Customer Reviews

The Book of Snobs

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book. Unlike the previous reviewer, I found it totally enjoyable and informative. It is not a book of jokes: it's mostly satire, and is amusing rather than funny, though I did laugh out loud a few times. What surprised me was that so many of these snobs still exist in the 21st century! The author says, "It is impossible for ANY Briton not to be a snob in some degree."

The book is a collections of articles Thackeray wrote for Punch, and is typical of that magazine. Thackeray's definition is, 'He who meanly admires mean things is a snob'. He starts at the top, by defining and describing Royal Snobs, Aristocratic Snobs, respectable snobs, city snobs, military snobs, clerical snobs, university snobs, literary snobs, etc, etc., and so descends to the lower classes, which are just as full of snobs as the upper. I found myself in this book! I believe myself to be a humble downright person, but Thackeray's perception is very acute. I would challenge any Brit to read this and NOT find himself.

A really good read. If you like 'Spitting Image' you'll like this.

I usually like Thackeray's works a lot. That's why I didn't hesitate to buy this. Book of Snobs seemed to be something he wrote to break in a new pen; or maybe he had promised a publisher something on a deadline and ran out of ideas. Parts are humorous, but I was bored. Thank goodness I read quickly; otherwise I'm not sure I would have finished it. Do not let this review of a single book turn you off to Thackeray. Do try Henry Esmond or Barry Lyndon. (The third star is because it's Thackeray - and maybe I missed something.)