Robert C Benchley's sketches and articles earned him a reputation
as one of the sharpest humorists of his time. The American writer,
who died in 1945, wrote whimsical pieces for publications such as
Vanity Fair, Life and The New Yorker. This book contains a
collection of some of his amusing observations on the complex
absurdities of life, selected by his son Nathaniel. Benchley shares
his techniques of tricking newspapers into submission ('let the
paper overhear you say "Oh, well, I guess I won't read any more,"
and make a move as if to put it away in your pocket. Then, quick as
a wink, give it a quick turn inside out before it realizes what is
happening'). He explains how his lack of visual imagination forces
his mind's eye to relocate all works of literary fiction to his
birthplace of Worcester, Massachusetts (David Copperfield is
appropriately transplanted to his old sitting room). He complains
about the horrors of travelling with children, which 'corresponds
roughly to traveling third class in Bulgaria. They tell me there is
nothing lower in the world than third-class Bulgarian travel.'
Other topics covered include men who wear women's hats, the secrets
of a long life, international finance, spy rings and the social
life of a newt. Although Benchley's writing is of a time gone by,
his style remains entertaining. The pieces are short, so it is easy
to dip in and find a fresh piece of whimsy to devour within
minutes. Benchley fans may disagree with some of the choices made
for this collection. However, for anyone with an interest in the
kind of writing that helped shape The New Yorker magazine in the
early 1920s, this is an entertaining introduction to the American
humorist. (Kirkus UK)
Robert C. Benchley's sketches and articles, published in
periodicals like Life, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker, earned him
a reputation as one of the sharpest humorists of his time; his
influence--on contemporaries such as E. B. White, James Thurber,
and S. J. Perelman, or followers like Woody Allen, Steve Martin,
and Richard Pryor--has left an indelible mark on the American comic
tradition. The Benchley Roundup collects those pieces, selected by
Benchley's son Nathaniel, which seem to stand up best over the
years-a compendium of the most endearing and enduring work from one
of America's funniest and most penetrating wits. It took me fifteen
years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn't
give it up because by then I was too famous. --Robert Benchley
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