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Collecting Himself: James Thurber on Writing and Writers, Humor and Himself Kindle Edition

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 23 ratings

 “Thurber is. . . a landmark in American humor. . . he is the funniest artist who ever lived.” — New Republic

James Thurber spent most of his career at the New Yorker magazine, drawing cartoons and writing essays and stories. Collecting Himself is a one-of-a-kind compilation of James Thurber's vintage writings, featuring previously unanthologized articles, essays, interviews, reviews, cartoons, parodies, as well as Thurber's reflections on his work in theater and at the New Yorker. An eclectic body of work that offers a glimpse into Thurber the man, the philosopher, and the critic.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In gathering material for this collection of the late humorist's works, Rosen, literary director of Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, had the cooperation of Rosemary Thurber, her father's executor. The book is a heady mix: laser-sharp critcism of shoddy, pretentious plays and novels balanced by insightful praise of worthy ones; comments, more in anger than in sorrow, on New Yorker founder Harold Ross and others whom Thurber considered to be over-zealous editors; essays on humor, etc. The anthology includes an abundance of reprinted material but also pieces not previously published--every entry a reminder of Thurber's (1894-1961) sublime wit. And given the dearth of political humor today, it's a special treat to read "How to Tell Government from Show Business" among the rareties here. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Thurber was one of America's most important humorists. With this collection, editor Rosen brings together an eclectic body of Thurber's writings and drawings not previously anthologized. What is revealed is a glimpse of Thurber the man, the philosopher, and the critic. A number of the pieces are excerpts from Thurber's many interviews and commentaries, spanning some 30 years. In these he shares with the reader his coping with progressive blindness, his method of drawing, his writing tactics, and his personal relationships. His critical views on theatre, other writers, and the state of humor itself are also divulged. This volume will be a welcome addition to collections of standard Thurber fare and is essential for scholars.
- Joe Accardi, Univ. of Wisconsin Lib., LaCrosse
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0049B22R0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins e-books; 1st edition (May 31, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 31, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9317 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 335 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 23 ratings

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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book's intellectual content interesting and enjoyable. They appreciate the author's writing style and wit. The book provides valuable insight into Thurber's work and is worthwhile for fans.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

4 customers mention "Intellectual content"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's intellectual content engaging. They appreciate the collection of essays and reviews about literature and theater. The friendly essay about Groucho Marx is worth reading and provides a better insight into his work than biographies.

"These writings by Thurber himself will give you a better insight into his work than biographies about him and reading his superb essays," Read more

"...that are very good in this book are some serious and semiserious essays about literature and the theater...." Read more

"...As an exploration of his non-humorous work, this has intellectual appeal and places him in a much earlier time, but unless his contemporaries are..." Read more

"...This book is what it was billed as, a collection of essays and reviews and such. Maybe I was really in the mood for something else." Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it worthwhile and interesting, though some mention there are too many references to other writers.

"I am enjoying this book very much. It's written in a way you can read it in snatches. Enjoyable" Read more

"I've read quite a bit of Thurber, but this book I missed. It's a pleasure! Glad I bought it, please put more Thurber on the Kindle." Read more

"...There is a very friendly essay about Groucho Marx which is worth reading...." Read more

"...This book is interesting, but there are so many references to writers and other people who have vanished into history that it wasn't the best read..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it witty and easy to read in short sections.

"I am enjoying this book very much. It's written in a way you can read it in snatches. Enjoyable" Read more

"James Thurber was a gifted writer and artist. I sought out his thoughts on writing and was delighted to discover this collection by Mr. Thurber...." Read more

"...Thurber presents a crystalline view of thurber's aesthetic and writing style...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2013
    These writings by Thurber himself will give you a better insight into his work than biographies about him and reading his superb essays,
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2014
    I am enjoying this book very much. It's written in a way you can read it in snatches. Enjoyable
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2013
    I've read quite a bit of Thurber, but this book I missed. It's a pleasure! Glad I bought it, please put more Thurber on the Kindle.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2018
    James Thurber was a gifted writer and artist. I sought out his thoughts on writing and was delighted to discover this collection by Mr. Thurber. His work is succinct, clear, creative and masterful.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2013
    For the general reader the posthumous publication of favorite writers incomplete work may leave you wistfully wishing the author could've lived just a little longer. The incomplete 21st Aubrey Maturin novel by Patrick O'Brian and the collected pieces published under the name: The Salmon of Doubt by Douglas Adams are two examples. Collecting Himself: James Thurber on Writing and Writers, Humor and Himself; edited by Michael J Rosen is not one of those books. If you are new to James Thurber please skip this book. If you are looking for a typical whimsical collection of the usually gentle James Thurber this is not it. If you are a James Thurber scholar and determined to have everything he ever wrote there are many fine examples of James Thurber as a serious as well as a satirical author in this collection. My sense is that the editor/author Michael Rosen in choosing to call this book Collecting Himself brought together pieces James Thurber would never have placed in one cover and a few pieces he never intended for publication.

    Among the things that are very good in this book are some serious and semiserious essays about literature and the theater. There is a very friendly essay about Groucho Marx which is worth reading. There is a reply he wrote to a John Steinbeck editor who objected to Thurber sharp criticism. Thurber stands his ground and reinforces the depth of his outrage with a beautiful concluding remark. His earlier review was described as a slap in the face to John Steinbeck. Thurber "apologizes" for the slap in the face with the comment:" I did not know my hand was open".

    All the pieces do not read as well. There is a brilliant satire of Henry James which goes on too long. There is rewrite of the night before Christmas in the style of earnest Hemingway that is very clever but again goes on to long. I count myself a fan of James Thurber cartoons but I did not find any included in this volume funny. And so it goes. There are some individual selections that are insightful some that are funny and others that may have served some point at the time they were published but I regarded them as a waste.

    Learning that James Thurber could write thoughtful and even the learned essays came as a pleasant surprise. Some of the lighter pieces did bring a smile to my face. Overall my recommendation is that there are other books by James Thurber that better represent what he wished to be collected and published in a single cover.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2013
    Since I like Thurber, I was interested in reading his other pieces we're not familiar with. As an exploration of his non-humorous work, this has intellectual appeal and places him in a much earlier time, but unless his contemporaries are already known, one is likely to spend quite a bit of googling to learn who they are.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2013
    This collection of essays and cartoons of james Thurber presents a crystalline view of thurber's aesthetic and writing style. Michael Rosen is a judicious and sensitive editor who did not get in
    The way of the true star of this piece:
    Thurber's wit and prose .
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2013
    I have loved James Thurber (despite some racism in his stories, reflective of the time they were written) since I was a kid. This book is interesting, but there are so many references to writers and other people who have vanished into history that it wasn't the best read for me. Thurber does display his usual wit and wisdom. If you are already a Thurber fan, it is worthwhile, but it isn't a good introduction to his writing unless you are very familiar with writers and writing from the 20s and 30s. Other than F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein, I didn't recognize the writers he was wrote about.Some good insights to his own process.
    6 people found this helpful
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