Scoop by Evelyn Waugh

LOL - oh how we laughed out loud.

At last, a book we all agreed on, a laugh out loud, very funny read. All the better because not one of us expected an Evelyn Waugh book to be so hilarious, we were expecting a 'classic' of a more 'classic' kind.

Having not expected the story to unfold in the manner that it did meant the beginning was a little confusing but as the scene began to unfold it became clear that this book was confusion personified. That was one of the points. 

There were many points made by the author about foreign correspondence (as Sue Roberts, informed us in her very own scoop) Waugh had been one himself (for the Daily Mail) working in (among other places) Ethiopia and Jacksonville (in Scoop) is based on Addis Ababa.

For a book based in a far gone time (written in 1938) many of the tales and experiences shared were equally applicable to current times and press behaviour. Indeed the scramble for 'news' and a scoop today is only altered by the technology available to do whatever it takes to get it and get it reported first.

That said, the issues raised are a great snapshot of the time - declining Aristocracy, rise of Capitalism, Fascism, Bureaucracy gone mad, the rise of the servant classes, Germany and Russia. 

The little 'asides' throughout the book are wonderful and keep the humour flowing.

Of the characters we loved Mr Baldwin (and his Cuthbert), were thoroughly entertained by the crazy Mrs Stitch, were appalled by Lord Copper, disliked Katchen and felt very sorry for Salter (although all came good for him in the end). William was the most surprising character of all and can only be described as an assertive push over.

The cleft stick left us confused - apparently all: A cleft stick was a piece of wood with a 'Y' shaped end into which a message, or later a piece of newspaper copy, could be inserted for ease of carrying by a messenger. When Lord Copper suggests that Boot should take some cleft sticks with him to Abyssinia, he is implying that his correspondent might encounter some problems. Whether such implements were in reality still in use at the time of his Abyssinian adventure, who knows?

Our next meeting is on Tuesday 10th July at 8.15 when we will discuss When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman.