Evelyn Waugh and the Problem of Evil

Originally published in 1991, this elegantly written book offers new readers a useful approach to the work of Evelyn Waugh and will persuade those familiar with it to look at it afresh. This introduction to Waughs novels places them high in the catalogue of great fiction. It claims for them an intellectual coherence, subtlety and seriousness which Waughs disconcerting comic gifts and extravagant public and writing persona have tended to put in the shade. In addressing the nature of Waughs comic writing William Myers has borrowed George Batailles concept of Evil as a convenient way of dealing with the most troubling and exciting aspects of Waughs work: its sadism, its childish irresponsibility, its fascination with lunacy and death.