Showing results by author "Stephen leacock" in All Categories

One of Canada's most cherished writers, British-born Stephen Leacock was probably best known and loved for his works of light humor. First published in 1912, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is one of his most popular and enduring pieces of fiction. This collection of short stories describes the people that comprise a typical but fictional small town in Ontario - Mariposa. The book's appeal lies in the universality of the characters Leacock describes so eloquently, they live out their 'large' lives in the little town.

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.

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)

"Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town" is considered to be the masterpiece of Stephen Leacock. Originally published in 1912, it is a set of tales occurring in the fictional hamlet of Mariposa, on the shores of Lake Wissanotti. Many of the characters in the stories are patterned on locals of Orillia, Ontario. The stories are gems of Canadian small town folklore. Leacock brings the quirks, eccentricities and flaws of these everyday people to life in the most humorous way. Every corner of Mariposa has a story to tell!

Stephen Leacock (30 December 1869 - 28 March 1944) was a Canadian teacher, political scientist, writer, and humourist. Between the years 1915 and 1925, he was the best-known English-speaking humourist in the world