James Thurber: Writings & Drawings (LOA #90) (Library of America)

What an amazingly irreverent sense of humor Mr. Thurber exhibits. From familial mishaps to stories exposing American society's quirks, this compilation repeatedly brings a knowing smile or an agreeing smirk as reaction to his remarkable prose and casual, tongue-in-cheek story telling. His simple drawings evoke a comfortable humor and an often "sideways" look into our relationships with our pets, our neighbors and our social interactions. I'm also charmingly amused at the prevalence and apparent integral, social importance that alcohol played in his life and the lives of his characters. This tome was thoroughly enjoyed at home, in front of a roaring fire, with a cocktail (or two) on chilly autumn evenings. I thoroughly recommend entering the sometimes cock-eyed, but always entertaining world of Mr. James Thurber!

I've always loved James Thurber's take on the world. I first read his books in high school and they made funny sense of life's chaos. Not that he tries to say that things can be normal if I just work hard enough or accept things as they are. Quite the opposite. He calls out absurdities, some occurring in nature but most in nonhelpful bureaucracies, rigid relatives and coworkers, and plan-out crazy people. In fact, crazy people are the well-adjusted ones in his world. This book is a well- edited selection of Thurber's many works. I was so delighted to find the story with my favorite Thurber image - the relative convinced that overhead lights that lacked light bulbs were leaking dangerous airborne electricity and it was ruining her health. I lucked out and that was in the first story I read. My balm to life's chaos is back in my life.

This Thurber collection is delightful! It has old favorites of mine and stories I'd never read before. Many of these are social satires, and I was amazed at how one of them in particular could have been written in recent years and still be completely topical and hilarious. I guess the windbags of modern times are pretty much the same as the windbags of Thurber's era. Wonderful book.

I just opened the package that came from The Library of America. I am so very impressed. I am reviewing the book, the physical book; if you are new to James Thurber there are plenty of other reviews and I believe you are in for a treat. The book: it is completely immaculate in condition- it came shrink wrapped and I suspect it was so as soon as it came off the press. It also came in a very sturdy paper envelope that would have protected it from all but a bullet. The book is very classic in design, the fabric cover of the hardbound book, the book marker sewn into the binding, the typeface and paper, it’s all just perfect and delivered without a flaw or mar of any kind. Library of America, you made a fan today, and I will look for you in the future. Thank you!

A James Thurber compilation that was edited by Garrison Keillor. Seriously, can you imagine anything more perfect? This book replaced another Thurber publication I owned that was falling apart from frequent use. I also purchased another copy for one of my sons, who was raised on Thurber and Keillor classics. For new Thurber readers, this is the book to buy. For established Thurber fans - you need to add this Thurber/Keillor pairing to your library. "Here, in over 1000 pages, editor Garrison Keillor presents the best and most extensive collection ever assembled" Also included are 500 classic Thurber drawings. I was absolutely thrilled to find this publication. A well-made, beautiful collection of James Thurber's work.

I love Thurber's prose style, the communicative simplicity of his drawings, and his dry, humane sense of humor. Had there been no James Thurber, there would be no Garrison Keillor. (I probably place Thurber as the link between Twain and Keillor in the chain of American storytellers.) Four stars rather than five for the maudlin tone that creeps in to some of the less humorous stories (although he is wonderfully capable of writing affectionately and sentimentally while still being funny), and Thurber more often than necessary falls into the traps of White Straight Mid-Century American Maleness. He is often uncomfortably patronizing towards women, and reliably offensive about black and gay people. Nonetheless, he can make me laugh and cry and sigh with wonder over his masterful use of American English. A must read/must own, with all the above caveats.

LOTS of Thurber's stories/essays. Price was unbeatable. And it was delivered a week earlier than promised. Did I mention that Thurber was a genius?

What a relief it is to read Walter Mitty and find that it's still the story Thurber wrote. It hasen't been changed like the recent movie which stands alone as the worst adaptation ever imagend, If there is a God in the sky, whoever wrote this wonderful Thurber story for the screen richly deserves poor Sodom & Gemora's punishment compounded over and over---not one teaspoon of brimstone should be held back. And for the rest of eternity he should be condemned to watch this awful movie over and over and over...until the end of time.

Entrega rápida y en excelentes condiciones.

I am irredeemably prejudiced for when I was a little boy my mother left copies of the New Yorker around and I was hooked early on Robert Benchley, Dorothy Parker, Alex Woolcott plus the greatest humourist since Mark Twain, James Thurber, who happens also to be my favourite all-time cartoonist. I only accept an invitation to review if I consider it 5 star which means very high on the list for that desert island. James Thurber has become an automatic qualifier and this book will tell you why.

Good to have a collection in one volume. I have most of what is here, but in several volumes, decades old and pretty beaten-up

So far could hardly be worse

Well made and very easy on one’s hands!