A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh is a satirical novel focused on Tony Last, an English squire living in Hetton Abbey with his disillusioned wife, Brenda, and their son, John. Brenda's affair with John Beaver leads to familial and social upheaval. Following personal losses, Tony embarks on an Amazon expedition, ultimately leading to his captivity and despair with Mr. Todd, a man who forces him to read Dickens endlessly. 

Triggering topics include infidelity and the death of a child.

Evelyn Waugh’s A Handful of Dust is lauded for its sharp social commentary and dark, satirical humor. Critics praise its incisive prose and the portrayal of disillusionment in English society. However, some find its bleak perspective and tragic elements disheartening. Overall, the novel stands out as a compelling critique, albeit with a somber tone.

Readers who enjoy satirical critiques of British aristocracy and tragicomic narratives will appreciate Evelyn Waugh's A Handful of Dust. Fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and E.M. Forster's A Passage to India will find similar themes of societal decay and personal disillusionment.

Dark / Melancholic / Mysterious / Bittersweet / Contemplative

- A Handful of Dust was originally serialized in the magazine Harper's Bazaar in 1934 before it was published as a book.
- Evelyn Waugh added a grim twist to the story inspired by his personal life experiences, particularly the breakdown of his first marriage.
- The novel's title, A Handful of Dust, is derived from T.S. Eliot's poem The Waste Land, specifically from the line, "I will show you fear in a handful of dust."

**Brenda Last**  
Brenda Last is a character whose life becomes entwined with the complexities of London's social scene. Her decisions and relationships impact her own life and those of others around her.

**Tony Last**  
Tony Last is characterized by his attachment to tradition and his ancestral home. His life is disrupted by unforeseen personal and social transformations.

**John Beaver**  
John Beaver is a social figure who maneuvers within London’s elite circles. He interacts with various individuals for personal gain and recognition.

**John Andrew Last**  
John Andrew Last is the young and excitable son of Tony and Brenda. He represents youthful innocence and the carefree nature of early childhood.

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Brenda Last

Tony Last

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John Andrew Last