- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Ivan R Dee (Mar 14 2007)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1566637295
- ISBN-13: 978-1566637299
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 363 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #899,127 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
The life of the man who is fondly remembered for his verse "Candy/Is dandy/ But liquor/Is quicker" was often anything but dandy, according to his assiduous biographer. Ogden Nash's (1902–1971) genteel Southern heritage and one year at Harvard (due to his father's financial reverses) provided him with literary aspirations that led him to fear his jaunty, pun-filled, gently satiric verse was not real poetry. Even after acclaim greeted his frequent publication in the New Yorker, finances forced him to leave his beloved (and temperamental) wife and two daughters to go on the road as a lecturer and performer, where he often suffered bouts of intestinal illness and depression. His yearning for a career in musical theater was briefly (if memorably) fulfilled when he provided the lyrics for Kurt Weill's classic "Speak Low." Gratification came from unexpected sources, however, including a lifelong friendship with S.J. Perelman and the praise of W.H. Auden. Parker, a retired lawyer writing with the Nash family's cooperation, provides numerous examples of Nash's distinctive poetry, his wit underscored by gentle social commentary, antic wordplay and rhyme and meter that seemed random but was meticulously composed. Parker's is a useful, highly readable biography of one of America's best-loved poets. Photos. 12 b&w photos not seen by PW. (Apr. 29)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School–Parker paints a picture of a kind, loving man who made words and wordplay fun and entertaining. Even at the age of 10, Nash possessed a talent and an ability to use language cleverly. In 1930, Nash's poems made their appearance in the New Yorker, and this funny, talented writer became part of a literary landscape that included such luminaries as Dorothy Parker and S. J. Perelman. At first glance, Nash's verses seem simple, and yet they are filled with witty lines and twists on spelling. He liked to write about families, and no one was safe from his gentle satire, not even his beloved wife, Frances. Nash told the truth about the ordinary and, in doing so, endeared himself to a lifetime of readers. Would-be poets and satirists as well as students interested in the artistic milieu of the times will enjoy reading this well-written tribute.–Peggy Bercher, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The need for him remains steady., Aug 6 2005
By Craig Matteson - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Ogden Nash: The Life and Work of America's Laureate of Light Verse (Hardcover)
Ogden Nash is an example of how our need to label things can cheat us of clearly seeing something that is actually quite unique and important. It is an understandable problem because it is hard to put a meaningful label on something that stands apart. We say that he is the poet laureate of light verse, or a humorist, or a writer of joke verse. His detractors call him a bad poet because he is "not serious". Balderdash. He was a very serious writer. Though many have tried to copy him by going after some of his rhythms and wonderfully forced rhymes, they never pull it off because they are not as serious or as talented has he.Nash said that he looked on his work as essays in verse (pg 245) and noted several times how hard he had to work to create his works. Never mind the fact that at one book signing he wrote a couplet along with his signature and of course everyone else wanted one, too. That evening he had to spontaneously create 100 of these witty little things. It was an incredibly draining evening.
What is it about Nash's work that makes it stand apart? Well, it is genuinely funny. Not because it goes in for the cheap giggle or the linguistic pratfall. It is because he has something real to say first and then has the ability to give the meaning energy and lift in fabulous words that are just right and the humor makes the point all the more meaningful and memorable. Even when he does lay the verbal egg it is done with purpose and care in a way that rewards the reader. Nash lets you know that he knows that you know that he knows what the joke is and you are in it together.
This biography has a lot to do with his wife and daughters and that is appropriate since his domestic life informed so much of his work. His publishers, for magazines and books, also make many appearances since he was an author who made his living from his earnings through publishing. The New Yorker has a central place with his various editors over the years. It is all very interesting stuff.
However interesting the life, it is the work we hold close and Douglas Parker makes good selections and includes a lot of appropriate, relevant, and delightful works by Nash in his text. We owe Mr. Parker a debt of gratitude and we can show that by purchasing this valuable book, reading it, and then digging into Ogden Nash once again. Maybe we can get a revival of Nashomania going!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This Book is a Real Treat, Aug 23 2005
By Eleanor Meyer - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Ogden Nash: The Life and Work of America's Laureate of Light Verse (Hardcover)
Many of us probably recognize Ogden Nash as the creator of humorous poetry, but he was a man of far greater accomplishments than might be generally known.In this biography, Doug Parker gives a very complete and fascinating overview of Nash and the diversity of his works, which included movie scripts and--much to my surprise--song lyrics. Parker relates his story in manageable sequences, interspersing just enough famous lines from Nash to lure the reader into wanting to read more of the man's work. One would think that Parker knew Nash personally because of the skillful manner in which he discreetly discusses the poet's health problems, his devotion to his family, his dislike of confrontation, and the entire span of his creative life.It took an impressive amount of research to create this interesting account of Nash's life, and Parker made much use of Nash's personal letters. He does not overwhelm the reader with excessive detail, rather, he leaves the reader feeling like one who has enjoyed a great meal but has not overeaten, and who knows he can come back for seconds by reading more of Nash's work. This is an enjoyable and informative book that gives the reader a real appreciation for the talents of Ogden Nash.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm biased - but who isn't - this is a wonderful biography!, July 21 2005
By H. L. Parker - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Ogden Nash: The Life and Work of America's Laureate of Light Verse (Hardcover)
Full disclaimer: this is the biographer's daughter writing in...!This biography of Nash is complex, well-researched and scholarly, but most importantly, like Nash's poetry, it is a joy to read. I grew up hearing bits of Nash's poetry (and many other witticisms) recited throughout my childhood. At some point I probably (and unfortunately) dismissed Nash as being old-fashioned. Having now grown up, however, I see the true timelessness of his work - in fact one of his sayings was on a greeting card that I purchased this week. To embark on a journey through Nash's diverse experiences is pure delight; his life encompasses many eras, and because his unique voice was expressed in such a wide variety of genres he crossed paths with many variously talented, often famous and certainly interesting people. While these personal connections and Nash's struggles and triumphs make good biographical material, it should be noted that this material is handled with just the right touch; the biographer allows Nash's writing to stand on its own, and Nash's place in American literary history - as America's Laureate of Light Verse - becomes clear. The thing about good biographies - of writers - is that they make you want to revisit the writer's original work, and this biography accomplishes that many times over. So, even though there are plenty of poems included, you might want to keep one of Nash's original volumes handy - just for fun! Enjoy.
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