37 pages • 1 hour read
Evelyn WaughThe Loved One
Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1948A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Published in 1948, Evelyn Waugh's short satirical novel The Loved One: An Anglo-American Tragedy critiques the Los Angeles funeral industry and Hollywood film business through the experiences of British expatriates and Americans, featuring Dennis Barlow's macabre job at a pet mortuary and his romantic entanglement with Whispering Glades cosmetician Aimée Thanatogenos. This novel describes death by suicide and funerary practices.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One receives mixed reviews. Critics praise its dark humor, satirical wit, and sharp social commentary. However, some find the novel's tone too cynical and its themes disturbing. The distinctive prose and biting satire make it memorable, though not universally appealing. Overall, it remains an intriguing yet polarizing read.
Who Should Read The Loved One?
A reader who enjoys dark satire, biting wit, and social critique will appreciate The Loved One by Evelyn Waugh. Fans of Waugh's own Vile Bodies, or those who relish the incisive humor of Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, will find this novella's exploration of American funeral culture both amusing and thought-provoking.