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37 pages 1 hour read

Evelyn Waugh

The Loved One

Evelyn WaughFiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1948

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Book Brief

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Evelyn Waugh

The Loved One

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1948
Book Details
Pages

127

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Hollywood, California • 1940s

Publication Year

1948

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Published in 1948, Evelyn Waugh's short satirical novel The Loved One: An Anglo-American Tragedy critiques the Los Angeles funeral industry and Hollywood film business through the experiences of British expatriates and Americans, featuring Dennis Barlow's macabre job at a pet mortuary and his romantic entanglement with Whispering Glades cosmetician Aimée Thanatogenos. This novel describes death by suicide and funerary practices.

Dark

Unnerving

Humorous

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.0

13,529 ratings

64%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One receives mixed reviews. Critics praise its dark humor, satirical wit, and sharp social commentary. However, some find the novel's tone too cynical and its themes disturbing. The distinctive prose and biting satire make it memorable, though not universally appealing. Overall, it remains an intriguing yet polarizing read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Loved One?

A reader who enjoys dark satire, biting wit, and social critique will appreciate The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh. Fans of Waugh's own Vile Bodies, or those who relish the incisive humor of Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, will find this novella's exploration of American funeral culture both amusing and thought-provoking.

4.0

13,529 ratings

64%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

127

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Hollywood, California • 1940s

Publication Year

1948

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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