20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or David Copperfield

by Robert Benchley

This was a pleasant collection of a variety of essays and short articles written by Benchley and published in several different magazines of the times. Benchley had a fertile mind for the use of wordplay. His little works displayed a strong knowledge of puns and farce. The title of the book itself has no actual meaning related to the contents. He just liked the title. All of these short pieces were written before his relationship with “The New Yorker” magazine came into effect. One of his best customers seemed to be the “Detroit Athletic Club News,” followed by “Life” magazine. Each of them was a treat to read. His type of humor has virtually disappeared from the American scene, as has similar material by his fellow Algonquin Round Table members. His works are hard to find.

Genres: Humor, Essays

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1928

About the author

Works, including How to Sleep , the film of 1935, and My Ten Years in a Quandary , the book of 1936, of Robert Charles Benchley, humorist, critic, and actor, often pitted an average American against the complexities of modern life.

People best knew Robert Charles Benchley as a newspaper columnist. He began at the Lampoon and meanwhile attended Harvard University and wrote many essays and articles for Vanity Fair and The New Yorker.
From New York City and his peers at the Algonquin Round Table, short style brought acclaim, respect, and success to Benchley to contemporaries in the burgeoning industry.

Benchley contributed best remembered influential topical or absurdist essays to The New Yorker. He also made a name in Hollywood, when his popular success won best short subject at the academy awards of 1935, and his many memorable appearances in such as Foreign Correspondent of Alfred Joseph Hitchcock and a dramatic turn in Nice Girl? . He wrote his legacy in numerous short appearances.

Reviews

[Hinda Blas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very humorous. Written for the times (my copy was from 1928) and VERY enjoyable. But then Mr. Benchley was a very famous humorous! We need the likes of him today!

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like Robert Benchley's movies better than his writing. Perhaps I'd feel differently had I been reading his column from a newspaper or from the pages of Vanity Fair circa 1920, but frankly this set of columns and magazine snippets hasn't aged particularly well. The best thing about this book is the beautiful thick paper it was letter-press printed on and the occasionally charming illustrations by Gluyas Williams.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at a comedic columnist from the early 20th century.

[R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some absolute gems, here, especially if you've a hard-on against Calvin Coolidge.