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Loading... The Portable Curmudgeon (original 1987; edition 1987)by Jon Winokur (Editor)
Work InformationThe Portable Curmudgeon by Jon Winokur (1987)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. A book of quotations by curmudgeons on a variety of topics. Some sparkle with brilliance, some with humor. A few are malicious, even nasty. Many are keepers worthy of your notebooks. This book resembles Ambrose Bierce’s “Devil’s Dictionary” but is derived from a variety of authors, not just one. They range from Voltaire and Oscar Wilde to Woody Allen and Johnny Carson. From Ben Jonson to Al Capp, arranged alphabetically by subject matter. Included are interesting short bios of prominent world-class curmudgeons. They were a neurotic bunch, but brazenly outspoken. Their zany antics are amusing to read about. It is not necessary to hate mankind to enjoy this book, but it would help. There is something here to please everyone except Pollyannas, to whom it is not recommended. But if you are in a sour mood or lean toward the cynical or pessimistic, you can’t go wrong with this one. no reviews | add a review
More than 1,000 outrageously irreverent quotations, anecdotes, and interviews on a vast array of subjects, from an illustrious list of world class grouches. "If you can't say anything good about someone, sit right here by me."--Alice Roosevelt Longworth No library descriptions found. |
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On the other hand, it hasn't always aged well. The editor has a particular hatred for punk rock, which he brings out for some unknown reason during at least two of the interviews with curmudgeons that break up the quotes by alphabetical subject. The book also directs a lot more vile against women than men, although a few of the observations about men may make up for several of the ones about women. Still, most of the curmudgeons, past and present, are men, so it isn't that surprising. All the usual suspects are here--W.C. Fields, Oscar Wilde, George S. Kaufman, Groucho Marx, and on and on and on. This is still a book everyone should have. Be prepared to be insulted, disgusted, and made to laugh out loud. ( )