Ronald Harwood tells the story of the circumstances and events which inspired "Decline and Fall", "Brideshead Revisited" and "The Ordeal of Gilbert Pinfold" and, through the history of these books, draws a picture of one of the most accomplished English writers of the 20th century.
Underneath the comic surface of Evelyn Waugh's writing there is a great sense of sadness at the ridiculous and pointless ways in which human life is spent and wasted. Beneath his formidable public personality and outspoken behaviour, he concealed enormous sensitivity, melancholy and nostalgia for lost happiness and beauty.

(Feature p15)