They Call Me Naughty Lola: Personal Ads from the London Review of Books
by David Rose (Editor)
Personal Ads from the London Review of Books (1)
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Description
I've divorced better men than you.And worn more expensive shoes than these. So don't think placing this ad is the biggest comedown I've ever had to make. Sensitive F, 34.Employed in publishing?Me too. Stay the hell away. Man on the inside seeks woman on the outside who likes milling around hospitals guessing the illnesses of out-patients. 30-35. Leeds.They Call Me Naughty Lolais a testament to the creativity and humor that can still be found among men and women longing for love and allergic show more to the concepts of Internet and speed dating. Here is an irresistible collection of the most brilliant and often absurd personal ads from the world's funniest -- and most erudite -- lonely-hearts column. The ads have been called "surreal haikus of the heart," and in an age of false advertising, the men and women who write them are hindered neither by high expectations nor by positivism of any kind. And yet, while hopes of finding a suitable mate remain low, the column has produced a handful of marriages, many friendships, and at least one divorce.Here are the young, old, fat, bald, healthy, ill, rich, and poor hoping that they can find true love, or at the very least, someone to call them Naughty Lola. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
These are personal ads looking for love or companionship placed by the erudite readers of the London Review of Books. I found it absolutely hilarious. Best taken in small doses, this might make a suitable book for the loo when you have time to cheer your lonely heart.
A collection of often hilarious personal ads from the "London Review of Books"; I don't know if I would answer any of the ads but it's intriguing to wonder how the hook ups would have turned out. Lots of good examples and seemingly a lot of men in their thirties still living with their mothers, and if none of the ads take your fancy, "They call me naughty Lola"'s index also contains a good biography of Evel Kneivel.
Highly entertaining. These literate and brutally honest personal ads are both hilarious and a soothing balm on the human condition. They comprise a hidden poetry of desperation.
If you're looking for a quick read & love British humor, this might be the book for you. It would be perfect to have on hand if you're waiting in line somewhere. It doesn't take much concentration to read & most entries are just a few lines each.
Quite a few of these were funny, so I found it an amusing volume overall. I also enjoyed some of the footnotes, especially the ones about Herve Jean-Pierre Villechaize ("de plane, de plane"), Yoda ('Jedi Master'), and the extensive appendix of Evel Knievel's jumps & injuries.
2.5 stars. I would give it a little more, but it just doesn't really even qualify as much of a 'book', imo -- more of a lengthy list.
Quite a few of these were funny, so I found it an amusing volume overall. I also enjoyed some of the footnotes, especially the ones about Herve Jean-Pierre Villechaize ("de plane, de plane"), Yoda ('Jedi Master'), and the extensive appendix of Evel Knievel's jumps & injuries.
2.5 stars. I would give it a little more, but it just doesn't really even qualify as much of a 'book', imo -- more of a lengthy list.
One of the best features of the LRB. The selection here is amusing enough - a few made me laugh out loud - but of course better taken in small doses. Say, a column's-worth taken weekly....
First, it's kind of sad how many of these I recognize from the LRB. Second, it's hilarious, and should be a permanent fixture in bathrooms.
Much the same sort of thing as its sequel (https://www.librarything.com/work/9207300/reviews/67749168), which I happened to read first.
Light-hearted silliness for literate/literary intellectuals and wannabes. Some bizarre, some poignant, others knowingly snarky. As with the sequel, there’s a random appendix: this time, a run-down of the career of Evel Knievel (presumably ‘because’ one of the ads made passing reference to him).
Light-hearted silliness for literate/literary intellectuals and wannabes. Some bizarre, some poignant, others knowingly snarky. As with the sequel, there’s a random appendix: this time, a run-down of the career of Evel Knievel (presumably ‘because’ one of the ads made passing reference to him).
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Author Information
Series
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Evel Knievel
- Important places
- York, North Yorkshire, England, UK; London, England, UK
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 646.77 — Applied science & technology Home economics & family management Sewing, Grooming, Life Skills Management of personal and family life Dating
- LCC
- PN4839 .T44 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Journalism. The periodical press, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 417
- Popularity
- 74,020
- Reviews
- 17
- Rating
- (3.70)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 3
