World Famous Comics: Fables for Our Time (Harper Colophon Books, Cn/999)
Fables for Our Time (Harper Colophon Books, Cn/999)
By: James Thurber Publisher: Harper Perennial Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Harper Perennial Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 144 Publication Date: April 23, 1983 Release Date: March 23, 1983
Product Description: James Thurber has been called "one of our great American institutions' (Stanley Walker), "a magnificent satirist (Boston Transcript), and "a Joyce in false-face" (New York Times). The New York Herald Tribune submits that he is "as blithe as Benchley...as savage as Swift...surprisingly wise and witty," while the Times of London, out of enthusiasm and a profound regard for truth, proclaims that "Thurber is Thurber."
In Fables for Our Time, Thurber the Moralist is in the ascendancy. Here are a score or more lessons-in-prose dedicated to conventional sinners and proving--what you will. The fables are imperishably illustrated, and are supplemented by Mr. Thurber's own pictorial interpretations of famous poems in a wonderful and joyous assemblage.
The years cannot diminish nor time betray I first read Thurber, Fables for Our Time being my first encounter, about the time I learned to read. Fables sounded suitable for a 7 year old looking for something more than the Bobbsey Twins, so I plunged into a surreal world of misogyny, mayhem, morality and madness, and thoroughly loved it! Upon discovering our family library included some of Thurber's "children's books" (13 Clocks), I began to plumb the depths of one of the great humorists/cartoonists of the 20th century. In more than 50 years, I have not encountered one so readable, enjoyable and wildly, understatedly funny. Perhaps some of the pieces are dated, for who these days can even recognize such poems as Ben Bolt and Barbara Fretchie (?), or Young Lochinvar? That is a loss in today's education, so I charge Amazon customers: introduce your children to Thurber early, when their minds are not cluttered with pop culture and "required reading". Take the time to give them context for very old stories and poems, so they may enjoy them as we did. Let them look at a world that was, at least in one man's wit, and perhaps they won't be so overwhelmed when they begin to understand the world we have left to them.
Wonderful Book by a Wonderful (but sexist) Author James Thurber has long been one of my favorite writers, but in order to enjoy him you have to look past his sexism. He includes anti-woman sentiments in nearly every book he's ever written... But please don't let this stop you from reading him. If you can get to the point where you just shake your head and think to yourself, "Oh, James, James, James... You misguided man"... Then you can fully enjoy his works. This collection of fables is dated, I have to admit, but they're still highly entertaining and quite funny. Thurber has a way with words that is unique and entertaining. Thurber is one of my favorite authors. His writing takes you back into his era without feeling dusty and passe.
Oh no! I had to read this in English class and it is horrible Don't buy it You are wasting your money
"early to rise and early to bed... ...makes a man healthy, wealthy and dead."
Quoting one of the fables; I remember reading this book thirty years ago. It is superb. The pictures are excellent too. I can still recall the man leaping down into the lion's pit to get the lady's glove, also the pictures of birds (shrikes, I think). I'll buy this one right away, my daughter will love it.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
