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The Big Book of Irony
Jon Winokur defines and classifies irony and contrasts it with coincidence and cynicism, and other oft-confused concepts that many think are ironic.
He looks at the different forms irony can take, from an irony deficiency to visual irony to an understatement, using photographs and relate-able examples from pop culture.
* "Irony in Action" looks at irony in language, both verbal and visual, while "Bastions of Irony" and "Masters of Irony" look at institutions and individuals steeped in irony, though not always intentionally.
PLUS:
* The Annals of Irony looks at irony, and its lack thereof, throughout history.
A delight for anyone with a smart, dark sense of humor.
He looks at the different forms irony can take, from an irony deficiency to visual irony to an understatement, using photographs and relate-able examples from pop culture.
* "Irony in Action" looks at irony in language, both verbal and visual, while "Bastions of Irony" and "Masters of Irony" look at institutions and individuals steeped in irony, though not always intentionally.
PLUS:
* The Annals of Irony looks at irony, and its lack thereof, throughout history.
A delight for anyone with a smart, dark sense of humor.
- GenresNonfictionLanguageHumor
192 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2007
10 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Jon Winokur
35 books18 followersJon Winokur (b. Aug. 5, 1947) is an American writer and editor. Born in Detroit, the son of Martin M. and Elinor Winokur, he attended Temple University (BA, 1970) and the University of West Los Angeles (JD, 1980). He lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 15, 2015
I wanted to read this after it was book-talked on Unshelved some time ago. Sadly, I was disappointed by the contents for two main reasons.
1) This is not a book. Okay, it's a book, but Jon Winokur is not the writer. He should be called the editor, because this book is actually an anthology of long, direct quotes about irony. There's very little original writing that went into this, which makes for really uncomfortable pacing. I would say that it reads like someone's undergraduate thesis on irony more than an actual book.
2) I don't feel like I understand irony any better after reading this. For instance, he starts out the book listing off a dozen different "types" of irony, which is really useful. But then he keeps using the words "irony" and "ironic" without qualifying which type he means (Although it's likely he usually means ambient irony). Also, he listed some things as being unironic that I thought were clearly ironic, and he listed some things as being ironic that just seemed funny or coincidental. The quotes and statements are only sometimes explained or put into context, which is a real weakness. For instance, he sometimes pulls quotes from people that seem to disagree with each other (Nietzsche especially). Maybe the speakers/writers really did contradict themselves, but I do sometimes wonder if taking the quotes out of context might have altered their meaning.
Anyway, reading 154 pages of long, direct quotes about irony is actually fairly painful by the end. I wouldn't really recommend this unless you're REALLY curious about it.
1) This is not a book. Okay, it's a book, but Jon Winokur is not the writer. He should be called the editor, because this book is actually an anthology of long, direct quotes about irony. There's very little original writing that went into this, which makes for really uncomfortable pacing. I would say that it reads like someone's undergraduate thesis on irony more than an actual book.
2) I don't feel like I understand irony any better after reading this. For instance, he starts out the book listing off a dozen different "types" of irony, which is really useful. But then he keeps using the words "irony" and "ironic" without qualifying which type he means (Although it's likely he usually means ambient irony). Also, he listed some things as being unironic that I thought were clearly ironic, and he listed some things as being ironic that just seemed funny or coincidental. The quotes and statements are only sometimes explained or put into context, which is a real weakness. For instance, he sometimes pulls quotes from people that seem to disagree with each other (Nietzsche especially). Maybe the speakers/writers really did contradict themselves, but I do sometimes wonder if taking the quotes out of context might have altered their meaning.
Anyway, reading 154 pages of long, direct quotes about irony is actually fairly painful by the end. I wouldn't really recommend this unless you're REALLY curious about it.
April 7, 2009
"How is one to live a moral and compassionate existence when one is fully aware of the blood, the horror inherent in life, when one finds darkness not only in one's culture but within oneself? If there is a stage at which an individual life becomes truly adult, it must be when one grasps the irony in its unfolding and accepts responsibility for a life lived in the midst of such paradox. One must live in the middle of contradiction, because if all contradiction were eliminated at once life would collapse. There are simply no answers to some of the great pressing questions. You continue to live them out, making your life a worthy expression of leaning into the light."
