This is really a brilliant book and difficult to believe that it was Evelyn Waugh's first novel written while still in his mid-twenties. If you want to laugh out loud and take a vicarious delight in its rudeness and blatant lack of political correctness then you are in for a roller coaster. Basically a satire on social customs in the 1920s but do read it!

A very funny and poignant story. The characters are perfectly drawn and the social commentary is tight, well-balanced but never cruel. The story about the adventures of the hero as teacher, intended bridegroom and prisoner are the perfect canvas for Waugh to bring together a cast of larger than life characters. Easy to read and reflective.

Made me laugh-never ever read anything by Evelyn Waugh before, but decided to try this first novel of his, seeing the reviews here. I was originally going to read either 'A handful of Dust' or 'Vile bodies'. which had initially appealed to me more. But glad I ordered this one instead of the others.His writing is Waughism-unique to him.

Quite funny and witty in a way I feel must be unique to Waugh but I'll have to read more of his work before I can really sound like I know what I'm talking about. For an introduction to him I'd say this is a good choice.

If you have heard of Evelyn Waugh through the 2008 film Brideshead Revisited then while Decline and Fall is by the same author, they are not alike, not even close. This was Waugh’s first book published in 1928 and is loosely based on his time at Oxford and as a teacher in North Wales. It follows the declining fortunes of Paul Pennyfeather and is a full frontal comedy which tongue in cheek pokes fun at the establishment. It can be compared with P.G.Woodhouse, it was meant to be funny, and it is!