Showing results by author "Stephen Leacock" in All Categories

Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) may be considered the Canadian counterpart to Mark Twain. For many years he was professor of economics at Magill University and published a number of well-regarded texts on economics and political science. However, he is best known today for his many volumes of humorous fiction. During the 1920s he was one of the most widely read authors in the English-speaking world and was considered by Jack Benny and Groucho Marx to be one of the greatest comic writers of all time.

Regarded as a gem of Canadian humorous literature, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town brings to life the charming tales of the fictional town of Mariposa. Author Stephen Leacock drew inspiration from his own experiences at his summer retreat in Orillia, Ontario, crafting stories that celebrate the quirks and characters of small-town life. (Summary by Dick Bourgeois-Doyle)

Immerse yourself in the delightful world of Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, a charming collection of stories by Stephen Leacock, originally published in 1912. Celebrated as a classic of Canadian humorous literature, these tales unfold in the fictional town of Mariposa, nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Wissanotti. While inspired by Leacocks own experiences in Orillia, Ontario, he cheekily notes in the introduction that Mariposa is not a real town—rather, it embodies countless small towns across Canada, with their familiar square streets, maple trees, and quaint churches and ...

Dive into the world of laughter with Soaked In Seaweed and 7 Other Nonsense Novels, a delightful collection of parodies by the renowned Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock. Each story is a witty spoof on various genres, including titles like Soaked in Seaweed or, Upset in the Ocean, Maddened by Mystery or, The Defective Detective, and Q A Psychic Pstory of the Psupernatural. From romantic tales like Guido the Gimlet of Ghent A Romance of Chivalry to thought-provoking allegories such as The Man in Asbestos an Allegory of the Future, this collection offers a humorous twist on fiction. Perfect for ...

Dive into a delightfully whimsical world with Nonsense Novels, featuring ten hilarious tales by the renowned Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock. These stories, masterfully narrated by Tricia G, are sure to tickle your funny bone and spark your imagination.

Dive into a delightful collection of eight whimsical tales by Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock, brought to life by narrator Tricia G. Each story is a charming exploration of the absurd and the amusing, guaranteed to tickle your funny bone!

Dive into the whimsical world of 1915 through the eyes of Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock. With his sharp wit and a touch of irony, Leacock offers a delightful mix of humorous and cynical reflections on life, guaranteed to entertain and provoke thought. (Summary by TriciaG)

Born in England in 1869, Stephen Leacock would immigrate to Canada and become a teacher, political scientist, and writer. He would ultimately come to be best known and loved as a humourist. Literary Lapses was first published as a collection of sketches in 1910, although many of the individual stories were first printed in various newspapers and periodicals, such as Punch, New York Life, and the Detroit Free Press.

Dive into the whimsical world of 1910 with Literary Lapses, a collection of delightful sketches that explore the humorous side of life. Renowned humorist Professor Leacock has brought laughter to countless readers through his clever prose. A. P. Herbert once declared him the greatest jesters, the greatest humorist of the age. Join us as we celebrate the wit and charm of Leacocks work, brought to life by TriciaG and Wikipedia.

Step into the whimsical world of Garden Of Folly, a captivating 1924 collection of essays from the renowned Canadian humorist who captured the hearts of readers across the English-speaking world in the early twentieth century. Join us as we explore the wit and charm of this beloved author, brought to life through the engaging narration of David Wales.

Join Leacock on a whirlwind journey from cavemen to Santa Claus, as he humorously explores a diverse cast of characters including spies, know-it-alls, and journalists. With a keen eye on the evolution of city life, education, and work habits, Leacock delves into topics such as nature, fishing, gardening, success, and the spirits—both ghostly and those that Prohibition tried to ban. Each chapter serves as a delightful standalone story, perfect for anyone who loves a hearty laugh. Leacock’s wit evokes everything from gentle smiles to uproarious guffaws, interspersed with moments that might ...

Dive into the whimsical world of humor with this pamphlet from the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library at the University of Toronto. Featuring selections from Further Foolishness and Frenzied Fiction, this collection showcases some of Leacocks most delightful and amusing excerpts, including the hilarious The Snoopopaths, or Fifty Stories in One and Foreign Fiction in Imported Instalments Serge the Superman. A Russian Novel. - Summary by Winnifred Assmann

Dive into a delightful collection that features a witty parody of Problem Plays, alongside amusing anecdotes from the beloved Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock. Join us for a journey filled with laughter and clever insights, expertly narrated by TriciaG and brought to life by a talented cast.

Dive into the witty and whimsical world of Stephen Leacock, one of Canadas most celebrated authors. In Arcadian Adventures with the Idle Rich, Leacock presents a sharp and satirical take on urban life, contrasting with the lighter tone of his earlier work, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town. With a keen eye for human quirks and absurdities, he elevates the follies of society to hilarious heights. Join narrator Winnifred Assmann as she brings this captivating collection of humorous fiction to life.

Step into the whimsical and wonderfully absurd world of Stephen Leacock, Canada’s beloved humorist. This carefully curated collection brings together 12 of his most delightful short stories from Frenzied Fiction (1918), Literary Lapses (1910), Nonsense Novels (1911), and Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy (1915). Whether skewering the pretentiousness of academia, playfully mocking social conventions, or embracing the sheer joy of nonsense, Leacock’s tales remain as fresh and comical today as when they first captivated listeners over a century ago.

In celebration of the Tercentenary of the Authorized Version of the English Bible from 1611, this concise yet captivating book invites readers on a remarkable journey through time. Beginning in 670 A.D. at the Monastery of Whitby, where the monk Caedmon transformed Scripture into beautiful Saxon verse, it traces the evolution of the Bible across twelve centuries, culminating in the pivotal meeting of English scholars at Westminster Abbey in 1870. This gathering ultimately led to the Revision of the Scriptures, which made its debut in 1881. (From the Preface)

The First World War has left the world in agony. Disillusionment, hopelessness, and horror are rife when a despondent author gets a visit by Father Time and Father Christmas, who come to raise his spirits. He wishes for better days, but the war has taken everything, turning him into a hopeless and angry nihilist. Nevertheless, the Christmas spirit is here to bring hope and another chance at happiness.

This a typical Christmas story but with a classic Leacock ironic twist and a zest of humour. "The Errors of Santa Claus" is a charming tale of gift-giving and kindness. It is Christmas time and parents are getting their children’s gifts ready.

Stephen Leacock (1869 - 1944) is considered by many to be the Canadian counterpart to the better known American humorists Mark Twain and S.J. Perelman. In the early 20th century he was one of the most widely read authors in the English speaking world. Jack Benny and Groucho Marx considered Leacock as one of the funniest writers they had ever read. The following sketches have been adapted from pieces in the miscellanies Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy and Further Foolishness, in which Leacock satirizes many of the social institutions of his time.

'Number Fifty-Six' is a humorous tale of a Chinese laundryman who gets to know his clients through their laundry habits. He is able to infer much from the state of the various shirts, handkerchiefs, waistcoats which are delivered to him for washing. Of all his clients he is most fascinated by number 56...a man with strangely fluctuating shirt habits. And then one fateful day, a dreadful set of laundry is delivered to him....