Waugh’s second novel takes place just before WWI and tells the story of a group of “Bright Young Things’ whose lives consist mostly of parties (where there are nothing but ‘vile bodies’), drinking, gambling, and spending money.  Adam Fenwick-Symes and Nora Blount are the main characters though many others make appearances including the drunk Major, Agatha Runcible (killed in a car crash after she takes over as the alternative driver in an auto race), various gossip column writers, Lord Blount, Lottie the hotel keeper, and a raft of others.  Waugh is intent on satirizing British society and its strict rules and classes, a world coming to an abrupt end with the War.  Funny, but not as funny though similar in technique and tone, as Scoop.  Recommended and loaned by Tom Asher.