"Who would without a thurber be/ Should never, never speak to we..." (Ibid., old song). This is strictly a luxury item for eager lex'lconeers in language whether they are curious about the author's "alphabetical sedation" (never, ever, start to begin on this, medication), or his rogering in on Roget, or his visual vocabularizing; or are fascinated by his preoccupations about abbreviationists or verbal smoke screens; or the madness that befalls him via Sengalese love birds or Stamese cats; or his dim view of statistics; or his feeling about Henry James and his revival in theater (or worse mediums); or his attitude toward nurses.....or any aspect of the life that is filtered — and exposed —- through his alert ears (lack of sight makes for more sensitive hearing). Even if not concerned with the precarious state of the English language, readers (to be flogged into reading) should be exposed to this "circumambient mental air" (it is invigorating — breath-taking too) if only to begin to understand palindromes, watch an expert juggle words, learn about the "marvelous sixteenth letter of the alphabet" (and others in the 26 that will astound), jargon that jars and communication that confounds and radio that riles — and all the "if on" added together mean it's thurbertime again- and with 50 drawings!
Pub Date: April 12, 1961
ISBN: 0060142804
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1961
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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