Oxford Book of Parodies by John Gross, Paperback, 9780199639373 | Buy online at The Nile
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Oxford Book of Parodies

Author: John Gross  

An unparalleled introduction to the parodist's art, The Oxford Book of Parodies includes parodies from Chaucer to the present day, ranging from imitations and spoofs to lampoons and pastiches, comical, scornful, witty, and subtle. It also takes in advertisements, legal rituals, political warfare and a scientific hoax.

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Summary

An unparalleled introduction to the parodist's art, The Oxford Book of Parodies includes parodies from Chaucer to the present day, ranging from imitations and spoofs to lampoons and pastiches, comical, scornful, witty, and subtle. It also takes in advertisements, legal rituals, political warfare and a scientific hoax.

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Description

Parodies come in all shapes and sizes. There are broad parodies and subtle parodies, ingenious imitations and knockabout spoofs, scornful lampoons and affectionate pastiches. All these varieties, and many others, are represented in this stunning new anthology, which provides an unparalleled introduction to the parodist's art. The classics of the genre are all here, from Lewis Carroll to Max Beerbohm; but so are scores of lesser known but scarcely less giftedfigures, and brilliant contemporaries such as Craig Brown and Wendy Cope.At every stage there are surprises. Chaucer celebrates Miss Joan Hunter Dunn, Proust visits Chelsea, Yeatsre-writes 'Old King Cole', Harry Potter encounters Mick Jagger, a modernized Sermon on the Mount rubs shoulders with an obituary of Sherlock Holmes. The collection provides a hilarious running commentary on literary history, but it also looks beyond literature in the narrow sense to take in such things as advertisements, legal rituals, political warfare, and a scientific hoax.

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Critic Reviews

“"There are endless amusing trifles." --The Week 04/09/2010”

The critic FR Leavis disliked parody on the grounds that it "demeaned" the writer being held up to ridicule. A moment of two in the company of John Gross's sparkling new compendium demonstrates how wrong Leavis was. Gross's book passes the first great anthologist's test - putting in everything the reader expects to find, and a whole lot more besides - with flying colours.'DJ Taylor, The Financial TimesEndlessly enjoyable'Craig Brown, The GuardianSumptuous collection.'The OldieThere are endless amusing trifles.'The WeekMr Gross's legendary gifts as an editor and critic are much in evidence.'Eric Ormsby, Wall Street JournalSubstantial and richly entertaining anthology...Gross provides a brief but admirably informative history of the form.'The Sunday TelegraphJohn Gross is an excellent and unintrusive host...he has produced here a fine, diverting book'Seamus Perry, TLSSparkling new compendium.'DJ Taylor, Financial TimesHis entries have enough comic vigour or elegance to be amusing even when one does not know the author being spoofed, and hilarious when one does.'Kevin Jackson, Sunday TimesJohn Gross's new anthology of parodies in English (with a few foreign titbits) has samples both high and low of this diverse genre.'The EconomistThe best pastiches, burlesques and spoofs have a magical wit that transcends mere mimicry, as this wide-ranging anthology shows.'Kevin Jackson, The Sunday TimesGross has very sensibly put together an anthology that aims to give pleasure on at least two levels.'Kevin Jackson, The Sunday TimesIt is impossible to read it without smiling, smirking or laughing out loud.'Mark Sanderson, Evening StandardSuperb anthology of parodies...This is an anthology with something for everyone.'Simon Griffith, Mail on SundayJohn Gross has compiled a historical anthology that is something to treasure.'John Sutherland, Literary ReviewThis collection of parodies does not disappoint...It's a deliciously funny book.'Bevis Hillier, SpectatorExcellent introduction to this superb smorgasbord of mimicry and literary mutilation.'Jonathan Wright, Catholic HeraldHis new and welcome anthology is well stocked with witty and diverting specimens.'J. M. W. Thompson, Standpoint

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About the Author

John Gross was a freelance author, anthologist, and book reviewer.

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More on this Book

Parodies come in all shapes and sizes. There are broad parodies and subtle parodies, ingenious imitations and knockabout spoofs, scornful lampoons and affectionate pastiches. All these varieties, and many others, are represented in this stunning new anthology, which provides an unparalleled introduction to the parodist's art. The classics of the genre are all here, from Lewis Carroll to Max Beerbohm; but so are scores of lesser known but scarcely less gifted figures, and brilliant contemporaries such as Craig Brown and Wendy Cope.At every stage there are surprises. Chaucer celebrates Miss Joan Hunter Dunn, Proust visits Chelsea, Yeats re-writes 'Old King Cole', Harry Potter encounters Mick Jagger, a modernized Sermon on the Mount rubs shoulders with an obituary of Sherlock Holmes. The collection provides a hilarious running commentary on literary history, but it also looks beyond literature in the narrow sense to take in such things as advertisements, legal rituals, political warfare, and a scientific hoax.

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Product Details

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Published
19th January 2012
Pages
368
ISBN
9780199639373

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