Those huge novels from North America are not the product of diligence; hard labour would refine and clarify them

Those huge novels from North America are not the product of diligence; hard labour would refine and clarify them

Evelyn Waugh, a renowned British novelist known for his satirical and darkly humorous works, was often critical of the sprawling and verbose novels that emerged from North America during his time. In his view, these massive tomes were not the result of diligent craftsmanship, but rather a lack of refinement and clarity that could have been achieved through hard labor and careful editing.

Waugh's own writing style was characterized by its precision and economy of language. He believed in the power of brevity and conciseness, and he often criticized the tendency of American authors to indulge in excessive wordiness and unnecessary detail. For Waugh, the true mark of a skilled writer was the ability to distill complex ideas and emotions into a few carefully chosen words, rather than drowning them in a sea of unnecessary verbiage.

In Waugh's eyes, the sprawling novels of North America were a symptom of a broader cultural malaise, characterized by a lack of discipline and a tendency towards excess. He believed that true artistry could only be achieved through hard work and dedication, and that the best writing was the result of careful editing and revision.

Waugh's own novels, such as "Brideshead Revisited" and "A Handful of Dust," are masterpieces of conciseness and precision. Every word is carefully chosen, every sentence meticulously crafted. Waugh believed in the power of restraint, in the ability of a writer to say more with less.