The Loved One (1948) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“Urbane, snide--and scathingly funny--black comedy about the foibles of humanity on both sides of the Atlantic, using the Hollywood lifestyle and the funeral industry, both human and pet, as its foci. Although written more than 60 years ago (!), Waugh's incisive observations rarely miss; this cheeky novella is truly timeless.”

• Rated 3 stars

“A good book to read even if you don't particularly like Waugh's brand of satiric wit. Droll, but true.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Extremely interesting and a great example of dark humor. Also very creepy and disturbing on many levels.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Ooo, it's sour! Perhaps Waugh's sourest since "A Handful of Dust". It's also one of his best - cynical, macabre, funny, and ultimately shocking, with an ending not for the faint of heart. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“this is outrages satire, i don't even know whether i liked it or not, it is written with such cynical view on humans. i liked it as literary work, but i hope we are not so bad as it seems according to this novel.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Mary B said: 3 stars
How could I not read an Evelyn Waugh for the satire tag? I had virtually no time to read so I would up choosing a really really short one.

His introduction to this is the best explanation of it. He visited Hollywood and came home to write a nightmare based on the experience. This was some seriously DARK humour. Fans of Chuck Palahniuk would likely enjoy it. The early parts based on Hollywood were really funny. Then there's lots of darker humour as much of the rest of the book concerns a funeral parlor who likes to put their focus on the Loved One. Very good but so short I can't add another star. I would definitely recommend it to people who like dark humour and don't mind some jabs aimed at America.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Vintage Waugh. Acerbic, brilliant.”

• Rated 2 stars

“The plot wasn't really that interesting in my opinion and not to mention the author is in fact a man. Whodathunkit?”

• Rated 4 stars

“A great story that was made into one of the funniest movies of all time. I loved this storyline and it's impact on the funeral industry and the high cost of dying in America. Billy Graham actually succeeded in having the movie banned in 19 states due to its cynical/satirical take on death as he considered it blasphemous...”

• Rated 3 stars

“This book was very funny and enjoyable. It is an easy read.”