A Noel Perrin Sampler

by Noel Perrin

Elegant humor and light-hearted essays. . .

Genres: Essays

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

About the author

Noel Perrin was a professor of English literature, an essayist for the Washington Post, a hobbyist farmer, and a Korean War veteran.

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of Perrin's essays not to be found in the "Rural" series. Subjects range from the Oxford experience to kicking pigeons near Columbia University to dating during midlife. Many of the essays seemed trite, though there were some very interesting ones. In "The Poll of 1774" he discusses the apathy and shallowness of political opinion of the American people at the time of the American Revolution, dispelling the mythology of a universal revolutionary spirit. The best essay in the book was "Trim My Bush, Barber, For I Intend to Go Amongst Ladies Today," in which he extrapolates the culture of 16th century England from the example sentences in a grammar book of the period. Hilarious and clever.

Not a very good quality/quantity ratio for this book. Check out Best Person Rural first.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only met the author once, but I feel I've got to know him a little through his writing. He was a truly delightful man and a fine writer.