The Diary of a Nobody edition by George Grossmith Literature Fiction eBooks
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The Diary of a Nobody is an English novel written by George Grossmith. It originated as an intermittent serial in Punch magazine in 1888–89 and first appeared in book form, with extended text and added illustrations, in 1892. The Diary records the daily events in the lives of a London clerk, Charles Pooter, his wife Carrie, his son Lupin, and numerous friends and acquaintances over a period of 15 months. Before their collaboration on the Diary, the brothers each pursued successful careers on the stage. George originated nine of the principal comedian roles in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas over 12 years from 1877 to 1889. He also established a national reputation as a piano sketch entertainer and wrote a large number of songs and comic pieces. Before embarking on his stage career, Weedon had worked as an artist and illustrator. The Diary was the brothers' only mature collaboration. Most of its humour derives from Charles Pooter's unconscious and unwarranted sense of his own importance, and the frequency with which this delusion is punctured by gaffes and minor social humiliations. In an era of rising expectations within the lower-middle classes, the daily routines and modest ambitions described in the Diary were instantly recognised by its contemporary readers, and provided later generations with a glimpse of the past that it became fashionable to imitate. Although its initial public reception was muted, the Diary came to be recognised by critics as a classic work of humour, and it has never been out of print. It helped to establish a genre of humorous popular fiction based on lower or lower-middle class aspirations, and was the forerunner of numerous fictitious diary novels in the later 20th century. The Diary has been the subject of several stage and screen adaptations, including Ken Russell's "silent film" treatment of 1964, a four-part TV film scripted by Andrew Davies in 2007, and a widely praised stage version in 2011.
The Diary of a Nobody edition by George Grossmith Literature Fiction eBooks
Mr. Charles Pooter, a middle-class, middle-aged suburban Londoner in the late Victorian Era, decides to keep a diary. After all, it seems like everyone is publishing their diaries, so why shouldn't he? His only regret is that he had not begun the diary sooner. When part of the way through this hilarious story related through his daily entries it seems that someone ripped out several pages to use for fire kindling, he says to his loyal wife and impudent son that he had hoped the diary would be a fond remembrance of him after he died and possibly that having it published could bring them some remuneration. His loved ones cannot suppress their laughter.The biggest joke is that in fact, this diary of a dedicated clerk in an old-fashioned accounting firm, who has done little else in his life and is quite comfortable with the status quo, is eternally priceless on for its comedy and what it reveals about the Victorian middle-class life and preoccupations that it satirizes. If Mr. Pooter and his friends represent a culture that has grown complacent and overly interested in its own hobby horses and etiquette, his adult son Lupin is the brash younger generation that seeks entertainment and gratification without apology, shaking off musty traditions. The Grossmith brothers--George largely wrote this and Weedon illustrated it as a magazine serial--had no idea that they were creating a historical document as much as a giddy entertainment.
The comedy is absolutely winning. The Grossmiths don't sell Mr. Pooter down the river entirely--they allow him competence at work, some self awareness and wounded dignity--but every diary entry usually sets up his hopes and schemes only to be reported as dashed in the next. Long before Rodney Dangerfield complained that he didn't get respect, Mr. Pooter had every right to cry that out as younger clerks, the neighbors, his son, his son's friends and the servants feel free to regularly contradict and insult him. There is plenty of physical comedy and fashion gone bad. And there is that voice of Mr. Pooter, at once plaintive, hopeful, clueless, sweet but not stupid, who always picks himself up after a fall.
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The Diary of a Nobody edition by George Grossmith Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews
Dry humour. Mr Pooter narrates his daily life and its troubles with a beautiful deadpan delivery. A wonderful insight into the Victorian Middle Class and an absolute must if you have enjoyed other Victorian classics like Three Men in a Boat
If you want to spring back into the day-to-day mediocrity of middle-class England in the late 1800s, this is the book. It was easy reading after a day's work and made me laugh. It was interesting to see that even back then the young, up-and-coming generation thought much differently than their parents.
I've read this and also listened to the audio. A good old fashioned classic that isn't very long, but still enjoyable with subtle humor throughout. It reminded me a bit of the Augustus Carp book, only not quite as funny.
