The Diary of a Nobody. George and Weedon Grossmith (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

George Grossmith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: December 2003

"The Diary Of A Nobody" began as a serial in "Punch" and the book which followed in 1892 has never been out of print. The Grossmith brothers not only created an immortal comic character but produced a clever satire of their society. Mr Pooter is an office clerk and upright family man in a dull 1880s suburb. His diary is a wonderful portrait of the class system and the inherent snobbishness of the suburban middle classes. It sends up contemporary crazes for Aestheticism, spiritualism and bicycling, as well as the fashion for publishing diaries by anybody and everybody.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Grossmith brothers, George (1847-1912) and Weedon (1852-1919), both pursued successful theatrical careers. They are best remembered for their collaboration on THE DIARY OF A NOBODY which was written by both brothers and illustrated by Weedon. Ed Glinert is a journalist and writer. He is currently working on a book on Literary London for the Penguin Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books (December 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856132757
• ISBN-13: 978-0140437324
• ASIN: 0140437320
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable and still timely, January 5, 2007

By 

Anne-Marie Gilliland (Near D.C., USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Diary of a Nobody. George and Weedon Grossmith (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I grabbed this at a used book sale because the cover reminded me of a P.G. Wodehouse book. I wasn't really off the mark with that superficial assesment. This book is charming. Mr. Pooter (what a wonderful name!) is a hapless middleclass nobody, as the title suggests. He works in an office, has a wife he loves dearly and a rather useless son.

He decides at the begining of the book that since it is so fashionable to publish one's diary he will try his hand at keeping one. The humour is more subtle than Bridget Jone's Diary or P.G. Wodehouse, but it is still there. Especially with Mr. Pooter's love of puns.

He takes us through about a year of everyday absurdities which are hard not to sympathise with, trying to impress the boss, trying to rub shoulders with the more important, etc.

Added to the fun of the story are the neat little illustrations that accompany each chapter and the plot summary that proceeds each chapter as well. Very fun overall, I'm surprised I hadn't heard of it before honestly.