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Winters' Tales: Stories and Observations for the Unusual
The most original and influential comic mind of our generation gives us a rollicking tour of his expansive imagination. Alongside the hilarity are intimate, revealing, and poignant recollections of childhood's pains and lost love, as well as remarkable illustrations from Winters' accomplished, surreal pen.
Contents: Unusual stories: Artist -- I miss dancing with you -- Stolen flowers -- Wedding --Hijacker -- Well-kept secret -- Roll in the hay -- Conductor -- Black tie -- King who had to be Queen too -- Face-lift -- Table for two -- Niagara Falls -- Halloween -- Snowman --Old Indian buries an old friend -- Postcard -- My hometown is gone-I mean gone -- Money preacher -- Black lunch box -- Cardboard man -- Fisherman -- Lost valley of the Gods -- Marathon runner -- Campers -- Animal tales: Visitor -- Thanksgiving -- Last day the circus came to town -- My bird doesn't sing anymore -- Did anyone see my doggie? -- Ode to a baby robin -- Ode to a sea gull -- Little bear who didn't know who he was -- Easter bunny -- Bird that couldn't fly -- Stung -- My last flight south -- Faces -- Children's voices: Blinding windstorm -- What do you want to be when you grow up? -- Mirage -- I was behind the couch all the time -- Dr. John Wookey to surgery -- How much money did you make today, little man? -- Little boy's Christmas list -- Baby-sitter and why they're weird or turn weird -- Costume -- What are you frightened of, Johnny? -- Of men and war: Blue Hill massacre -- Rebels -- I want to be a soldier -- Ivy-covered castle -- I stand alone -- Observations: We're going out for two whole days -- What it must've been like -- War paint -- Shadows -- My hobby -- Summer -- My definition of love.
Contents: Unusual stories: Artist -- I miss dancing with you -- Stolen flowers -- Wedding --Hijacker -- Well-kept secret -- Roll in the hay -- Conductor -- Black tie -- King who had to be Queen too -- Face-lift -- Table for two -- Niagara Falls -- Halloween -- Snowman --Old Indian buries an old friend -- Postcard -- My hometown is gone-I mean gone -- Money preacher -- Black lunch box -- Cardboard man -- Fisherman -- Lost valley of the Gods -- Marathon runner -- Campers -- Animal tales: Visitor -- Thanksgiving -- Last day the circus came to town -- My bird doesn't sing anymore -- Did anyone see my doggie? -- Ode to a baby robin -- Ode to a sea gull -- Little bear who didn't know who he was -- Easter bunny -- Bird that couldn't fly -- Stung -- My last flight south -- Faces -- Children's voices: Blinding windstorm -- What do you want to be when you grow up? -- Mirage -- I was behind the couch all the time -- Dr. John Wookey to surgery -- How much money did you make today, little man? -- Little boy's Christmas list -- Baby-sitter and why they're weird or turn weird -- Costume -- What are you frightened of, Johnny? -- Of men and war: Blue Hill massacre -- Rebels -- I want to be a soldier -- Ivy-covered castle -- I stand alone -- Observations: We're going out for two whole days -- What it must've been like -- War paint -- Shadows -- My hobby -- Summer -- My definition of love.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1987
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172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 7, 2018
oh, Jonathan Winters. you were such a delightful and original presence throughout much of my life, so I'm just going to have to edit my memories and pretend I never tried reading this collection of half-baked stories that go nowhere fast, have nothing to say, and have punchlines that are either so awkward-corny-grandpa or so weakly nihilism-lite that I spent an inordinate amount of time rolling my eyes. and man check out that obnoxious run-on sentence I just wrote, egads how embarrassing.
I'm amazed that this was a bestseller in its time. I'm old enough to remember reading or hearing some controversy about the one story featuring a transvestite lad dolling himself up so he can seduce his beloved grandfather, who promptly drops dead from shock. I didn't like that story either, it kinda made me feel sick to my stomach.
that said, I still love you Jonathan Winters! possibly the first comedian who was open about his mental illness. this book, despite its deep flaws, also makes it clear that you were a socially progressive man who empathized with veterans and loved children and animals. I'm just going to pretend you never actually wrote this. except for the intro that featured a moving poem from your daughter to you, which I also loved.
