I’ve been a fan of James Geary’s books over the years. You can read my review of Geary’s The World In a Phrase here. James Geary’s latest book, Wit’s End (2019) explores the origins of wit and how it works. Trying to unravel comedy challenges the best writers, but Geary handles his subject with a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of humor. I liked Geary’s analysis of puns where he provides many funny examples. After that, Geary presents story after humorous story to illustrate how jokes work featuring Harpo Marx and Buster Keaton and other masters of fun.
This slim book holds a lot of witty wisdom. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
OFT WAS THOUGHT: An Essay in Sixty-Four Lines 1
ONE BAD APPLE, Or, An Apology for Paranomasia 5
THIRTY-FIVE DAYS IN MAY 17
WATCHERS AT THE GATES OF MIND: Wit and Its Relation to Witzelsucht, Malapropisms, and Bipolar Disorder 35
PERFECT WITTY EXPRESSIONS AND HOW TO MAKE THEM 52
ADVANCED BANTER 62
AN ODE TO WIT 76
TURNING WORDS 79
MY NAME IS WIT 91
SLAPSTICK METAPHYSICS 105
THE CHAINS OF HABIT 113
FINDING MINDS 125
AMBIGUOUS FIGURES 136
WISDOM OF THE SAGES 150
TRUE WIT 163
WIT’S END 166
Wit Thanks 177
Notes and Bibliography 181
Illustration Credits 213
Index 215
When we were living in England, I could not get over the high level of wit that seemed to be everywhere. It was truly valued. I don’t think it is as much in the US. Humor is more likely to be offensive and crude. Boy, do I sound like an old lady!
Patti, I had the same experience when I was in England, France, Belgium, and Italy. High level of humor everywhere!
True, though. I’ve always enjoyed wit on an Oscar Wilde level.
Jeff, one of my favorite plays is THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. I never tire of Wilde’s wit!
Mine too. We have seen it several times. Once in London with Patricia Routledge (Hyacinth in Keeping Up Appearances, who was OK). In 2011, the Roundabout did the British production with Brian Bedford both directing and playing Lady Bracknell. That was fun.
Jeff, I’ve seen THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at least a dozen times. It never gets old.
This probably isn’t for me, I want humor, not to know about it. I hope PG Wodehouse was mentioned (how could he be omitted??)
I haven’t picked up a wodehouse book yet, but found some new ones at our library, and have them to listen to on audio.
I’m enjoying the Andrew Cotter videos on You tube and Daily Mail/Guardian THANKS JEFF MEYERSON He does ones with his 2 dogs having contests and he’s also done one about penguin races in Australia. He’s a sports commentator for the BBC. He has a book coming out Olive, Mabel and Me from a small Scottish press. I’ve ordered a signed first.
When I get down, I watch a couple of Cotter videos, or John Krasinski ‘s lip sync battle where he does proud mary by Tina Turner
Maggie, I’m enjoying Sarah Cooper’s lip-syncing of Trump. Diane and I are trying to concentrate on funny TV shows and humorous movies at this time when the Coronavirus is ravaging the South and West.
Maggie, thanks a lot!
As a big fan of Tina Turner (saw her life once in Frankfurt – private dancer time …) I had to watch this – it’s really fantastic!
Have you heard about Borat (Sascha Baron Cohen) and his latest stunt?
He’s so great!
I still remember my sister’s daughter bringing a VJS cassette (yes, it was a long time ago …) which contained his interviews with some English lords, really classy!
Sara Cooper also is great!
Wolf, I’ll have to check out Borat’s latest escapade. I’m a big fan of Sara Cooper’s work.