Kiss Me, Chudleigh: The World according to Auberon Waugh

Auberon Waugh was a philosopher—savage, eccentric, but a philosopher nonetheless. More than any writer of his era, Auberon Waugh had a genius for dividing his readers into the delighted and the infuriated. Remarkably, he retains the ability to start a squabble, even from beyond the grave.

A Compact Biography and Collection of Waugh's Best Writing

Kiss Me, Chudleigh is both a collection of Waugh's finest writing and a compact biography. It brings together excerpts from his works, spanning every stage of his career—from his early days at the Catholic Herald to his final contributions at the Literary Review.

A Prolific and Witty Journalist

Widely regarded as the most prolific journalist of his generation (and surely the wittiest), Waugh's writing appeared in an impressive range of publications, including:

• New Statesman
• The Daily Telegraph
• The Spectator (political column)
• Evening Standard (country column)

He also penned a wine column, a medical column, and numerous entertaining travel pieces.

Chronologically and Thematically Arranged

This collection is thoughtfully arranged both chronologically and thematically, reflecting the key phases of Waugh's life and his main preoccupations:

• School: Where he received a record number of beatings.
• University: Left Oxford after one year, without a degree.
• Fleet Street: Began his career writing captions for the Sunday Mirror's bathing beauties.
• France: Lived there while writing his second novel and returned regularly throughout his life.
• House of Commons: Made his mark as a political correspondent.
• Grub Street: Found his comic voice while writing for Private Eye.
• Somerset: Settled in the countryside and made it his home.
• Abroad: From war reporting in Biafra to travel writing in Bangkok.

Kiss Me, Chudleigh is a fitting tribute to Auberon Waugh's sharp wit, unique perspective, and enduring legacy.