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ninjamuse's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Classism
larryc's review against another edition
4.0
This is the kind of book of essays that is hardly ever written nowadays. In the old edition I found, the author's name was not even listed; I only found it by searching. These are mostly humorous and lighthearted essays on everything from memories to pets to men's and women's clothing.
It provides an entertaining glimpse at some of the ideas and customs of people in 19th century England. One thing I like about this type of book, which reminds me in some ways of The Importance of Living, by Lin Yutang, is the way leisure and a slow pace of life was highly valued (as the title suggests). I doubt if Jerme K. Jerome was truly an "idle fellow" but the point is that ambition and being constantly busy were not the virtues they became in the next couple of centuries.
I don't think this book is meant to be taken very seriously. Jerome shamelessly meanders from one topic to another, so it's more like a stream of consciousness than focused essays. But that doesn't detract from the enjoyment. Modern readers might object to some antiquated ideas about women and different economic classes of people -for example, Jerome seems to think (if he's being serious here) that poor people are incapable of experiencing any type of pleasure. But this type of thing should be seen in a historical light, as it doesn't make sense to judge people by contemporary standards.
I'd recommend this book for casual reading and to gain some insights into another age, one that was both better and worse than our own.
It provides an entertaining glimpse at some of the ideas and customs of people in 19th century England. One thing I like about this type of book, which reminds me in some ways of The Importance of Living, by Lin Yutang, is the way leisure and a slow pace of life was highly valued (as the title suggests). I doubt if Jerme K. Jerome was truly an "idle fellow" but the point is that ambition and being constantly busy were not the virtues they became in the next couple of centuries.
I don't think this book is meant to be taken very seriously. Jerome shamelessly meanders from one topic to another, so it's more like a stream of consciousness than focused essays. But that doesn't detract from the enjoyment. Modern readers might object to some antiquated ideas about women and different economic classes of people -for example, Jerome seems to think (if he's being serious here) that poor people are incapable of experiencing any type of pleasure. But this type of thing should be seen in a historical light, as it doesn't make sense to judge people by contemporary standards.
I'd recommend this book for casual reading and to gain some insights into another age, one that was both better and worse than our own.
bhan13's review against another edition
4.0
I don't agree with everything he writes but this is a very entertaining book and he is very accurate about some aspects of human nature that are not much discussed.
nataliejohansen's review against another edition
5.0
Completely delightful. He is sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek, and altogether hilarious.
matchesmalone's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5