jjares reviewed Leo Rosten's Carnival of Wit: From Aristotle to Woody Allen on + 3414 more book reviews
Before this book, Id never heard of Leo Rosten what a loss! The title page informs the reader: Compiled and Manicured by Leo Rosten.
Mr. Rosten takes the time to explain different forms of humor and gives examples. Heres a sampling.
WIT: When a man brings his wife a gift for no reason, theres a reason. Molly McGee
WISECRACK: Im a very good housekeeper, when I leave a man, I keep his house. Zsa Zsa Gabor
ASTUTE MOCKERY: We sent missionaries to China so the Chinese could get to heaven, but we wouldnt let them into our country. Pearl S Buck
SPARKLING DESCRIPTIONS: To my embarrassment, I was born in bed with a lady. Wilson Mizner
PUNS: Every crowd has a silver lining. P T Barnum
MALAPROPISMS: What do you mean, the story is too caustic? Who cares about expense? -- Attributed to Samuel Goldwyn
SATIRICAL DEFINITIONS: Murderer: One presumed to be innocent until declared insane. Oscar Wilde
TYPOS: Mr. Baker sent this telegram to his wife: HAVING WONDERFUL TIME. WISH YOU WERE HER. Unattributed
SIMPLE TRANSPOSITIONS: He had the kind of face which, once seen, was never remembered. Oscar Wilde
Then Mr. Rosten offers a variety of wit under 100s of headings (i.e.: Chastity, Freudian Slips, Guilt, Obituary, Sadism, Spoonerisms and Worry).
(From) G K CHESTERTON: Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. OR The Christian idea has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.
Id forgotten what wits Oscar Wilde and G K Chesterton were until I read this book. Rosten offers quotes from everywhere -- from the Talmud to H L Menken. Enjoy!
Mr. Rosten takes the time to explain different forms of humor and gives examples. Heres a sampling.
WIT: When a man brings his wife a gift for no reason, theres a reason. Molly McGee
WISECRACK: Im a very good housekeeper, when I leave a man, I keep his house. Zsa Zsa Gabor
ASTUTE MOCKERY: We sent missionaries to China so the Chinese could get to heaven, but we wouldnt let them into our country. Pearl S Buck
SPARKLING DESCRIPTIONS: To my embarrassment, I was born in bed with a lady. Wilson Mizner
PUNS: Every crowd has a silver lining. P T Barnum
MALAPROPISMS: What do you mean, the story is too caustic? Who cares about expense? -- Attributed to Samuel Goldwyn
SATIRICAL DEFINITIONS: Murderer: One presumed to be innocent until declared insane. Oscar Wilde
TYPOS: Mr. Baker sent this telegram to his wife: HAVING WONDERFUL TIME. WISH YOU WERE HER. Unattributed
SIMPLE TRANSPOSITIONS: He had the kind of face which, once seen, was never remembered. Oscar Wilde
Then Mr. Rosten offers a variety of wit under 100s of headings (i.e.: Chastity, Freudian Slips, Guilt, Obituary, Sadism, Spoonerisms and Worry).
(From) G K CHESTERTON: Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. OR The Christian idea has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.
Id forgotten what wits Oscar Wilde and G K Chesterton were until I read this book. Rosten offers quotes from everywhere -- from the Talmud to H L Menken. Enjoy!
