Paul Pennyfeather, a shy theology student, is expelled from Oxford after a drunken prank by members of the Bollinger Club, in which he is stripped of his trousers. Unable to continue, he takes a job teaching at Llanabba Castle, a dreadful Welsh boarding school staffed by oddballs. He becomes entangled with Margot Beste-Chetwynde and her circle, and finds himself drawn into schemes far shadier than he realizes. Evelyn Waugh's first novel is a quick satire of English class, education and moral looseness in the 1920s.
Fans of dark, deadpan comedy will find a lot to enjoy. It is a good first Waugh for readers who like their humor dry and their characters ridiculous.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1928
- Language
- EN
