Decline and FallDecline and Fall
Score Classic
What it's about
Expelled from Oxford for indecent behavior, Paul Pennyfeather sets off on a series of bizarre adventures that begin at a minor boarding school and end in prison.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's a sharp, absurd satire.
You'll love it if you liked
Scoop
Vile Bodies
The Code of the WoostersGood to know
It's very funny, though some of its humor hasn't aged well.
By the numbers
- Readers57 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller3 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
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A Handful of DustScoopVile BodiesIf you like this, read next
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Quick answers
Is Decline and Fall worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #1,929 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 65.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Decline and Fall about?
Expelled from Oxford for indecent behavior, Paul Pennyfeather sets off on a series of bizarre adventures that begin at a minor boarding school and end in prison.
How long does it take to read Decline and Fall?
About 8 hours (340 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Decline and Fall?
If you liked it, try Scoop by Evelyn Waugh, Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh or The Code of the Woosters by PG Wodehouse.