"Irony, like the greedy witch from a Danish fairy tale, must eventually devour even its own stomach."
"Postmodern agenda: The peep show is the art form; the voyeur is the protagonist; the goal is excitement from a safe distance; the alibi is that it's all ironic."
"Yronye--of grammare, by the whiche a man sayth one & gyveth to understande the contrarye."
"To pretend, I actually do the thing: I have therefore only pretended to pretend."
"Irony, like the greedy witch from a Danish fairy tale, must eventually devour even its own stomach."
"Postmodern agenda: The peep show is the art form; the voyeur is the protagonist; the goal is excitement from a safe distance; the alibi is that it's all ironic."
"Yronye--of grammare, by the whiche a man sayth one & gyveth to understande the contrarye."
"To pretend, I actually do the thing: I have therefore only pretended to pretend."
March 29, 2008
Two things attracted me to this book:
1- The Ironic title.
2 - The Book's library number
3 - The quote on the back.
Yes, this book tickled my belly, not as much as I wanted. so 3 stars.
1- The Ironic title.
2 - The Book's library number
3 - The quote on the back.
Yes, this book tickled my belly, not as much as I wanted. so 3 stars.
May 14, 2009
Entertaining but not as critical as I would have liked. Does not use the best examples to clarify his definitions. I expected it to go further into the politics of language and really dig into some of the most contemporary and prominent ironies, such as ironic consumerism- -which is so much a part of pop culture and a driving force of young consumers. Actually, I don't think Urban Outfitters would be in business without it. A little superficial, but fun I suppose.
September 7, 2023
Nonfiction book that looks at irony. There is a little bit of explanation, but mostly quotations as examples.
I still don’t understand. By definition, it still sounds like sarcasm to me. Examples didn’t help. In addition, there are about 50,000 different types of irony, apparently. (OK, slight exaggeration.) A few examples were amusing (Billy Joel’s 11-year old daughter asking him not to sing – is this ironic?), but still didn’t help me understand. It started with explanations of the different types of irony, then a history of irony (all with examples). There were various examples of authors using irony, irony in pop culture (Alanis Morissette’s song, of course, mentioned more than once that those things aren’t ironic; The Simpsons, and other examples). At least it was fast to read. I liked that there were a number of Canadian examples. But I still don’t “get” it. Honestly, with all the various different types of irony, I’m probably more confused than ever.
I still don’t understand. By definition, it still sounds like sarcasm to me. Examples didn’t help. In addition, there are about 50,000 different types of irony, apparently. (OK, slight exaggeration.) A few examples were amusing (Billy Joel’s 11-year old daughter asking him not to sing – is this ironic?), but still didn’t help me understand. It started with explanations of the different types of irony, then a history of irony (all with examples). There were various examples of authors using irony, irony in pop culture (Alanis Morissette’s song, of course, mentioned more than once that those things aren’t ironic; The Simpsons, and other examples). At least it was fast to read. I liked that there were a number of Canadian examples. But I still don’t “get” it. Honestly, with all the various different types of irony, I’m probably more confused than ever.
June 27, 2020
Funny (sometimes laugh out loud) but a bit too wordy and pompous at times. Occasionally got things wrong: (e.g.: declared the 'male' hormone testosterone gives women their sex drives. Wrong because 1) it's been disproved but it's one of those myths that will not die and 2) calling testosterone a male hormone is like calling muscles male. Sure, males have more muscle mass and more testosterone on average compared to females, but they're not gender unique. Also, testosterone plays essential roles in female development - e.g. it's essential for ovulation. So yeah, not male hormone.)
So what's my understanding of irony now that I finished the book? According to the questionnaire at the end: moderate, but don't hold your breath :)
So what's my understanding of irony now that I finished the book? According to the questionnaire at the end: moderate, but don't hold your breath :)
November 23, 2023
Toss this book aside and watch five minutes of a routine from the comedian Steven Wright. You will enjoy it a thousand times more, and honestly understand irony better.