I first came across this little book at the British Embassy Library in Jakarta, Indonesia. A hardback commemorative edition was featured one month and upon checking it out I fell in love with it. There is something so brave and human about Mr. Pooter and his lifemate Carrie. His love of wife and home, his strivings to conform to the latest "art and Crafts" trends and his little bumps along the way are so endearing. One of the most humorous themes in the book is the flummoxing nature of Mr. Pooter's non-conformist son who inexplicably decides to rename himself Lupin. Written as a parody to mock the striving lower middle class, there is nontheless, a completely recognizable humanity in the estimable and honorable Mr. Pooter which elevates him worthy of at least a "fanfare for the Common Man."
None of your respondents seem to be aware of Grossmith's first claim to fame "Grossmith is best remembered for two aspects of his career. First, he created a series of nine memorable characters in the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan from 1877 to 1889, including Sir Joseph Porter, in H.M.S. Pinafore (1878), the Major-General in The Pirates of Penzance (1880) and Ko-Ko in The Mikado (1885–87)."
In my youth there was a BBC Radio program called ITMA - It's That Man Again. I kept running across a certain Charles Pooter and references to his diaries in much of my reading. Eventually I realized, from the comments that indicated sheer pleasure, that this was a book I should own and read, even if it was just fiction. I very quickly read and enjoyed this little book that I shelved it, for a later reread, and forgot to review it. Why is that important - just another reader's review after all - because people who enjoy reading, and have a sense of wit, need to know of it ... do read it!
"I fail to see" said Mr. Pooter to himself one day," - because I do not happen to be a 'Somebody'-why my diary should not be interesting and published." So publish he does, or rather two brothers, George and Weedon Grossmith created and publish a series of humorous articles for the magazine Punch that were eventually published in 1892 as the book Diary of a Nobody.
Mr. Pooter soon proves to us that he certainly is not a "Somebody" but the little details of his so little life are surprisingly engaging and eventually, as you close and shelve the book, you find that you can feel at least a "warm regard" for this character. Of course, few of us will be able to hold him in the highly pretentious regard he holds himself, or enjoy his "puns" and little jokes quite as much as he does!
But most readers will find they have a chuckling sympathy for Mr. Pooter's struggle for a decent life.
Mr. Charles Pooter, a middle-class, middle-aged suburban Londoner in the late Victorian Era, decides to keep a diary. After all, it seems like everyone is publishing their diaries, so why shouldn't he? His only regret is that he had not begun the diary sooner. When part of the way through this hilarious story related through his daily entries it seems that someone ripped out several pages to use for fire kindling, he says to his loyal wife and impudent son that he had hoped the diary would be a fond remembrance of him after he died and possibly that having it published could bring them some remuneration. His loved ones cannot suppress their laughter.
The biggest joke is that in fact, this diary of a dedicated clerk in an old-fashioned accounting firm, who has done little else in his life and is quite comfortable with the status quo, is eternally priceless on for its comedy and what it reveals about the Victorian middle-class life and preoccupations that it satirizes. If Mr. Pooter and his friends represent a culture that has grown complacent and overly interested in its own hobby horses and etiquette, his adult son Lupin is the brash younger generation that seeks entertainment and gratification without apology, shaking off musty traditions. The Grossmith brothers--George largely wrote this and Weedon illustrated it as a magazine serial--had no idea that they were creating a historical document as much as a giddy entertainment.
The comedy is absolutely winning. The Grossmiths don't sell Mr. Pooter down the river entirely--they allow him competence at work, some self awareness and wounded dignity--but every diary entry usually sets up his hopes and schemes only to be reported as dashed in the next. Long before Rodney Dangerfield complained that he didn't get respect, Mr. Pooter had every right to cry that out as younger clerks, the neighbors, his son, his son's friends and the servants feel free to regularly contradict and insult him. There is plenty of physical comedy and fashion gone bad. And there is that voice of Mr. Pooter, at once plaintive, hopeful, clueless, sweet but not stupid, who always picks himself up after a fall.
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