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Mince Pie
If one asks what excuse there can be for prolonging the existence of these trifles my answer is that there is no excuse. But a copy on the bedside shelf may possibly pave the way to easy slumber.
- GenresEssays
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1919
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50 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Morley
372 books194 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
American writer Christopher Darlington Morley founded the Saturday Review, from 1924 to 1940 edited it, and prolifically, most notably authored popular novels.
Christopher Morley, a journalist, essayist, and poet, also produced on stage for a few years and gave college lectures.
American writer Christopher Darlington Morley founded the Saturday Review, from 1924 to 1940 edited it, and prolifically, most notably authored popular novels.
Christopher Morley, a journalist, essayist, and poet, also produced on stage for a few years and gave college lectures.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 3, 2010
A series of essays on various topics -- some good, and a few sort of dry -- but no matter what he discusses, it's interesting. He can write pages and pages about such a mundane subject as a door! Actually, he is well worth reading -- getting a different perspective on what he writes about just adds to my general knowledge.
September 25, 2014
As usual, Christopher Morley's sense of humor flows through this book of essays. Although some of the references are out of date and might be obscure to younger readers, the book is still a fun read.
Having been a longtime fan of Morley's, I wouldn't suggest that this is among his best books, but it's still worth a read.
Having been a longtime fan of Morley's, I wouldn't suggest that this is among his best books, but it's still worth a read.
abandoned
December 3, 2015So funny and appropriate for the season! It's a free download on Gutenberg site.
February 24, 2021
I have a nice first edition from 1919 which I picked up a while ago for five bucks. It has a bookplate with a clever drawing of book elves. The printed legend is "Ex Libris E. G. Dickhaut". There is a space to enter a number. Number "1325 "is written in ink.
One of the pleasures of second books is wondering whether that means this is the 1325th book E. G. bought. How did it end up in a used bookstore? Did he sell his books or did his heirs unload them to clear out the house? What did E. G. think of Morley's collection of short humorous pieces? I bought this in a Boston bookstore. Was E. G. from around here? Where? Did kids make fun of his last name in school?
Christopher Morley wrote light literature. This is a collection of short pieces he wrote for newspapers and magazines. He includes pieces on subjects like taking his son to the zoo, the difficulty of keeping a diary, or how to interpret political rumors (assume the opposite will happen).
The success of this kind of thing is all in the tone and style. Morley reads as a genial well intentioned fellow just trying to figure things out.
Some of these pieces hit home with me. He reads about a book which sounds like exactly the kind of thing he would like. He heads out in the morning to pick it up and spends hours searching bookstores, which he describes as he goes along, until he finds it. He unravels a shaggy dog story from there, all triggered by his need to get this book.
This is a relaxed read that give chuckles and smiles, not guffaws. The period stuff is also interesting. Automobiles are just taking over. Suburbs are just blooming. Morley assumes a level of literacy and knowledge of literature which no one writing in a newspaper today would assume.
One of the pleasures of second books is wondering whether that means this is the 1325th book E. G. bought. How did it end up in a used bookstore? Did he sell his books or did his heirs unload them to clear out the house? What did E. G. think of Morley's collection of short humorous pieces? I bought this in a Boston bookstore. Was E. G. from around here? Where? Did kids make fun of his last name in school?
Christopher Morley wrote light literature. This is a collection of short pieces he wrote for newspapers and magazines. He includes pieces on subjects like taking his son to the zoo, the difficulty of keeping a diary, or how to interpret political rumors (assume the opposite will happen).
The success of this kind of thing is all in the tone and style. Morley reads as a genial well intentioned fellow just trying to figure things out.
Some of these pieces hit home with me. He reads about a book which sounds like exactly the kind of thing he would like. He heads out in the morning to pick it up and spends hours searching bookstores, which he describes as he goes along, until he finds it. He unravels a shaggy dog story from there, all triggered by his need to get this book.
This is a relaxed read that give chuckles and smiles, not guffaws. The period stuff is also interesting. Automobiles are just taking over. Suburbs are just blooming. Morley assumes a level of literacy and knowledge of literature which no one writing in a newspaper today would assume.
December 9, 2018
These are humorous essays published a hundred years ago, and as such, some of the humor is lost for the 21st century reader. Some of it is still funny today, and some is probably differently funny now from when it was written. Before you read, bear in mind that these essays were a product of their time, and there are a couple statements that are unacceptably sexist or racist for today and are still jarring even when one knows the era in which they were published. Apart from those moments, it is a thought-provoking and entertaining enough book to merit three stars.
Also please note that the Kindle version has some formatting issues. To read some essays in full, I had to reduce the font size for it all to fit on the page, as it was not continuing onto the next page as it should.
Also please note that the Kindle version has some formatting issues. To read some essays in full, I had to reduce the font size for it all to fit on the page, as it was not continuing onto the next page as it should.
March 14, 2013
The articles are all good, but it's important to pick the right mood for each one. That being said, it's a bit like riffling through old newspapers of the past. (As in the 19-teens.) You've gotta be hip to it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews