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Tissues for Men
Tissues for Men
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 6, 2019
I don't normally go for short stories but this was a decent collection and I will definitely given Coren another go, although some were much better than others.
I'd criticised another book I read recently for overplaying a joke, but in the short stories here the idea of a dog on benefits or an EFL student quoting famous tropes were executed much better, as Coren didn't milk the idea beyond its saturation point (although he did use the line 'it's like we never won the war' on multiple occasions). Some of the writing was genuinely funny, and has stood the test of time, even if it was prompted by an article in the Guardian or Radio Times in the early eighties. Put simply, Coren has a gifted imagination.
Some of it was also interesting as a comparison to today - benefits scroungers and the crowing about WWII victory from non-participants are as prescient as ever, and the description of Disneyworld and the social issues of its idealised version of America could easily be in The Guardian today in the manner of Rhodes and other assorted 'not that nice when you think about it' historical figures.
Unfortunately there were just a few too many stories that didn't grip me for this to be truly excellent, and in choosing between 3 or 4 stars, Giles Coren annoys me enough for a 3, since Alan bears 50% of the responsibilty.
I'd criticised another book I read recently for overplaying a joke, but in the short stories here the idea of a dog on benefits or an EFL student quoting famous tropes were executed much better, as Coren didn't milk the idea beyond its saturation point (although he did use the line 'it's like we never won the war' on multiple occasions). Some of the writing was genuinely funny, and has stood the test of time, even if it was prompted by an article in the Guardian or Radio Times in the early eighties. Put simply, Coren has a gifted imagination.
Some of it was also interesting as a comparison to today - benefits scroungers and the crowing about WWII victory from non-participants are as prescient as ever, and the description of Disneyworld and the social issues of its idealised version of America could easily be in The Guardian today in the manner of Rhodes and other assorted 'not that nice when you think about it' historical figures.
Unfortunately there were just a few too many stories that didn't grip me for this to be truly excellent, and in choosing between 3 or 4 stars, Giles Coren annoys me enough for a 3, since Alan bears 50% of the responsibilty.
September 18, 2023
Alan Coren was a genius. It has taken me a long time to read this book because you have to hear his voice. I took it in stages. Wonderful reminder of the man and very different times.
June 30, 2013
Much read since I first bought it nearly 30 years ago and still enjoyable. Some stories have stood the test of time more than others, simply because of the topicality (or otherwise) of the subject matter. Nevertheless, the distinctive Coren humour shines through it all. I would particularly recommend T'Curse of T'Pharoahs, Near Myth, Some Enchanted Evening and El Sid as stories that make me laugh out loud every time that I read them. Have a look and have fun!
March 30, 2013
Hilarious. The saga of the man learning to survive a new life in the country by referring to The Observer Book of Animals/Birds/Fungi etc is particularly funny. I've lost my copy and really should try to find a replacement.
October 3, 2012
The best English comic writer of his generation. Much missed.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews