Showing results by author "Stephen Leacock" in All Categories

Stephen P H Butler Leacock FRSC was born on 30th December 1869 in Swanmore, near Southampton, England, the third of eleven children. The family emigrated to Canada in 1876, settling on a 100-acre farm in Sutton, Ontario. Although he had already published several humorous pieces it was only in 1910 that these works were collected and published and turned him into a commercially successful writer. Volume after volume now appeared almost annually and it was often said that more people had heard of him than of Canada. Stephen Leacock died on 28th March 1944 of throat cancer in Toronto, Canada.

Nonsense Novels was first published in 1920 yet a century later remains a huge favorite among Stephen Leacock fans. The British-born Canadian writer was renowned for his humor, and Nonsense Novels epitomizes both this skill and his mastery of the ridiculous. From an ill-fated Middle Ages romance to the dubious skills of a pitiful private eye and the happy outcome of a generations-old Scottish feud, Nonsense Novels is a tremendous listen.

One of Canada's most cherished writers, British-born Stephen Leacock was probably best known and loved for his works of light humor. First published in 1912, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is one of his most popular and enduring pieces of fiction. This collection of short stories describes the people that comprise a typical but fictional small town in Ontario - Mariposa. The book's appeal lies in the universality of the characters Leacock describes so eloquently, they live out their 'large' lives in the little town.

In this thought-provoking political essay, renowned Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock, while serving as a professor of political economy at McGill University, explores the delicate balance between capitalism and socialism. Though written nearly a century ago, Leacocks insights resonate powerfully with listeners in the early 21st century, making this 90-year-old work surprisingly relevant. (Summary by Sean Michael Hogan)

Step into the whimsical and wonderfully absurd world of Stephen Leacock, Canada’s beloved humorist. This carefully curated collection brings together 12 of his most delightful short stories from Frenzied Fiction (1918), Literary Lapses (1910), Nonsense Novels (1911), and Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy (1915). Whether skewering the pretentiousness of academia, playfully mocking social conventions, or embracing the sheer joy of nonsense, Leacock’s tales remain as fresh and comical today as when they first captivated listeners over a century ago.

Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is a sequence of stories by Stephen Leacock, first published in 1912. It is generally considered to be one of the most enduring classics of Canadian humorous literature. The fictional setting for these stories is Mariposa, a small town on the shore of Lake Wissanotti. Although drawn from his experiences in Orillia, Ontario, Leacock notes: "Mariposa is not a real town. On the contrary, it is about seventy or eighty of them. You may find them all the way from Lake Superior to the sea, with the same square streets and the same maple trees and the same churches ...

Born in England in 1869, Stephen Leacock would immigrate to Canada and become a teacher, political scientist, and writer. He would ultimately come to be best known and loved as a humourist. Literary Lapses was first published as a collection of sketches in 1910, although many of the individual stories were first printed in various newspapers and periodicals, such as Punch, New York Life, and the Detroit Free Press.

This a typical Christmas story but with a classic Leacock ironic twist and a zest of humour. "The Errors of Santa Claus" is a charming tale of gift-giving and kindness. It is Christmas time and parents are getting their children’s gifts ready.

Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) may be considered the Canadian counterpart to Mark Twain. For many years he was professor of economics at Magill University and published a number of well-regarded texts on economics and political science. However, he is best known today for his many volumes of humorous fiction. During the 1920s he was one of the most widely read authors in the English-speaking world and was considered by Jack Benny and Groucho Marx to be one of the greatest comic writers of all time.

"Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town" is considered to be the masterpiece of Stephen Leacock. Originally published in 1912, it is a set of tales occurring in the fictional hamlet of Mariposa, on the shores of Lake Wissanotti. Many of the characters in the stories are patterned on locals of Orillia, Ontario. The stories are gems of Canadian small town folklore. Leacock brings the quirks, eccentricities and flaws of these everyday people to life in the most humorous way. Every corner of Mariposa has a story to tell!

This is an annotated edition with an additional biography section and an original prelude by J.J. Calvert. Humor is subjective, but at least for many in the CR community, this packs a hilarious punch. Stephen Butler Leacock, born in 1869 and died in 1944, was a Canadian humorist. He was also a professor of political science at McGill University for almost three decades--but he is better remembered as a world famous humorist who could make men and women bend at the waist with laughter whilst reading his nonsensical literature. His Secrets To Success is satirical response to the ubiquitous ...

In Volume 20 of The Chronicles of Canada series, we explore the intrepid explorers who braved the stunning yet perilous Canadian Arctic in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. This captivating installment brings to life the extraordinary journeys of Samuel Hearne, Sir Alexander Mackenzie, and Sir John Franklin, weaving together their heroic narratives into a thrilling adventure. Join us as we uncover their trials, triumphs, and the spirit of exploration that drove them into the icy unknown. (Summary by TriciaG)

'Number Fifty-Six' is a humorous tale of a Chinese laundryman who gets to know his clients through their laundry habits. He is able to infer much from the state of the various shirts, handkerchiefs, waistcoats which are delivered to him for washing. Of all his clients he is most fascinated by number 56...a man with strangely fluctuating shirt habits. And then one fateful day, a dreadful set of laundry is delivered to him....

The First World War has left the world in agony. Disillusionment, hopelessness, and horror are rife when a despondent author gets a visit by Father Time and Father Christmas, who come to raise his spirits. He wishes for better days, but the war has taken everything, turning him into a hopeless and angry nihilist. Nevertheless, the Christmas spirit is here to bring hope and another chance at happiness.

Dive into a collection of captivating stories by Canadian author Stephen Leacock. This anthology features familiar characters from Further Foolishness and blends humor with thoughtful reflections. A background in WWI-era European politics will enhance your appreciation of the wit woven throughout these narratives. (Summary by TriciaG)

Dive into the whimsical world of 1910 with Literary Lapses, a collection of delightful sketches that explore the humorous side of life. Renowned humorist Professor Leacock has brought laughter to countless readers through his clever prose. A. P. Herbert once declared him the greatest jesters, the greatest humorist of the age. Join us as we celebrate the wit and charm of Leacocks work, brought to life by TriciaG and Wikipedia.

Immerse yourself in the delightful world of Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, a charming collection of stories by Stephen Leacock, originally published in 1912. Celebrated as a classic of Canadian humorous literature, these tales unfold in the fictional town of Mariposa, nestled along the picturesque shores of Lake Wissanotti. While inspired by Leacocks own experiences in Orillia, Ontario, he cheekily notes in the introduction that Mariposa is not a real town—rather, it embodies countless small towns across Canada, with their familiar square streets, maple trees, and quaint churches and ...

Dive into a delightfully whimsical world with Nonsense Novels, featuring ten hilarious tales by the renowned Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock. These stories, masterfully narrated by Tricia G, are sure to tickle your funny bone and spark your imagination.

Dive into the whimsical world of 1915 through the eyes of Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock. With his sharp wit and a touch of irony, Leacock offers a delightful mix of humorous and cynical reflections on life, guaranteed to entertain and provoke thought. (Summary by TriciaG)

Dive into a delightful collection that features a witty parody of Problem Plays, alongside amusing anecdotes from the beloved Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock. Join us for a journey filled with laughter and clever insights, expertly narrated by TriciaG and brought to life by a talented cast.