The recently deceased Gore Vidal read this Book once a year for many years , declaiming its humour as a technical proficiency , though always in the form of demeaning those lesser in the class system than himself.
Waugh was part of the lower rung of the upper classes , hence he could only draw clear blue water between the upper classes and the lower ones he feared he may be associated with acerbic , crude, cruel barbs and blatant hostility towards them.
Some regard this Book to be an all time classic , others see it as over-rated crass and puerile.I agree with the latter view.Certainly Waugh never mentioned it with any great remembrance when discussing his works.
This interview from the classic series Face to Face gives insight into the curt and abrasive manner of Waugh.
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