Product Description

'Nonsense is the breath of my nostrils', wrote Edward Lear (1812-88), and this collection demonstrates the wonderfully varied ways in which he pursued his philosophy of life. He created an extraordinary world filled with bizarre creatures - from the Dong with a luminous nose to the Pobble who has no toes - who misbehave with joyful abandon. Here can be found such exuberant and timeless verse as 'The Owl and the Pussy-cat, The Quangle Wangle's Hat' and numerous comic limericks, along with stories, letters, alphabets and recipes, all accompanied throughout with his fantastical line drawings. Gently pointing out human follies and the absurdities of the conventional Victorian society in which he lived, Lear's nonsense has enchanted children and adults alike for generations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #209345 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

Synopsis
'Nonsense is the breath of my nostrils', wrote Edward Lear (1812-88), and this collection demonstrates the wonderfully varied ways in which he pursued his philosophy of life. He created an extraordinary world filled with bizarre creatures - from the Dong with a luminous nose to the Pobble who has no toes - who misbehave with joyful abandon. Here can be found such exuberant and timeless verse as 'The Owl and the Pussy-cat, The Quangle Wangle's Hat' and numerous comic limericks, along with stories, letters, alphabets and recipes, all accompanied throughout with his fantastical line drawings. Gently pointing out human follies and the absurdities of the conventional Victorian society in which he lived, Lear's nonsense has enchanted children and adults alike for generations.

About the Author
Edward Lear (1812-88) originally earned his living as a commercial artist. A skilled landscape painter and ornothological illustrator, he was art master to Queen Victoria for a time. His nonsense writing began as a sideline to amuse himself and hisfriend's children but soon made him a household name. Vivien Noakes is the leading authority on Lear; editor of his Selected Letters (1988) and the definitive biography, she also curated the Lear exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1985.

Customer Reviews

Lear at his completest
An excellent and comprehenisive collection of Lear's verse and nonsense. Great fun to read. Illustrated throughout in Lear's own individual style this book has been well edited by Vivien Noakes, with detailed introcuctory material and a clear layout throughout. Why make do with a selection when you can get the complete thing?

This book deserves to be on every bookshelf
This book is the product of a life studying Edward Lear and his works. Vivien Noakes is the undisputed expert in her field and much previously unpublished material is here. She always approaches her subject in a scholarly way, but her style is by no means dry and dusty. Lear is full of fun and Vivien Noakes's joy at Lear's sense of humour shines through on every page. Lears work is set out chronologically and this allows one to see the development of his style. She has also devoted a section to notes on the work and this enhances one's enjoyment of Lear.

Vivien Noakes has edited what must be the most exciting book for Learophiles since Holbrook Jackson's collection in the late 1940s. This will surely become the standard collection of Lear's Verse and Nonsense and Vivien Noakes deserves fulsome praise for her achievement in editing such a wonderful book. Although most people know 'The Owl and The Pussy-Cat', Lear deserves to be far better known than he is for everything else he did.

Unfortunately this book is too big to be stuffed into a Christmas Stocking, but should be given to anyone, adult or child, with a sense of fun. Even a child who cannot read will take delight in Lears quirky illustrations, jolly caricatures of spherical chaps with spindly legs and wonderful pointy shoes, strange creatures such as the Scroobious Pip, and people that resemble birds or beetles. If this book were upon every bookshelf along with Shakespeare the world would be a far happier place.