Scoop (London, 1938) by Evelyn Waugh is a satire on journalism. It is based on Waugh's 1935 assignment to cover the conflict between Abyssinia and Italy while working as a war correspondent for the London Daily Mail in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). Waugh acknowledged that he was not very good at covering wars, but he did keep a close eye on what his fellow reporters were doing. The outcome was a comedic and satirical novel that mocks the newspaper industry and the journalism profession with a playful yet decidedly deadly tone.

The story centers upon a few humorous turns of events. Lord Copper, the conceited and uneducated proprietor of the Daily Beast, inadvertently dispatches William Boot, a naive nature columnist, to cover the conflict in the made-up nation of Ishmaelia in East Africa. At least geographically speaking, Ishmaelia and Abyssinia are identical. William learns a few fast lessons on the crafty methods used by journalists, who are constantly attempting to outsmart their peers and break a story. William returns to London as a well-known reporter after receiving many significant scoops on his own thanks to a string of fortunate events. However, all of it is meaningless to him, and he is glad to be going back to his remote and run-down country house, Boot Magna Hall, where his numerous eccentric relatives reside. Overall this is still an entertaining comedic read. ( )

I've been wanting to read this book for ages - Evelyn Waugh's famous satire on journalism. While still very enjoyable, its bite is now a lot less incisive than it might once have been.

The plot is a rollicking good comedy of errors, displaying a lot of the fatigued disenchantment of mid-20th century Britain so evident in (particularly) comedies of that period. There are plenty of beautifully timed comic moments (particularly in the first half of the book), and grotesque characters.

The casual racism and total disinterest in anyone below the very upper middle-classes is perhaps to be expected, but less to be celebrated. Well, there may be a case that this is just Waugh's misanthropy, rather than actual basic bigotry, but nonetheless renders the book rather two-dimensional (just like most of the foreign and working class characters).

The depiction of the journlist's trade is more affectionate than would be expected these days - they are mostly feckless rather than ruthless and incompetent not outright dishonest. If they influence the news it is more accident than design.

For me, Scoop is more interesting as a period piece than a vital piece of satire.
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Droll, Barney, very droll.(26) ( )

Enjoyed the 2nd time. Quirky Waugh English humour. ( )

Scoop is one of the funniest and most carefree novels of Evelyn Waugh. Its appeal lies partly in our own strenuous relation with the media. Above all, the plot of the novel is based on the classic ploy of mistaken identity, sending the wrong man for the job. As a result of misfired nepotism， a newspaper, "The Daily Beast" sends one of its reporters to a war zone. What follows is just purely hilarious, truly a very funny story.

Evelyn Waugh at his best! ( )