Vile Bodies (Penguin Modern Classics)

Evelyn Waugh's acidly funny novel of the Roaring Twenties, with an introduction by Simon James

In the years following the First World War, a new generation emerges—wistful and vulnerable beneath the glitter. The Bright Young Things of twenties' Mayfair, with their paradoxical mix of innocence and sophistication, exercise their inventive minds and VILE BODIES in every kind of capricious escapade.

Their escapades include:

• Promiscuity
• Dancing
• Cocktail parties
• Sports cars

Amidst these pursuits, a vivid assortment of characters takes center stage. Among them are:

• The struggling writer, Adam Fenwick-Symes
• The glamorous, aristocratic, Nina Blount

Together, they engage in a fast and furious hunt for ever greater sensations and the fulfilment of unconscious desires, often through their favorite party pastime—a quest for treasure.