It sounds as if it could have ben a really interesting book in the right hands. I've never read any of Waugh's books, so I'm not sure about her writing style, though I do often have trouble with books written in another era. Not so much because of the language; like you, I don't think things should be changed because of modern sensibilities. But because of the writing style, itself. They did seem to carry on quite a bit.
Evelyn Waugh is actually male. I can see why you assumed female as it's certainly far more common these days, but it's actually a name for either sex. And back when Waugh was named it was far more a boy's name.
Overall this wasn't over-written - there were a few parts where he carried on a bit. But mostly it wasn't.
This does sound like an interesting book … especially since my (non) knowledge of the British upper class comes mainly from reading regency romance novels in my teens and twenties. I’m sure that gave me a highly romanticized view of the subject.
Can you explain the difference between a book being very English as opposed to British, or would that take too much time and effort? Don’t over exert yourself, I’m just curious.
Also, and I’m not trying to be critical or picky here … I’m again just curious … but when say you were pleased & surprised to say “insanities” - is that an English expression that I’m not familiar with or a word that was autocorrected? I agree with the part about not expecting a book written in the early 20th century to fit current standards, but I don’t understand the “insanities” reference. ☺️
I don't in any way claim to be all that knowledgeable of the British upper class. But yes, it wasn't all 'regency romance-like'. And of course the war (both actually) did have a impact om the upper classes, not only as many lost their young men, but society changed because of the war and there weren't as many people around willing to be servants or at least willing to be treated as they had been pre-war
( ... )
I grew up in Iowa and Pennsylvania, lived for almost thirty years in California, and now live in North Carolina. All four states are extremely different in culture, dialect, history and social interactions … so I’ll guess the difference between British and English is somethIng like that. Thanks.
And unsanitized or not sanitized makes a lot more sense. 🙂 I have no idea how such things happen. No matter how careful I am, and even with autocorrect turned off on my devices wherever it’s allowed, they still happen to me frequently. I used to have a phone that, every time I typed the word “I,” the phone changed it to “Zimbabwe.” I only solved the problem by eventually trading in the phone.
I don't know how these things happen either. And this time is really weird. Given the correct word was in my saved post, I don't really understand how it changed by the time it got here. Very odd. Gosh, your phone that change 'I' into Zimbabwe sounds really strange. I'm glad the problem was solved by trading your phone in, but even so - how weird.
Excellent and comprehensive review, M'dear! I now have a really good idea what the book is about whereas I hadn't a clue before. Oh yes, I do indeed know what you mean about it being very English and wonder if it would be hard for anyone not English to truly get the book, or get 'all' of it, if you understand my meaning?
Thank you, m'dear. I'm glad you now have a good idea of what the book was about. So have I *g* The whole 'very English' is hard to explain; I fancy you have to be English to know what it means. And yes, I do think it would be difficult for someone who wasn't English to truly 'get' the book. But I may be doing non-English people a disservice.
Comments 8
Reply
Overall this wasn't over-written - there were a few parts where he carried on a bit. But mostly it wasn't.
Reply
Can you explain the difference between a book being very English as opposed to British, or would that take too much time and effort? Don’t over exert yourself, I’m just curious.
Also, and I’m not trying to be critical or picky here … I’m again just curious … but when say you were pleased & surprised to say “insanities” - is that an English expression that I’m not familiar with or a word that was autocorrected? I agree with the part about not expecting a book written in the early 20th century to fit current standards, but I don’t understand the “insanities” reference. ☺️
Reply
Reply
And unsanitized or not sanitized makes a lot more sense. 🙂 I have no idea how such things happen. No matter how careful I am, and even with autocorrect turned off on my devices wherever it’s allowed, they still happen to me frequently. I used to have a phone that, every time I typed the word “I,” the phone changed it to “Zimbabwe.” I only solved the problem by eventually trading in the phone.
Reply
I don't know how these things happen either. And this time is really weird. Given the correct word was in my saved post, I don't really understand how it changed by the time it got here. Very odd. Gosh, your phone that change 'I' into Zimbabwe sounds really strange. I'm glad the problem was solved by trading your phone in, but even so - how weird.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment