Literary Lapses - Softcover

Leacock, Stephen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9370427414 ISBN 13: 9789370427419

Publisher: Double 9 Books, 2025

Synopsis

Literary Lapses is a collection of humorous essays and stories that showcase sharp wit and keen observations of human nature. The book offers a satirical take on various aspects of life, education, and societal norms, making it a delightful read for those who enjoy clever humor. The opening sections present comical sketches, such as "My Financial Career," where the protagonist hilariously navigates the process of opening a bank account, and "Lord Oxhead's Secret," a farcical tale of an aristocratic English lord trying to keep family secrets while adhering to traditional values, especially concerning his daughter's marriage. These pieces set the stage for a broader exploration of social dynamics, portraying absurdities in everyday situations with a humorous lens. The collection blends comedy with insightful social commentary, highlighting the contradictions and quirks in human behavior, particularly around financial institutions, social status, and relationships. Leacock's ability to provide both humor and thoughtful reflection makes the work an engaging exploration of life's more absurd elements, with each story offering a lighthearted critique of societal conventions.

About this title

About the Author

Stephen Leacock was a Canadian educator, political scientist, author, and comedian. Between 1915 and 1925, he was the most well-known English-speaking comic in the world. He is well-known for his light humour and condemnation of other people's folly. Stephen Leacock was born on December 30, 1869, in Swanmore, a village near Southampton, southern England. He was the third of eleven children born to (Walter) Peter Leacock, who was born and raised at Oak Hill on the Isle of Wight, an estate purchased by his grandfather after returning from Madeira, where his family had made a fortune from plantations and Leacock's Madeira wine, founded in 1760. Agnes, Stephen's mother, was born in Soberton, the youngest daughter of the Rev. Stephen Butler and his second wife (Caroline Linton Palmer) of Bury Lodge, the Butler estate that overlooked the village of Hambledon in Hampshire. Leacock was named after Stephen Butler, the maternal grandchild of Admiral James Richard Dacres and brother of Sir Thomas Dacres Butler, Usher of the Black Rod.

Edition details

• Publisher: Double 9 Books
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9370427414
• ISBN 13: 9789370427419
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 124