I'm amazed that this was a bestseller in its time. I'm old enough to remember reading or hearing some controversy about the one story featuring a transvestite lad dolling himself up so he can seduce his beloved grandfather, who promptly drops dead from shock. I didn't like that story either, it kinda made me feel sick to my stomach.
that said, I still love you Jonathan Winters! possibly the first comedian who was open about his mental illness. this book, despite its deep flaws, also makes it clear that you were a socially progressive man who empathized with veterans and loved children and animals. I'm just going to pretend you never actually wrote this. except for the intro that featured a moving poem from your daughter to you, which I also loved.
December 27, 2007
A collection of short stories from an interesting mind. Admittedly some of the stories leave you scratching your head wondering why but most of them just kind of transport you to the other world where the insane is the only thing that seems to make sense.
March 12, 2017
The first couple of stories are really good but then it goes downhill. Most of the times I was like "What does this story supposed to mean?". It was worth a read, nothing life changing, that's all.
April 21, 2013
Dark, dark humor and, in my opinion, not that humorous. Disappointing because I really enjoyed Jonathan Winters as a performer.
September 12, 2014
Odd and mildly dark humor. The stories feel unpolished, like a first draft. All include some sort of twist ending, like a punchline, which feels repetitive and crutch-like in a collection like this. Not bad, but certainly not great either.
August 5, 2025
Love Jonathan Winters--I mean c'mon, he's a national treasure. A few moments ago I just watched a youtube video of one of his appearances on the old Jack Paar Show from 1964, and his talent really comes through as a performer. As I listened to his performance I tried to think about how it would come across if we just read a written transcription of the act, and I don't think it would be very impressive, but that's okay because his genius comes through in his flesh and blood characterizations. His voice work is terrific, and not just for the people he creates, but what I didn't fully realize is his remarkable capacity for sound effects that he creates vocally. Okay then, no doubt about it he's an outstanding PERFORMER.
But now here we are with a book of short stories, and I mean very short stories, written by Jonathan Winters. They're generally each about 3-4 pages, with a few even as much as 5 whole pages. He definitely has a voice in his writing. It's dry, droll, often very poetic, and sometimes wryly funny. Many of them are actually sad though, and even tragic.
I'm not sure how to take the majority of these morsels. To me, too many of them fell a little flat. There often seemed to be an intended sense of irony perhaps, that didn't quite land. A large portion of the middle of the collection of stories felt that way. But I will say that the effectiveness of some of the stories started to pick up a bit toward the end. The topic of war seemed to inspire a little bit more success engendering a melancholic philosophy.
The book is a very quick read, so it has that going for it. And it is likely very unique among the books you maybe find yourself reading.
But now here we are with a book of short stories, and I mean very short stories, written by Jonathan Winters. They're generally each about 3-4 pages, with a few even as much as 5 whole pages. He definitely has a voice in his writing. It's dry, droll, often very poetic, and sometimes wryly funny. Many of them are actually sad though, and even tragic.
I'm not sure how to take the majority of these morsels. To me, too many of them fell a little flat. There often seemed to be an intended sense of irony perhaps, that didn't quite land. A large portion of the middle of the collection of stories felt that way. But I will say that the effectiveness of some of the stories started to pick up a bit toward the end. The topic of war seemed to inspire a little bit more success engendering a melancholic philosophy.
The book is a very quick read, so it has that going for it. And it is likely very unique among the books you maybe find yourself reading.
June 20, 2023
Winters’ Tales: Stories and Observations for the Unusual (1987) by Jonathan Winters. This book is more than 45 years old so do not expect to see it in your local book store. It is a collection of the famed comedian’s writings on a variety of different topics, broken into five different sections. Those sections are: Unusual Stories, Animal Tales, Children’s Voices, Of Men And War and Observations. Each section averages about nine stories loosely based on the section title. A few of the stories are slightly humorous, some deeply ironic, a few interesting to some degree, a couple may be very self-reflective, but there is nothing here that is absolutely stellar.
If you come looking for Winters’ trademark broad, weird humor, look other places. These stories feel more like personal notes to oneself than an actual attempt at a cohesive book. Taken as a whole, they sadly do not add up to a very entertaining book. Individually you may find some of them striking, while almost all can be noted for their skewed perspective on life.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. If you want to know about the comedian, look to his vast list of performances or the record albums he produced. Don’t judge the performer by the writer.
