Discover books similar to "The Loved One"
Evelyn Waugh
The Loved One
3.77
"The Loved One: An Anglo-American Tragedy" is a satirical novel by Evelyn Waugh, first published in 1948. The story is set in the American city of Hollywood, where the protagonist, Dennis Barlow, finds himself after being dismissed from his job at a British poet's estate. Dennis soon becomes involved in the funeral industry, working at a pet cemetery called the Happier Hunting Ground. Throughout the novel, Waugh uses his signature biting wit to critique the excesses and superficiality of American culture, particularly in the funeral industry. The characters are exaggerated and absurd, and the plot is filled with dark humor and irony. The novel is a scathing critique of the commercialization of death and the ways in which people try to deny the reality of mortality. One of the most memorable characters in the novel is Aimée Thanatogenos, a cosmetician at the Whispering Glades funeral home, who becomes Dennis' love interest. Aimée is a perfect example of the kind of character that Waugh uses to satirize the American culture, she is obsessed with beauty and status, and is willing to go to great lengths to maintain her appearance and position. The Loved One is a short, sharp shock of a novel that packs a powerful punch. Waugh's prose is precise and cutting, and his satire is as relevant today as it was when the novel was first published. The novel is a must-read for anyone interested in satire, black humor, and the cultural critique of the mid-20th century. In summary, "The Loved One" is a biting satire of American culture and the funeral industry, written by Evelyn Waugh. The novel is set in Hollywood and follows the protagonist Dennis Barlow as he becomes involved in the funeral industry. The novel is a critique of the commercialization of death, and the ways in which people try to deny the reality of mortality. The novel is filled with dark humor, irony, and exaggerated characters, making it a must-read for anyone interested in satire, black humor, and cultural critique...
List of books similar to "The Loved One":
Evelyn Waugh
A Handful of Dust
If you enjoyed the dark humor and social commentary of 'The Loved One', you may want to explore more of Waugh's work. 'A Handful of Dust' is a classic novel of English society between the wars, and it showcases Waugh's ability to skewer the pretensions and hypocrisies of the upper classes.
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Evelyn Waugh
Decline and Fall
Another classic novel by Evelyn Waugh, 'Decline and Fall' is a hilarious send-up of the British public school system and the absurdities of high society. Fans of 'The Loved One' will appreciate Waugh's biting wit and sharp social commentary.
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Stella Gibbons
Cold Comfort Farm
If you enjoyed the satirical elements of 'The Loved One', you may want to check out 'Cold Comfort Farm'. This classic novel is a wickedly funny send-up of rural life and the conventions of the British novel, and it features a heroine who is as sharp and witty as any in Waugh's work.
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Evelyn Waugh
Brideshead Revisited
While not as satirical as 'The Loved One', 'Brideshead Revisited' is a classic novel by Evelyn Waugh that explores themes of class, religion, and the decline of the English aristocracy. Fans of Waugh's writing will appreciate the beautiful prose and complex characters.
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Angela Carter
The Magic Toyshop
If you enjoyed the dark and unsettling elements of 'The Loved One', you may want to check out 'The Magic Toyshop'. This novel is a surreal and disturbing coming-of-age story that explores themes of sexuality, power, and identity. It's a challenging and rewarding read.
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Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
If you enjoyed the absurdity and humor of 'The Loved One', you may want to check out 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. This classic science fiction novel is a hilarious send-up of the genre, and it features a cast of eccentric characters and a plot that is as absurd as it is entertaining.
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Muriel Spark
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
If you enjoyed the satirical elements of 'The Loved One', you may want to check out 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie'. This novel is a sharp and witty exploration of the relationship between a charismatic teacher and her students, and it showcases Spark's ability to skewer the pretensions and hypocrisies of the upper classes.
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Kingsley Amis
Lucky Jim
Like 'The Loved One', 'Lucky Jim' is a classic novel of satire and social commentary. It tells the story of a young academic who is struggling to navigate the politics and pretensions of the academic world, and it features a protagonist who is as hilarious as he is hapless.
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F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby
If you enjoyed the themes of class and social status in 'The Loved One', you may want to check out 'The Great Gatsby'. This classic novel is a sharp and poignant exploration of the American dream and the illusions that sustain it, and it features some of the most memorable characters in American literature.
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J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye
If you enjoyed the themes of disillusionment and alienation in 'The Loved One', you may want to check out 'The Catcher in the Rye'. This classic novel is a powerful exploration of the inner life of a young man who is struggling to come to terms with the adult world, and it features a protagonist who is as compelling as he is confounding.
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