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What's Become of Waring (1939)

by Anthony Powell

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1587174,886 (3.9)3
Unsavory artists, titled boobs, and charlatans with an affinity for Freud--such are the oddballs whose antics animate the early novels of the late British master Anthony Powell. A genius of social satire delivered with a very dry wit, Powell builds his comedies on the foibles of British high society between the wars, delving into subjects as various as psychoanalysis, the film industry, publishing, and (of course) sex. More explorations of relationships and vanity than plot-driven narratives, these slim novels reveal the early stirrings of the unequaled style, ear for dialogue, and eye for irony that would reach their caustic peak in Powell's epic A Dance to the Music of Time.   In What's Become of Waring, Powell lampoons a world with which he was intimately acquainted: the inner workings of a small London publisher. But even as Powell eviscerates the publishers' less than scrupulous plotting in his tale of wild coincidences, mistaken identity, and romance, he never strays to the far side of farce.    Written from a vantage point both high and necessarily narrow, Powell's early novels nevertheless deal in the universal themes that would become a substantial part of his oeuvre: pride, greed, and what makes people behave as they do. Filled with eccentric characters and piercing insights, Powell's work is achingly hilarious, human, and true.… (more)
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» See also 3 mentions

English (6)  French (1)  All languages (7)
Showing 1-5 of 6 (next | show all)
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  SueJBeard | Feb 14, 2023 |
Very enjoyable. If you like his other novels, then I think you would like this one. ( )
  gtross | Nov 29, 2022 |
Not crazy about this book but a member of the my book club who grew up in England said it was satire. I really didn't get it but am going to give it a try with the understanding it is like Punch or Monty Python.
  Pat_Gibson | May 28, 2017 |
In which a small publishing house in inter-war Britain is thrown into consternation when its most popular author dies unexpectedly at a young age. The thin plot is not really the heart of the book; it derives its strength from the well-drawn characters, wry observations on human society, and, especially, the droll allusions to the workings of the publishing industry at that time. It's a charmer which is fun and easy to read whilst displaying excellent craftsmanship and an underlying gravitas. ( )
3 vote Big_Bang_Gorilla | Aug 21, 2015 |
An entertaining jaunt, with a cunning structure that looks more cunning in retrospect. ( )
1 vote adzebill | Jan 20, 2015 |
Showing 1-5 of 6 (next | show all)
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Unsavory artists, titled boobs, and charlatans with an affinity for Freud--such are the oddballs whose antics animate the early novels of the late British master Anthony Powell. A genius of social satire delivered with a very dry wit, Powell builds his comedies on the foibles of British high society between the wars, delving into subjects as various as psychoanalysis, the film industry, publishing, and (of course) sex. More explorations of relationships and vanity than plot-driven narratives, these slim novels reveal the early stirrings of the unequaled style, ear for dialogue, and eye for irony that would reach their caustic peak in Powell's epic A Dance to the Music of Time.   In What's Become of Waring, Powell lampoons a world with which he was intimately acquainted: the inner workings of a small London publisher. But even as Powell eviscerates the publishers' less than scrupulous plotting in his tale of wild coincidences, mistaken identity, and romance, he never strays to the far side of farce.    Written from a vantage point both high and necessarily narrow, Powell's early novels nevertheless deal in the universal themes that would become a substantial part of his oeuvre: pride, greed, and what makes people behave as they do. Filled with eccentric characters and piercing insights, Powell's work is achingly hilarious, human, and true.

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