March 6, 2017
Though there's very little original writing in this one — it's more collection and compilation than exploration — it was a quick, often funny read.
Perhaps a pocket-sized coffee table book on irony had to be written.
Perhaps a pocket-sized coffee table book on irony had to be written.
May 17, 2017
The cover alone gets a star. But irony remains undefined. And there aren't enough examples - the book is short and a lot of the words are quotes from other people attempting to define it.
I was especially bothered by the Morissette example. Supposedly everybody know's that Alanis's hit song was about coincidences, sad and random things. But just a dozen pages later, Winokur defines ambient irony as that which "results for the difference between what we want and what we get." Well, doesn't a "a no-smoking sign on your cigarette break" fit that?
Whatever. I don't care. Sometimes I'm a little cynical, but I'm never malicious or flip, and one of the chapters of the book argues against irony and for sincerity. Another argues for irony and clear-sightedness & skepticism. So, Winokur is apparently saying, ultimately, 'you decide.'
I did learn that 'roman' is French for 'novel' which explains why the classic adventure stories are called 'romances' even when there's no love affair.
And I like this quote by Agnes Repplier, from In Pursuit of Laughter: "Humor brings insight and tolerance. Irony brings a deeper and less friendly understanding."
Not a bad book, but I recommend it only if you're truly interested, and can get it from your library. Even then, I recommend you feel free to skim.
I was especially bothered by the Morissette example. Supposedly everybody know's that Alanis's hit song was about coincidences, sad and random things. But just a dozen pages later, Winokur defines ambient irony as that which "results for the difference between what we want and what we get." Well, doesn't a "a no-smoking sign on your cigarette break" fit that?
Whatever. I don't care. Sometimes I'm a little cynical, but I'm never malicious or flip, and one of the chapters of the book argues against irony and for sincerity. Another argues for irony and clear-sightedness & skepticism. So, Winokur is apparently saying, ultimately, 'you decide.'
I did learn that 'roman' is French for 'novel' which explains why the classic adventure stories are called 'romances' even when there's no love affair.
And I like this quote by Agnes Repplier, from In Pursuit of Laughter: "Humor brings insight and tolerance. Irony brings a deeper and less friendly understanding."
Not a bad book, but I recommend it only if you're truly interested, and can get it from your library. Even then, I recommend you feel free to skim.
July 9, 2015
- witty, playful explanation of irony
- defines and classifies irony and contrasts it with coincidence and cynicism, and other oft-confused concepts that many think are ironic
- wonderful, actually
- I really enjoyed it!
- excerpts I liked:
"Irony is inherently confusing. Not only are its definitions confusing; it is confusing by definition." Jennifer Thompson.
"Irony is the intentional transmission of both information and evaluative attitude other than what is explicitly presented." Linda Hutcheon
"Irony deals with opposites; it has nothing to do with coincidence. If two baseball players from the same hometown, on different teams, receive the same uniform number, it is not ironic. It is a coincidence. If Barry Bonds attains lifetime statistics identical to his father's, it will not be ironic. It will be a coincidence."
"Irony is 'a state of affairs that is the reverse of what was to be expected; a result opposite to and in mockery of the appropriate result.' A diabetic, on his way to buy insulin, is killed by a runaway truck. He is the victim of an accident. If the truck was delivering sugar, he is the victim of an oddly poetic coincidence. But if the truck was delivering insulin, ah! Then he is the victim of an irony."
"Irony is a way of containing two opposites in your head at the same time." Douglas Coupland
- defines and classifies irony and contrasts it with coincidence and cynicism, and other oft-confused concepts that many think are ironic
- wonderful, actually
- I really enjoyed it!
- excerpts I liked:
"Irony is inherently confusing. Not only are its definitions confusing; it is confusing by definition." Jennifer Thompson.
