Funniest Book Review Ever
Since OB was talking about books below, I thought I’d just quickly flag-up the funniest book review I’ve ever come across.
I vow that if I ever get a review like this, I’ll frame it and stick it by my bedside table. Along with the letter from the guy from Australia who wrote to tell me that one of my books was “A disgrace to publishing”!*
*I should say I haven’t actually framed the letter because I lost it, but otherwise I would have done…
Of course you ‘should say’ you lost the letter only because you know you just got through telling me you did, so if you didn’t say so you know I would immediately post a comment impugning your veracity. Otherwise, of course, you would just let everyone think you still have the letter.
That is a hilarious review. It’s funny – last time I saw Christopher Hitchens on a book tour (for the Kissinger book, three years ago), we agreed on the merit and wit of Hensher. Hensher’s is a Hitchensish, Amisish, take no prisoners kind of wit.
Of course, since you remember the letter, you could just write it yourself, and sign it ‘that guy from Australia’, and frame it. Or you could tell me what it said and I could write it (adding a little extra abuse for good measure), if it would be more convincing coming from someone else. Or I could write a brand-new one, incorporating the phrase ‘a disgrace to publishing’ but inventing the rest from scratch, going on at great length about your character flaws, feeble jokes, chronic mendacity, etc, and sign it ‘some guy from New Zealand’ and send that. I’d be happy to. You’ve only to say the word.
Bravo!
My uncle, a theatre critic, once wrote a piece which began (from memory):
“In case there is any expression in the following review which could be taken out of context as being favourable, I wish to make it clear at the outset that this is unintentional.”