Lanterns & Lances

The last of Thurber's works before his death. I was worried that it might be, like many author's late works, less than his earlier, especially since his best works are those dealing with his family and his youth. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Thurber had fully embraced old-fartdom by the time he wrote this, and his grumpy writings about the foibles of growing old, interacting with children, and even doctors and nurses are classic comedy. I especially loved the various word games he played throughout the book, though I'm afraid I might lie awake at night trying to explore the letter P. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates self-deprecatory humor.

I have always enjoyed reading Thurber, since my Dad introduced me to him. I was in the hospital at the time and to help pass the time he left me with a copy of "My Lie and Hard Times". As I read it I was laughing so hard two women passing by in the hall stopped to ask me what was so funny, I read them the passage I was on and they didn't get it. Tough, it was hilarious and it still is. I have been reading Thurber ever since and this book didn't disappoint in any way. His take on life is always clever and fresh.

There may be one or two essays in this diverse collection you want to skip. That's okay. There's very likely something to please you. I skipped the critique of (homage to) Henry James's works. But I liked the review of My Fair Lady - I want to write a review like that. I loved the piece 'A Moment with Mandy' because he's willing to banter with a small child and even let her 'win.'

Several pieces have to do with his frustration with people who don't love language as he does. One of those bemoans that Latin is no longer taught in the public schools, and includes the quote; What does he know of English who only English knows?" If you recognize the inspiration for that, please comment - it rings a bell but I can't actually remember it, and show more a google search turns up for me only 'medicine' and 'cricket' in place of 'English.'

One more quote, and I hope it makes sense out of context, from 'The Case for Comedy.' "Writers of comedy have outlook, whereas writers of tragedy have, according to them, insight."" show less

These short essays by Thurber are mildly amusing, but never elicited a full chortle.

Not funny whatsoever! He should stick to literary reviews (the Henry James chapter was quite revealing) and cartooning.

essays: How to Get through the Day / Midnight at Tim's Place / The Darlings at the Top of the Stairs / The Porcupines in the Artichokes / The Spreading "You Know" / Magical Lady / Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Me Your Ear Muffs / The Last Clock / Such a Phrase as Drifts through Dreams / A Moment with Mandy / The Tyranny of Trivia / The Wings of Henry James / Hark the "Herald Tribune," "Times," and All the Other Angels Sing / The New Vocabularianism / The Saving Grace / Come Across with the Facts / The Case for Comedy / Here Come the Dolphins / Conversation Piece: Connecticut / How the Kooks Crumble / The Watchers of the Night / My Senegalese Birds and Siamese Cats / The Trouble with Man is Man / The Duchess and the Bugs

In a show more nutshell:

Loved the punniness and wordplay;
Loathed the battle-of-the-sexes B.S. show less

Later Thurber, still funny though!