Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, John Gay, John Arbuthnot, Thomas Parnell, and Henry St. John
1741
Don't get the wrong impression from how long it took me to put up this post. This book took like three weeks to get here but I was able to read it in one sitting. But I have been reading ahead so more posts are going to be up shortly!
This book was written by the Scriblerus club (I wonder if they had jackets). Is that not the most pretentious name of a club that you have ever heard in your life? The story follows Martinus Scriblerus and includes a story about him being in love with himself and his failed marriage. Each member wrote a different chapter. The foreword of my edition showed how cocky there were. They called themselves "the greatest wits of their age." Gees, guys show some humility...
If you have read my previous reviews, you know how I feel about Swift. I expected to really hate this book. However, I only ended up sort of hating it. It is extremely pretentious. The kind of book that rich, snobby people would describe as drole. I didn't think it was funny at all. I mean, I don't have a scathological sense of humor by any means but it was still way too uppity for me. However, it was understandable and short so it didn't bother me too much because I didn't waste much time with it. I would skip it. You wouldn't miss much.
RATING: **---
Interesting Facts:
This was an incomplete satirical novel. They said in the ending that they would continue with more volumes but apparently they all died before they got the chance.
Martinus Scriblerus was a pseudonym of Pope's.
No video. Surprisingly enough, this hasn't been made into a movie!
1 comment:
I suppose it is supposed to be funny, but we are just three and a half century too late to appreciate it.
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