The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Loved One
Book Review: A Must to read if you do not need action and excitment.
Summary: 3 Stars
I found the book, "The Loved One" to be very amusing. Although, I struggled to stay focused on the plot and the story the author was trying to relate. I found myself getting frustrated and bored by how descriptive the author was at times, such as the first time Mr. Joyboy entered the funeral parlor. I realize that an author is trying to be very descriptive in order to bring the reader into the scene, although I needed less description and more action to keep my interest.The book was amusing in the sense that it described a very dedicated individual who loved his work. Mr. Joyboy felt that he had to satisfy his customers even though they were dead. I felt the book took a turn for the better when Mr. Joyboy fell in love with the cosmetician (Aimee Thanatogenos). The book shows that all types of people in any possible place can find love.
In summary, this book will be worth reading to most people who enjoy a funny descriptive love story. I myself, at this point of my life, would rather read "Blade".
Book Review: A Pungent Piece of Satire
Summary: 5 Stars
I really don't know what else to say except that The Loved One is cover-to-cover the sharpest satire I have ever read, filled with tongue-in-cheek plot lines and caricatures rather than characters. That anyone could take the death industry and make it seem so self-important and as normal as something like the automobile industry is sheer brilliance. At less than 200 pages, it's a one day read and a very funny one at that. The only conclusion that can be drawn from it is that Waugh probably didn't enjoy his tenure in Hollywood very much, which may be the biggest understatement I could make.Book Review: A Quirky Comedy
Summary: 4 Stars
It would seem preparation for funeral services would be a difficult service for which to create a farce. Evelyn Waugh takes this uncomfortable profession to a different dimension by exploring it through a love triangle. Readers are certain to smile at the mundane situations the characters have created for themselves.
The aptly named Mr. Joyboy is in love with his work as well as Aimee. In Hollywood he is at the top of his profession, preparing Hollywood's greats for their final performance. But when aspiring poet Dennis Barlow enters the picture with his borrowed poetry, it creates an ever-shifting dilemma in the mind of Aimee. Quite literally, it is a dilemma she is never able to reconcile.
At times, I found myself unsure if it was acceptable to find certain portions of "The Loved One" funny because of the context of the humor. The tone set by Waugh seems too serious to be attempting humor. It is only in the big picture that one can see the humor in the proper perspective.
Book Review: A Treasure-trove of Wit for the Literate Reader
Summary: 5 Stars
Waugh's "Loved One" is as rich in dark humor as one could imagine. Not content to name some of his characters in a way that would do a Dickens or a Mervyn Peake proud (Joyboy, Slump), Waugh trumps the ace in naming his heroine Aimee Thanatogenos... literally "The Loved One, Bringer of Death". The novel is for neither beginners nor flat-liners (just couldn't resist!). The film (I have a copy!) was advertised as "The movie with something to offend everyone!" Even Love, Patriotism and Motherhood are not spared.... Joyboy's mother is about as offensively sick a person as could be imagined and the film capitalized on it. Ayllene Gibbons was suitably gross as Joyboy's 'Mum and Liberace was a natural as Mr. Starker, the gay casket salesman. This was my entry to the World of Waugh and treasure the day I ran into it. Well Done!Book Review: A book filled with dull and foolish charcters.
Summary: 1 Stars
The charcters in this book were dulll and foolish. The first character, Sir Francis Hinsley, hung himself after being laid off form the studios. My second example was Dennis Barlow the young English poet. He came to California to make it big as a poet. That was unrealistic dream that never was going to be accomplished. MR. Joyboy was another ridiculous character. Instead of having confidence in himself and coming out and saying to Aimee he had feelings for her; he hinted to her by arranging corpses to have a smile. Mr. Slump was very underdeveloped. He had dreary dialog and very dissapointing. He gave the bad advice to Aimee to commit suicide. Aimee Thanatogenos was the most feebleminded character in all of the book. She wrote to the Guru Brahmin for advice concernig her love life. She followed the advice of Mr. Slump and killed herself. She was very absurd to follow ridiculous advice. I felt all the charcters in the book lacked good judegment and sense.