I give it three stars just for the look into the non-performance portion of Jonathan Winters’ brain.
If you come looking for Winters’ trademark broad, weird humor, look other places. These stories feel more like personal notes to oneself than an actual attempt at a cohesive book. Taken as a whole, they sadly do not add up to a very entertaining book. Individually you may find some of them striking, while almost all can be noted for their skewed perspective on life.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. If you want to know about the comedian, look to his vast list of performances or the record albums he produced. Don’t judge the performer by the writer.
I give it three stars just for the look into the non-performance portion of Jonathan Winters’ brain.
November 23, 2021
I thought Jonathan Winters was hilarious and my father used to laugh so hard when we watched him on TV that he was nearly helpless which amazed me because my dad was not a really fun guy. There was such genius in Winters' ability to bring a character to life. When Winters was on "Mork and Mindy," I felt Robin Williams was the same kind of comedian and they seemed to be performing for each other as much as for the audience. I expected to love this book but I didn't. Each story was not really a story, but rather a little bit of nonsense you might write down on the back of an envelope while waiting for your appointment in a doctor's office. Nothing was really developed. There were two things that kept occuring to me as I read. One was that he must have been somewhat annoying to know, kind of like a little brother who won't shut up. The other was that bits of his life popped up in every story, his loneliness, his watching and listening to others rather than being a part of a group, his grandiose imaginings that he was a hero, like Walter Mitty. Reading the book was disorienting. I'm not sure what I expected but it wasn't this.
June 10, 2024
Like the best comics, Jonathan Winters moves to a different and unusual beat. He can take a routine fact or action of life and turn it into comedy material. This book is a collection of short vignettes, most are less than two pages, with a humorous conclusion. In most cases, the story takes an unusual turn at the end.
For example, the story “The Wedding” is for all appearances a fancy wedding where the bride and her maidens in attendance are beautiful. Yet, at the end it turns out that it is simply being acted out as a scene from a movie. The story “The Blue Hill Massacre” opens as if it is the aftermath of a titanic battle between American and German armies. However, at the end the battle was carried out between two sets of toy army men.
There was no story that had me laughing. They are all low-key with little tension and no great punch lines. Yet, they end with the sideways move that is both amusing and thoughtful.
For example, the story “The Wedding” is for all appearances a fancy wedding where the bride and her maidens in attendance are beautiful. Yet, at the end it turns out that it is simply being acted out as a scene from a movie. The story “The Blue Hill Massacre” opens as if it is the aftermath of a titanic battle between American and German armies. However, at the end the battle was carried out between two sets of toy army men.
There was no story that had me laughing. They are all low-key with little tension and no great punch lines. Yet, they end with the sideways move that is both amusing and thoughtful.
December 2, 2018
This book was not what I expected. While I know Jonathan Winters's humor was more improvisational and at times odd, these stories just seemed to miss the mark. Granted, the energy of improv comes from the fact that it can go really well or fall flat, but short stories should benefit from a little rewriting so that they don't fall flat. A lot of these stories start well, but the climax never arrives. I liked the last section, "Observations," the best. The pieces contained therein are interesting and provide a look into Winters's life and more important, his view of it. The stories are short, so even if a story isn't good, at least it's over with quickly.
February 27, 2020
What a weird and wonderful book. A collection of very short stories by the brilliant comic Jonathan Winters. It is the perfect bedside reading material. No story is longer than four pages. As with any collection, some are better than others, some are surprising in their depth of feeling, some are just odd,but all are worth reading .
March 23, 2022
This maybe the strangest book I’ve ever read. I would say it’s rambling but if you think deeply about the stories they might mean something or nothing. However if you know who Jonathan Winters was then you might not think the book is strange.
Talk about rambling…..maybe I should write a book after this rambling review.
Talk about rambling…..maybe I should write a book after this rambling review.
July 27, 2018
I read this book when it first came out and I didn't appreciate the point of view in most of the stories. I reread it and a lot of them made more sense. Like the author said in one of his stories, we never truly grow up, but rather continue to grow all our lives. So too with our reading.
June 29, 2020
Late comedian’s collection of short stories focuses on animals, children, war and the unusual. All reflect his offbeat humor, impishness, sense of childhood, reflection of life or odd way of looking at the world.
