looking for a novel that explores the complexities of modern life and the human condition, 'Point Counter Point' by Aldous Huxley is a great choice. The novel follows the interconnected lives of several characters as they navigate the complexities of their relationships and the modern world.
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E.M. Forster
Howards End
If you're looking for a novel that explores the tensions between different social classes, 'Howards End' by E.M. Forster is a great choice. The novel follows the story of the Schlegel sisters and their interactions with the wealthy Wilcox family, and the clash of their values and beliefs.
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Edith Wharton
The Age of Innocence
If you're looking for a novel that explores the constraints of society and the human heart, 'The Age of Innocence' by Edith Wharton is a great choice. The novel is set in New York City in the 1870s and follows the story of Newland Archer and his doomed love for the unconventional Countess Olenska.
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