"Irony is the intentional transmission of both information and evaluative attitude other than what is explicitly presented." Linda Hutcheon
"Irony deals with opposites; it has nothing to do with coincidence. If two baseball players from the same hometown, on different teams, receive the same uniform number, it is not ironic. It is a coincidence. If Barry Bonds attains lifetime statistics identical to his father's, it will not be ironic. It will be a coincidence."
"Irony is 'a state of affairs that is the reverse of what was to be expected; a result opposite to and in mockery of the appropriate result.' A diabetic, on his way to buy insulin, is killed by a runaway truck. He is the victim of an accident. If the truck was delivering sugar, he is the victim of an oddly poetic coincidence. But if the truck was delivering insulin, ah! Then he is the victim of an irony."
"Irony is a way of containing two opposites in your head at the same time." Douglas Coupland
November 8, 2014
I picked up the The Big Book of Irony because of a long standing thought that I have no real idea of what irony is, despite that fact that I'm suppose to know and identify it for my work in school and just in general speech.
This seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to skim a few pages and finally have the unexplainable explained properly. I however, ended up not just skimming the pages but reading the book all the way through and enjoyed it more then I thought I would for a short non-fiction book about such a subject as irony.
With references to blogs, wikipedia, quotes, etc. the more I read of this book the less it felt like an education injunction and the more it felt like I was reading the work of a literary geek who was taking the time to sit down with me to try to explain exactly how irony works, what it is, and what it isn't in the most enthusiastic yet, frustrated voice possible.
I enjoyed reading this but not everybody will, with pages after pages of never ending quotes and explanations. It was a fun look into a subject that goes beyond just how irony is used but also delving into the thoughts and actions of people who know how to use it.
This seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to skim a few pages and finally have the unexplainable explained properly. I however, ended up not just skimming the pages but reading the book all the way through and enjoyed it more then I thought I would for a short non-fiction book about such a subject as irony.
With references to blogs, wikipedia, quotes, etc. the more I read of this book the less it felt like an education injunction and the more it felt like I was reading the work of a literary geek who was taking the time to sit down with me to try to explain exactly how irony works, what it is, and what it isn't in the most enthusiastic yet, frustrated voice possible.
I enjoyed reading this but not everybody will, with pages after pages of never ending quotes and explanations. It was a fun look into a subject that goes beyond just how irony is used but also delving into the thoughts and actions of people who know how to use it.
April 24, 2020
Instagram Review: www.instagram.com/p/B93AD3_A3kn/
This wonderful little book really devotes itself to expanding your hands-on understanding of the concept of literary irony, starting with its title, The Big Book of Irony. The moment you hold this small, convenient volume in your hands, the meaning of that title, and your understanding of it, begin to change. And the lessons progress from there.
I personally find it strange this book receives such a low score here on goodreads, as I found this book incredibly useful in identifying the different kinds of irony and what forms those take in a variety of contexts. Perhaps most important to my goals as a writer, in the extensive examples Winokur provided in each sections, I got to witness many different masters of writing utilize irony in countless different ways.
If you've ever wanted to use irony in your writing, but didn't have the confidence, or you wanted to learn more about it first, this book will give you the foundation you're after. I consider this an indispensable writing support text. If you don't use rhetorical devices in your writing, this one may not be as useful to you. Happy writing fellow creatives!
This wonderful little book really devotes itself to expanding your hands-on understanding of the concept of literary irony, starting with its title, The Big Book of Irony. The moment you hold this small, convenient volume in your hands, the meaning of that title, and your understanding of it, begin to change. And the lessons progress from there.
I personally find it strange this book receives such a low score here on goodreads, as I found this book incredibly useful in identifying the different kinds of irony and what forms those take in a variety of contexts. Perhaps most important to my goals as a writer, in the extensive examples Winokur provided in each sections, I got to witness many different masters of writing utilize irony in countless different ways.
If you've ever wanted to use irony in your writing, but didn't have the confidence, or you wanted to learn more about it first, this book will give you the foundation you're after. I consider this an indispensable writing support text. If you don't use rhetorical devices in your writing, this one may not be as useful to you. Happy writing fellow creatives!
