Consider the Lilies

by Auberon Waugh

Nicholas Trumpeter is a young clergyman trapped inside a loveless marriage. His wife, Gillian, is an atheist whom he has learnt to endure. A passionate affair with the lovely Danae, daughter of his millionaire patron, becomes his main pursuit in life. The pressure of too little work and the boredom of parish community duties take their toll on Nicholas' sanity - until he eventually finds a new role for himself as a useful member of society. A tale of comic brilliance and cruel irony.

Genres: Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Auberon Alexander Waugh was a British journalist and novelist, and eldest son of the novelist Evelyn Waugh. He was widely known by his nickname "Bron”.

Waugh's career spanned journalism, fiction, and editing; he authored five novels, including The Foxglove Saga (1960) and Consider the Lilies (1968), and contributed political columns to outlets such as The Spectator from 1967 and The Daily Telegraph. His most enduring satirical work was the "Diary" column in Private Eye, which he wrote from 1970 to 1986, often provoking outrage with its parodies and polemics. From the 1980s until his death, he edited Literary Review, shaping its profile through his editorial leadership and "From the Pulpit" essays.

Waugh's defining characteristics included an acerbic wit and a penchant for vendettas, leading to notable controversies such as a 1970 libel suit against The Spectator that he won and a 1979 parliamentary candidacy for the fringe Dog Lovers' Party. Despite health setbacks, including a spinal injury from National Service in 1958, he maintained a prolific output, earning two What the Papers Say awards for his influence in British journalism. His memoirs, Will This Do? (1991), encapsulated his irreverent worldview

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very funny but quite dark tale about a world weary misanthropic clergyman cracking up in an English country parish full of eccentric and entertaining characters. Anyone familiar with Waugh’s hilarious and provocative diaries will be familiar with the tone. No idea why this book is not better known. It deserves to be.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm about halfway through this book and I'm loving it although I have no idea where the story is headed. This is true sarcasm and wit at its best.

I found a review of this book that described it as having comic brillance and cruel irony. I just finished this and I couldn't agree more. I will definately search for other books by this author.
I bought this book for ten cents at a fund raiser for the Edgecomb, Maine bookstore; it was worth every penny.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant as the father.

[Dan Honeywell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of humor in this book. I highly recommend it. Just don't wear a flammable nightie sitting close to the electric heater while reading it.

[Marin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty and hilarious, though with a dark, insistent hopelessness that saddened, especially in the end.