34 pages • 1 hour read
Evelyn WaughVile Bodies
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1930A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Vile Bodies, young novelist Adam Fenwick-Symes, whose manuscript is confiscated by border guards, faces financial struggles and fluctuating fortunes while trying to marry his fiancée, Nina Blount. Navigating high-society parties, gambling, and scandal, Adam's life unravels amidst the disillusionment and decadence of post-Great War England. Overtly sensitive topics include mentions of suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Evelyn Waugh's Vile Bodies captures the decadence and absurdity of the young British upper class between World Wars with sharp wit and satire. Critics praise its clever, comedic prose and astute social commentary. However, some note its fragmented structure and disjointed narrative. Overall, it's lauded for its incisive humor and vivid portrayal of a bygone era.
Who Should Read Vile Bodies?
Readers who enjoy satirical takes on high society, as seen in works like The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald or Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh, will appreciate Vile Bodies. This novel resonates with those interested in the flamboyant and often absurd lives of the affluent during the interwar period.