August 18, 2009
With this fun, quick, and witty book, Jon Winokur has added a new volume to the annals of irony. The book is overflowing with clever quotes, jokes, and anecdotes all of which are examples of irony. This is the kind of book that can be enjoyed reading cover to cover, or just as random snippets. There's a lot of great stuff here, including a Catholic Cardinal surnamed Sin, the "Marlboro Man" who died of lung cancer, the B-36 Peacemaker nuclear bomber, and censorship of Ray Bradbury's book Fahrenheit 451. Under the heading of "Irony Deficiency," the author indicates that "Utah will never, ever be ironic."
Although thoroughly entertaining, I'd hoped to come away with a better grasp on irony, but even after all the examples & explanations, comparisons & contrasts, irony remains every so slippery of a concept. Maybe it's because I live in Utah.
Although thoroughly entertaining, I'd hoped to come away with a better grasp on irony, but even after all the examples & explanations, comparisons & contrasts, irony remains every so slippery of a concept. Maybe it's because I live in Utah.
October 20, 2016
I realized the irony of the title when this book actually arrived in the mail. You obviously can't tell from the picture, but it's so small it almost fits in my pocket.
Other than that fun little realization, I was unimpressed with the book overall. Mostly because I wanted clearly-defined rules telling me what irony is and what it isn't, but they don't seem to exist. The book was mostly just quotes of famous people giving their takes on irony, which were often confusing or contradictory. I probably understand less about irony now than I did before picking this up.
Other than that fun little realization, I was unimpressed with the book overall. Mostly because I wanted clearly-defined rules telling me what irony is and what it isn't, but they don't seem to exist. The book was mostly just quotes of famous people giving their takes on irony, which were often confusing or contradictory. I probably understand less about irony now than I did before picking this up.
February 5, 2011
A helpful and funny guide to irony for the popular masses. Winokur is an excellent researcher and archivalist. I found that I had a very enjoyable time reading through the snippets of the history of irony. For what it is, this book is great. However, more serious ironists should check out Linda Hutcheon, Claire Colebrook, let alone the master in Soren Kierekgaard's doctoral dissertation itself.
September 4, 2008
This little book is a quick read and a great introduction to irony. There are tons of pop culture references and great examples explaining the differences between irony and hypocrisy, cynicism and sarcasm.
November 11, 2011
A fascination snap-shot of irony and how it impacts our culture. Think of it as a stepping stone to increasing your knowledge of what irony is, how it is used and it's impact on books, television and popular culture. It's also an excellent introduction to several 'ironic' authors.
January 2, 2013
The Big Book of Irony is (what else?) a small volume of drollery that packs a punch. Although easy to read and digest, it contains enough straightforward information and suggestions for further reading to keep me busy for awhile. I'm hanging on to this one.
July 27, 2008
I didn't finish it, it was kind of like a book by Hallmark- quotes, stories, and quips about irony. I'd read it if I was in a dentist's office.
May 18, 2010
i like this book very much. It contains theory of irony and make me exactly understand about irony. Moreover, I can use irony to color the life.
October 20, 2010
I loved that this big book was so teeny tiny!
May 14, 2011
As you'd expect, it is rather small and too short. Lots of entertaining tidbits.
July 28, 2011
Very good, very readable, and very interesting.
May 13, 2012
Basically a collection of quotes, organized around various aspects of irony. Pretty good. Definitely readable and fun.
September 25, 2013
I was entranced by the utter devotion to detail exhibited by this book!
March 6, 2014
Short, amusing diversion.
September 2, 2014
Actually, it's a small book. Which is ironic, right? Or is it? I'm still not sure exactly how to define what's ironic. Except that Alanis Morrissette's song isn't.
June 20, 2016
There were so many quotes and references. Many were enjoyable, but at times it felt a little overwhelming. Humorous and a good reminder of high school English.
January 27, 2008
It's actually a really small book. See? That's ironic.
February 26, 2008
Awesome!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews