Novel: Come, Shadow, Come

Introduction
"Come, Shadow, Come" is a satirical, darkly comic book by Auberon Waugh, first published in 1975. Set in mid-20th century England, the novel explores styles of human folly and the absurdity of the upper-class British society. Through its eccentric characters and biting wit, Waugh represents a view of mankind both highly comic and disturbingly bleak.

Plot Summary
The story centers on Roger Clement, a thirty-something playwright of limited success who is enjoying a peaceful life of drinking and smoking cigarettes in a small seaside town in Devon. He deals with his companion Clovis, an aging but still stunning female who has retired from her career as a starlet and now spends her days gardening and having fun with her pet spaniel, Zeus.

The quietude of their lives is shattered when they get word that Roger's mother, the powerful Lady Sonia Clement, is on her way to visit them. Lady Clement is an infamous hypochondriac and has actually required to taking a trip with her own personal "shadow", an odd creature named Piers Patel who follows her around and serves her every impulse.

As the cast of characters expands and their relationships grow increasingly more twisted, the book's plot moves quickly from one absurd situation to another. Roger's old pal and fellow trainee at Eton, the sinister Lord Cringeworthy, attempts to manipulate Roger's life for his own amusement. Roger's partner, Olivia, returns from a foreign journey and winds up having an affair with Cringeworthy. Additionally, Cringeworthy delights in unrequited love for Olivia's lesbian secretary, who herself is fascinated with Clovis.

Social Commentary and Themes
Auberon Waugh's dark humor and social satire heighten the absurdity of the characters and their exploits. The novel critiques the vanity and selfishness of the upper-class British society, portraying its characters as people who prioritize their own desires over any moral concepts.

Roger, the protagonist, is a prime example of this criticism. He is a philanderer and an alcoholic, not able to make anything of his life regardless of his intelligence and literary talent. Waugh depicts him as a coward, reluctant to deal with the truth that his work is average which he is unworthy of Olivia, his stunning and skilled other half. Rather, he conceals behind the comforts of his small, uneventful life, trying to convince himself that he has no ambition or desire for success.

As the novel advances, the relationships between characters end up being increasingly twisted and devolve into betrayal, heartbreak, and even attempted murder. The sense of ethical decay and corruption within the story is palpable, as Waugh supplies a bleak portrayal of a society in which standard worths have long because disappeared.

Style and Tone
"Come, Shadow, Come" is written in Waugh's signature biting, satirical style, utilizing the category of dark comedy to successfully skewer the social pretensions of his characters and the class they represent. Waugh reduces the pathos of their failures and terrible options by utilizing an excess of absurdity and paradox, making their situations and characteristics amusing instead of melancholic.

Conclusion and Legacy
"Come, Shadow, Come" is a highly interesting and amusing novel that supplies a scathing critique of the upper-class British society in which Waugh himself had actually been raised. Although his depiction of that world is dark and unapologetically satirical, it is likewise clearly rooted in a deep understanding of human folly, making the story both brutal and poignant. Through its unhinged characters and the twisted web of their relationships, the novel delivers an excellent combination of funny and disaster that remains unforgettable long after the last page has actually been turned.