Evelyn Waugh's Scoop was based on his own experiences as a journalist
Evelyn Waugh's comic exploration of 1930s journalism Scoop was the subject of April's club meeting, and while some saw the funny side, others were left less amused.
Supporters of the book did find its humour and subject matter still hit home, despite it being written 90 years ago. They found the farce and satire clever, acid and laugh-out-loud funny.
There was appreciation for some of the eccentric characters, and in particular the family of the protagonist William Boot. In fact, some readers thought the book would have benefited from more focus on the batty Boots.
But as well as farce, there was a sense for supporters that Scoop still had much to say about journalism and mass media. The portrayal of newspaper baron Lord Copper's terrorising effect on his staff still rang true.
There were though qualms about the distinctly dated racist language and attitudes that Waugh uses and portrays. Although they may have accurately reflected the values and vocabulary used in the 1930s, 90 years later they did not endear some members to either author or book.
Some also felt the novel ran out of steam a little in its final third, and that the best moments were in the initial set-up and the main action in fictional Abkhazia.
There was some credit given to Waugh that he did at least show the Abkhazian regime outwitting many of the reporters.
For some though the book just did not appeal, the humour not really cutting through, and the lack of likeable characters putting up a barrier, with everything feeling a little inconsequential. There was much discussion about Waugh's merits and range as an author, and some were keen to read more.
Supporters of the book did find its humour and subject matter still hit home, despite it being written 90 years ago. They found the farce and satire clever, acid and laugh-out-loud funny.
There was appreciation for some of the eccentric characters, and in particular the family of the protagonist William Boot. In fact, some readers thought the book would have benefited from more focus on the batty Boots.
But as well as farce, there was a sense for supporters that Scoop still had much to say about journalism and mass media. The portrayal of newspaper baron Lord Copper's terrorising effect on his staff still rang true.
There were though qualms about the distinctly dated racist language and attitudes that Waugh uses and portrays. Although they may have accurately reflected the values and vocabulary used in the 1930s, 90 years later they did not endear some members to either author or book.
Some also felt the novel ran out of steam a little in its final third, and that the best moments were in the initial set-up and the main action in fictional Abkhazia.
There was some credit given to Waugh that he did at least show the Abkhazian regime outwitting many of the reporters.
For some though the book just did not appeal, the humour not really cutting through, and the lack of likeable characters putting up a barrier, with everything feeling a little inconsequential. There was much discussion about Waugh's merits and range as an author, and some were keen to read more.
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