The Best of S. J. Perelman (original 1947; edition 1947)

Such is the outrageous genius of this that It is vain to call any particular work, or group of works, "The Best of . . ." It's a bit like sayinh which is your favourite child, or your most spectacular kiss, or your most memorable orgasm. I'll probably gave away my copy of this volume simply to share the love -- not that I don't have plenty more samples of his work in my more-or-less permanent collection. Included in this volume are "Is there an osteosynchrondroiticain in the house?", "Frou-frou,or Vertigo revisited", and the delirious "Scenario" with the memorably incomprehensible lines, "Greater love hath Onan", and "I am Yankel Patchouli, a solicitor. Here is my card and a report of my recent urinalysis." ( )