A Handful Of Dust

Description

After seven years of marriage the beautiful Lady Brenda Last is bored with life at Hetton Abbey, the Gothic mansion that is the pride and joy of her husband, Tony. She drifts into an affair with the shallow socialite John Beaver and forsakes Tony for the Belgravia set. Brilliantly combining tragedy, comedy and savage irony, "A Handful of Dust" captures the irresponsible mood of the 'crazy and sterile generation' between the wars. The breakdown of the Last marriage, is a painful, comic re-working of Waugh's own divorce and a symbol of the disintegration of society.

Reviews

One of the twentieth century's most chilling and bitter novels; and one of its best - Nicholas Lezard Guardian This is a masterpiece of stylish satire, and is funny too ... a marvellous book - Irish Times Irish Times