The Everyman Book of Nonsense Verse

by Louise Guinness (Editor)

This hilariously readable collection of classic nonsense poetry, delightfully illustrated throughout, is a showcase of comic talent and sheer silliness.

The Everyman Book of Nonsense Verse features an eclectic spectrum of contributors ranging wildly from Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll to Hilaire Belloc, Ted Hughes, Ogden Nash, and Shakespeare, with illustrations by Mervyn Peake, Quentin Blake, Emma Chichester Clark, Spike Milligan, and the deliciously sinister Edward Gorey. Such old favorites as “The Owl and the Pussycat” are accompanied by “ The Mystery Cat” and “Jabberwocky,” while Ted Hughes’s “Wodwo” sits alone by the bank of a stream in a state of innocence and curiosity that mirrors a child’s sense of wonder at the universe. Whether sweetly funny or deliciously naughty, these masterpieces of the art of the absurd will charm readers both young and old.

Genres: Poetry, Childrens

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

And so my run with the Everymans' Children's Classic continues and I must admit this was a fun book with a lot of surprise.

So do not take the fact Goodreads state it is by Louise Guinness - it is in fact a wide and varied selection nonsense verses from an incredible selection of authors - from William Shakespeare to Spike Milligan with some very surprising (and some very familiar too) stop offs along the way.

The book really is a celebration of all things nonsense and I loved it - there were so many entries here that I recognised but never really knew.

This series as I have said before has some incredible editions - not only in the quality of their presentation but also in their material. This book was a bit of a gamble for me - bought really more for the completion of the series - however I think this is one of the more entertaining books in actuality.

There are so many other books in this series - I think I may be picking a few more up now.

[James Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and amusing verse. A great way to take one's mind off the hustle and bustle of the world. Also, the hard back is a very attractive book for the shelf if you're into that sort of thing. Light and cheery. Great for kids and adults alike.

[Shaun M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of nonsense verse, with plenty of amusing illustrations. Poets include Edward Lear, Lewis Carroll, Spike Milligan, Ogden Nash, Mervyn Peak, Edward Gorey, and a number of others.

[Fredrik Österberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of easy to read poetry. Works well for anyone (of any age) that wants some fun nonsense verse to read through.

[Jeremy Till · Rating 3 out of 5]

My aunt gave this to me 20 years ago. I can finally tell her, "Thanks. I read it, and it was pretty good, I guess."

[Ember Moto · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming little collection of nonsense poems! Very amusing read. the artwork was a little hit or miss for me depending on the poem.

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Cannot Give the Reasons by Mervyn Peake

I cannot give the reasons
I only sing the tunes:
the sadness of the seasons
the madness of the moons

I cannot be didactic
or lucid, but I can
be quite obscure and practic-
ally marzipan.

In gorgery and gushness
and all that’s squishified.
My voice has all the lushness
of what I can’t abide.

And yet it has a beauty
most proud and terrible
denied to those whose duty
is to be cerebral.

Among the antlered mountains
I make my viscous way
and watch the sepia mountains
throw up their lime-green spray.
(page 226)

This is a collection of nonsense poems by some of the more famous practitioners of the genre. There are original illustrations to accompany the poems which adds a great deal to the overall presentation. I would’ve liked to have had some introductory author biographies and perhaps a few interesting interpretations but perhaps the editor was under a space constraint.