December 31, 2020
I have the best memories of listening to Winters’ comedy albums in the car with my dad and brother. We would just roar with laughter. This book was disappointing, even confusing in comparison. No comedy here...at least not in any funny way, more of a eye-rolling, groan inducing way.
November 29, 2022
Not at all what I expected. A collection of imaginative short stories. Some hits. Some misses. Some thought provoking. Some simply bizarre. Some very touching and obviously revealing. I was moved by “Did Anybody See My Doggie”.
April 23, 2024
A wonderful insight into the mind of a comedic personality. I have long pondered his ability to make people laugh, his characters, and his stories. He shows that growing old is inevitable, while growing up is a choice. I am glad I stumbled upon the jem of a book at my local GOODWILL store.
February 8, 2018
Collection of short stories. Read about Four or five. All the stories are about sad people and then really terrible things happen to them.
Not enjoyable. Did not finish.
Not enjoyable. Did not finish.
July 23, 2019
This book is amazing, wonderful, and very odd, just like Mr. Winters. I would love to see passages of this book turned into a play. It would be astounding to witness!
March 25, 2020
Not really what I expected. Just some unusual stories but not that many laughs.
November 12, 2020
Read in 1988. Musings from funnyman Jonathan Winters.
January 24, 2024
I have, in the past, really enjoyed Jonathan Winters’ comedy although he could be a little bizarre at times. I was really looking forward to some uproarious laughter while reading this book. Unfortunately, for me, the stories contained in this book bordered on the weird and unusual side of Winters’ quirky sense of humor. There were a few exceptions but for the most part I did not find the book funny at all. It was merely strange and disappointing.
July 28, 2022
An odd book, but the stories were interesting.
April 24, 2013
Jonathan Winters is one of those artists who avoids brands or labels, even though he's best knows as a comedian. Each short story in this book is as idiosyncratically delightful and unique as the author, and it is one of those books that will have to be reread several times. One of the stories that really stood out was "I Stand Alone" - and I decided to typed it out in order to try to understand it a bit better, so here 'tis (hopefully sans errors):
"I Stand Alone"
Most of my life I was alone -- as a child and all through school.
I must admit I truly enjoyed being by myself.
But not today - today I dread being alone.
I've been in two wars and half a dozen campaigns.
I'd never had a brother or a sister. It was only at the front and in the trenches that I met my brothers.
First I fought alongside them, bled with them, sang and drank and cried with them.
Yes, I even led them and finally died with them.
During those wars and campaigns I was never alone except once.
I was cut off from my outfit for three days behind enemy lines.
I wasn't afraid of the enemy, the thought of being captured or even being killed.
It was being alone - away from my men, my brothers that really frightened me most of all.
I spent some time in a field hospital and while I was there the nurses - thank God for them - with their quiet voices, their cheery hellos, an occasional kiss on the cheek, that soft hand on my forehead - these angels in white became my sisters.
My rest, convalescence, was all too short.
My wounds were slight and so it was back to the front.
I was a general now - the most decorated man in the calvary, perhaps any cavalry in the world.
It wasn't the decorations or the fact that I was a general - a hero.
I was back with my men - my brothers.
I was mounted on a beautiful white charger, the rain was coming down in torrents.
But the men, my men, were singing all around me. Those on horseback, even the foot soilders. They were singing for many reasons - chiefly because we were all together and this war was our last campaign - and then home. The whole regiment was going home together!
Suddenly shell fire, rifle shots, cannon, screaming, horses rearing up, everywhere men scattering, looking for cover. And then I felt a sharp pain in my chest and I slumped from my horse onto the muddy, rain-soaked road. We were all being massacred , wiped out - ambushed!
A corporal dragged me to a smoldering stump. He put his canteen up to my lips, the cold water sloshed about in my hot mouth momentarily and then trickled out the corners.
Then a captain knelt by my side, and then two privates, then another and another. The whole regiment seemed to be around me. Even my horse made his way over and the reins fell across the palm of my hand.
We were all going home together, after all. My brothers - the only ones I'd ever known - we were going home for good this time.
I shall always remember the singing, and as muddy as the roads had been and as cold and drenched as we were, we suddenly - all of us - looked very clean. For a moment - I would've sworn that the sun had come out. Then it became very dark - black.
Today I stand alone - no horses, no men, no singing, nothing!
