Showing results by author "Christopher Morley" in All Categories

"Parnassus on Wheels" (1917) was Christopher Morley’s first published novel. It tells the story of Roger Mifflin, who sells his travelling book business to 39-year-old Helen McGill. The latter is tired of taking care of her ailing older brother Andrew, a businessman, farmer, and author. The novel is told from the perspective of Mrs McGill and was in part inspired by David Grayson’s novel "The Friendly Road." Morley wrote a sequel to this story called "The Haunted Bookshop.

Parnassus on Wheels is the story of a marvelous man, small in stature, wiry as a cat, yet Olympic in personality. Roger Mifflin is part pixie, part sage, part noble savage, and all God's creature. With his traveling book wagon, named Parnassus, he moves through the New England countryside of 1915 on an itinerant mission of enlightenment. Mifflin's delight in books and authors is infectious. With his singular philosophy and bright eyes, he comes to represent the heart and soul of the book world.

Parnassus on Wheels follows the adventurous journey of a unique traveling book-selling business. When the original owner, Roger Mifflin, decides to sell, he passes the torch to 39-year-old Helen McGill, who is yearning for freedom after years of caring for her ailing brother, Andrew. This charming tale explores themes of self-discovery, the love of literature, and the pursuit of independence.

Thunder on the Left is a story about—but not for—children. It's a public domain mystery by one of the foremost mystery writers of the early twentieth century, Christopher Morley. The title also has nothing to do with politics. It's a story about children who make some declarations at a birthday party about growing old, only to find themselves whisked into the future for all but the last chapter of the book. Here they live the lives of adults, wanting more out of life, struggling with issues unimagined in their childhood.

"The Haunted Bookshop" is a so called "bibliomystery" (a mystery story set in the world of books) from 1919. It is the story of the eccentric owner of the Haunted Bookshop, Roger Mifflin, who some readers might remember from "Parnassus on Wheels". This second-hand, Brooklyn bookstore is "haunted by the ghosts of all great literature." It is set around the time of the end of World War I. A young man, Aubrey Gilbert, stops by the shop, trying to sell Mifflin advertising copy. He fails but is intrigued by the proprietor.

"Kathleen" is a 1920 novel by Christopher Morley. It tells the story of a group of eight Oxford undergrads who call themselves "The Scorpions." One day, they find a letter that a certain Kathleen wrote to Joe, and they build an idea of who she might be in their head, and are so intrigued, that they decide to go looking for her. Christopher Morley (1890-1957) was an American author, poet and journalist from Pennsylvania. His father was a mathematics professor and his mother a violinist.

Set in a lovingly evoked Brooklyn just after the end of World War I, The Haunted Bookshop cleverly juxtaposes a pair of middle-aged bookshop owners and two young lovers with a nest of German saboteurs, complete with mysterious clues, red herrings, blushing romance, derring-do, a desperate race to the rescue, and an explosion. More important, the novel is an eloquent hymn to the bookseller’s trade and a fervent plea for the revivifying and redemptive power of literature.

Dive into Mince Pie, a delightful collection of whimsical sketches, poetry, and essays penned by the witty Christopher Morley. In the preface, Morley humorously muses, If one asks what excuse there can be for prolonging the existence of these trifles, my answer is that there is no excuse. But a copy on the bedside shelf may possibly pave the way to easy slumber. This charming compilation is perfect for those who appreciate lighthearted literature that invites a smile without the need for critical scrutiny.

In a quest fueled by curiosity and competition, a group of eight Oxford undergraduates known as the Scorpions stumble upon a letter from Kathleen to Joe. As they piece together the lives of Kathleen and Joe from the words on the page, they embark on a hilarious journey to track down Kathleen herself. The rivalry among the Scorpions leads to a series of entertaining and funny escapades that keep listeners engaged and laughing. (Summary by Kirk Ziegler)

Written on the eve of Prohibition, this captivating narrative explores the potential chaos that could unfold during this tumultuous time. The story presents a dramatic clash of opinions, showcasing outlandish tactics from both sides of the debate—whether its declaring an array of fruits and vegetables as hazardous or concocting ways to intoxicate the masses with breathable alcohol. (Summary by Daryl Wor)

אם יש ספר אחד שכאילו נכתב במיוחד לשיפור האקלים החברתי-פוליטי והספרותי הנוכחי בישראל, הספר הזה הוא פרנסוס על גלגלים. מדובר בקלאסיקה שנונה משנת 1917 מאת הסופר...

כש"פרנסוס על גלגלים" יצא לאור, קהל הקוראים אהב אותו כל כך עד שכריסטופר מורלי מיד התיישב לכתוב את המשכו. ב-"חנות הספרים הרדופה", רוג'ר והלן מיפלין הגיעו ליעדם בברוקלין...

ספק רב אם מחברי היצירות המקובצות בספר הזה היו נהנים לשבת יחדיו לשיחה. אפשר לשער שאף סביב בקבוק ויסקי, גלוני בירה, ספלי תה וכוסות יין היה פורץ ביניהם ויכוח ספרותי...

Roger Mifflin's bookshop is no ordinary store. Tucked away in Brooklyn, the Haunted Bookshop doesn't sell ghost stories haunted by the spirits of great literature. When young advertising man Aubrey Gilbert steps inside, he expects a simple business transaction. What he finds instead is a world of intrigue, wisdom, and unexpected danger.

In his delightful collection, Plum Pudding, Christopher Morley introduces us to an unassuming yet spirited mutt named “Haphazard Gissing I,” whose talent for mischief brings joy and laughter. This charming canine makes several appearances in The Powder of Sympathy, but it is in Morleys own novel where Gissing truly shines. As the protagonist, he navigates the ups and downs of life, adopts three puppies, embarks on various career adventures, and ultimately seeks the profound question of existence—“where the blue begins.” Morley reflects, “It was strange, ...