'Decline and Fall' is the third novel I've read by Evelyn Waugh and I think it's fair to say that though his story lines are never extraordinarily exciting or memorable even, his masterful usage of the English language is both beautiful and soothing. You almost feel like it needs to be read aloud! Waugh's humour is fantastically subtle, enough to make you giggle out loud without dominating the story.
Paul Pennyfeather, a luckless student of Oxford, is cast out of his university and disowned by his guardian, due to no fault of his own except perhaps, insignificance. He is employed at a boys' school in Wales, only to find the systems of education and discipline used there completely ridiculous and halfhearted. While there, he meets some extraordinary characters. These include Captain Grimes, a carefree rogue who constantly lands himself 'in the soup', Mr. Prendergast (or 'Prendy'), a mournful ex-clergyman with 'doubts', Philbrick, a butler with an enigmatic background, Dr. Fagan, the headmaster and his two daughters Flossie and Dingy, and last but not least, the love of Paul's life, Margot Beste-Chetwynde, the wealthy mother of one of Paul's students. This romance soon becomes the linchpin of the novel, as it flings Paul back and forwards between the realms of good fortune and bad.
I really enjoyed 'Decline and Fall', and I think it's ideal reading for lazy days as there is no huge depth to it. Waugh's writing is also always worth admiring.
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