Except it's raining again and I'm in a little town. A ghost town whose inhabitants have all been evacuated. It's another war - another time
And I'm just a statue - the only statue in this little town.
"I Stand Alone"
Most of my life I was alone -- as a child and all through school.
I must admit I truly enjoyed being by myself.
But not today - today I dread being alone.
I've been in two wars and half a dozen campaigns.
I'd never had a brother or a sister. It was only at the front and in the trenches that I met my brothers.
First I fought alongside them, bled with them, sang and drank and cried with them.
Yes, I even led them and finally died with them.
During those wars and campaigns I was never alone except once.
I was cut off from my outfit for three days behind enemy lines.
I wasn't afraid of the enemy, the thought of being captured or even being killed.
It was being alone - away from my men, my brothers that really frightened me most of all.
I spent some time in a field hospital and while I was there the nurses - thank God for them - with their quiet voices, their cheery hellos, an occasional kiss on the cheek, that soft hand on my forehead - these angels in white became my sisters.
My rest, convalescence, was all too short.
My wounds were slight and so it was back to the front.
I was a general now - the most decorated man in the calvary, perhaps any cavalry in the world.
It wasn't the decorations or the fact that I was a general - a hero.
I was back with my men - my brothers.
I was mounted on a beautiful white charger, the rain was coming down in torrents.
But the men, my men, were singing all around me. Those on horseback, even the foot soilders. They were singing for many reasons - chiefly because we were all together and this war was our last campaign - and then home. The whole regiment was going home together!
Suddenly shell fire, rifle shots, cannon, screaming, horses rearing up, everywhere men scattering, looking for cover. And then I felt a sharp pain in my chest and I slumped from my horse onto the muddy, rain-soaked road. We were all being massacred , wiped out - ambushed!
A corporal dragged me to a smoldering stump. He put his canteen up to my lips, the cold water sloshed about in my hot mouth momentarily and then trickled out the corners.
Then a captain knelt by my side, and then two privates, then another and another. The whole regiment seemed to be around me. Even my horse made his way over and the reins fell across the palm of my hand.
We were all going home together, after all. My brothers - the only ones I'd ever known - we were going home for good this time.
I shall always remember the singing, and as muddy as the roads had been and as cold and drenched as we were, we suddenly - all of us - looked very clean. For a moment - I would've sworn that the sun had come out. Then it became very dark - black.
Today I stand alone - no horses, no men, no singing, nothing!
Except it's raining again and I'm in a little town. A ghost town whose inhabitants have all been evacuated. It's another war - another time
And I'm just a statue - the only statue in this little town.
February 3, 2015
Winter's Tale by Jonathan Winters
Collection of winter stories that are quite unusual.
Short stories about winter months and related from the comic who made Mork and Mindy.
Liked the dance one and the pheasant hunting with his grandfather the best.
Military ones were quite somber and sad.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
0394564243
Collection of winter stories that are quite unusual.
Short stories about winter months and related from the comic who made Mork and Mindy.
Liked the dance one and the pheasant hunting with his grandfather the best.
Military ones were quite somber and sad.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
0394564243
April 14, 2013
Had forgotten that I read this book years ago but with his passing, I remembered reading. I agree with many of the comments about some stories as sad and some surreal - but I do remember the book and I do not believe it was a waste of my time to read nor would it be a waste of another person's time to read it.
September 19, 2011
A collection of tales with abrupt endings that may
linger in your head for a while. Credits for Winters'
wild imagination that makes the readers' thoughts wander
-- but some of which, I just find too exaggerated.
linger in your head for a while. Credits for Winters'
wild imagination that makes the readers' thoughts wander
-- but some of which, I just find too exaggerated.
December 9, 2012
What a bizarre book. There are some terrific stories and more than a couple of duds. Though he is a comedian, the best stories are the sad ones. You can tell this is a man who knew life is both tragedy and comedy.
July 17, 2013
Jonathan Winters is one of all-time fave comedians, a master of brilliant impromptu humor. In this clever and well-written book, there are twists and turns and unexpected endings to nearly every story--just what you would expect of one of our nation's comic treasures.
September 5, 2016
A series of short stories and in many cases they were short trips into fantasy land. Some were just "for fun" but others carried a message. As the title says, "Observations for the Unusual" and it certainly was that.
A quick read that one can put up and down
A quick read that one can put up and down
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews