Sign in with Facebook
BrokenTune's Reviews > Scoop
Scoop
by
by
Review was first posted on BookLikes:
For nearly two weeks now, the bent and creased copy of Scoop sitting on my desk has been staring at me. Patiently. Waiting whether I was going to write a review or not.
On finishing the book I had exactly two feelings about it:
1. As far as satire of the press goes, Waugh created the most delicious and entertaining spoof I could have imagined. However,
2. This book contained so many openly racist and chauvinist remarks that even Fleming's Live and Let Die (which I had finished just before Scoop) looks like an enlightened and unbiased work promoting intercultural understanding.
For the best part of the last two weeks, I have looked at my old copy of Scoop and wondered whether to chuck it onto the charity shop pile or straight into the bin. It's not a book I would recommend unreservedly. Even looking at Waugh as a representative of a time when sentiments of racial or cultural stereotyping were common and widely accepted, I wonder whether there was a need for it in Scoop because this was not a part of the book that was satirical. Or, if it was, this did not come across well.
So, while I am glad that I have read Scoop, I expected more. Much more.
For nearly two weeks now, the bent and creased copy of Scoop sitting on my desk has been staring at me. Patiently. Waiting whether I was going to write a review or not.
On finishing the book I had exactly two feelings about it:
1. As far as satire of the press goes, Waugh created the most delicious and entertaining spoof I could have imagined. However,
2. This book contained so many openly racist and chauvinist remarks that even Fleming's Live and Let Die (which I had finished just before Scoop) looks like an enlightened and unbiased work promoting intercultural understanding.
For the best part of the last two weeks, I have looked at my old copy of Scoop and wondered whether to chuck it onto the charity shop pile or straight into the bin. It's not a book I would recommend unreservedly. Even looking at Waugh as a representative of a time when sentiments of racial or cultural stereotyping were common and widely accepted, I wonder whether there was a need for it in Scoop because this was not a part of the book that was satirical. Or, if it was, this did not come across well.
So, while I am glad that I have read Scoop, I expected more. Much more.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Scoop.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Comments Showing 1-15 of 15 (15 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Peter
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Mar 09, 2014 11:45AM
Oh boy, you're going to have a great time reading Scoop. I wish I was reading it for the first time...
reply
|
flag
Peter wrote: "Oh boy, you're going to have a great time reading Scoop. I wish I was reading it for the first time..."Hi. I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. I'm not far in (had to get another book out of the way and am distracted by work) but what I have read is absolutely delicious.
When did you read it? I had not even heard of it until someone either here or on the other forum recommended it when discussing Vile Bodies.
Oooo, loved this book =)
Read it first 25 years ago. And it's one of a handful of books which I have ever read a second time. I still use that lovely phrase "Up to a point Lord Copper..." from time to time - some people recognise it, some think I'm babbling!
Peter wrote: "Read it first 25 years ago. And it's one of a handful of books which I have ever read a second time. I still use that lovely phrase "Up to a point Lord Copper..." from time to time - some people re..."It's a great turn of phrase. :)
Read it for the first time last week with dismal timing... or maybe not. I began it the day trump was elected President of the USA. Waugh's racism beat me bloody as did his chauvinism, but his brilliant plot and his stunning fluency took me through to the end.
My first urge was to burn this despite the remarkable satire involved. The thrift store is out - I live in a rural area of Tennessee where white supremacism is rampant... what if a literate one nabbed it? I'll not aid and abet this lot.
It now rests back-to-front on a low shelf of my library.
Perhaps I should read it again the day trump is inaugurated... lord help us.
I called the plot brilliant when I meant brilliantly improbable.
Jim wrote: "I called the plot brilliant when I meant brilliantly improbable."Hi Jim.
I hear you. I absolutely hear you.
Great idea for a plot, lots of wit, lots of valid points about the news industry, but I can't ignore or justify (time period etc.) the blatant racism and spite. Can't and really don't want to.
I binned my copy - and very much delighted in doing so.
Re: timing - It must have been even more upsetting to read this right now. I hope you're following this up with a really enjoyable book as a palate cleanser.
Miriam Toews' All My Puny Sorrows is my current palette cleanser - it's going to take a lot. Toews, a remarkable Canadian writer, is all but unknown in the States - why I do not know. I have and love everything she has written. A Complicated Kindness is a 5 star read of hers, in my opinion, in case you haven't read her. I'm holding hands with familiars for a bit. Recommendations most welcome.All best.
ps - my name is actually Jim Ann and I am of the female persuasion. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ is disinclined to accept double names. Jim was my father.
Jim wrote: "ps - my name is actually Jim Ann and I am of the female persuasion. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ is disinclined to accept double names. Jim was my father."Ha, good to know. Thanks.
That is odd that GR does not accept double names....
Miriam Toews - I am aware of her I have both All My Puny Sorrows and A Complicated Kindness on my kindle, i.e. in the read soon pile. I have a fondness for Canadian authors. :D
When judging the past and attitudes of the past it is always worthwhile putting those attitudes in context and understanding that what might then have been acceptable is no longer so (and that what was then unacceptable might well now be wholly acceptable).
Patrick wrote: "When judging the past and attitudes of the past it is always worthwhile putting those attitudes in context and understanding that what might then have been acceptable is no longer so (and that what..."You don't say!
BrokenTune wrote: "Patrick wrote: "When judging the past and attitudes of the past it is always worthwhile putting those attitudes in context and understanding that what might then have been acceptable is no longer s..."Well, from what you write you don't seem to realise it.
Re-reading your review - "Even looking at Waugh as a representative of a time when sentiments of racial or cultural stereotyping were common and widely accepted, I wonder whether there was a need for it in Scoop because this was not a part of the book that was satirical "- it occurs to me that 'obtuse comment' is still putting it mildly.What, you would have his publisher's re-write the book to accommodate more modern and more enlightened sensitivities?
