The Agony and the Eggplant (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Hogan does an admirable job of getting behind the humor, zany remarks, and fabrications of Pinkwater. He includes sufficient biographical information, but the most important part of the book is the evaluation/criticism of his subject's work. Subtitle and series name aside, the various chapters follow Pinkwater's career from writing picture books to young adult novels. Quotations from him on various aspects of his writing are interspersed as Hogan skillfully combines critical comments and allows the creativity and genius of his subject to shine forth. The bibliography includes the author's work chronologically and by genre, as well as secondary sources, Web sites, and reviews. This well-researched and well-footnoted volume offers librarians new insight into this popular author's work.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

The Agony and the Eggplant is the first book-length study of author, illustrator, and radio personality, Daniel Pinkwater. Pinkwater began writing and illustrating children's books in 1970 and has been a prolific author for three decades. He has written over 70 books altogether: more than fifty picture books, a dozen books for middle-grade or intermediate readers, half a dozen books for adolescents, an adult novel, and several books of nonfiction. This fifth volume in the "Scarecrow Studies in Young Adult Literature" series discusses nearly all of Pinkwater's books, and emphasizes his young adult fiction: "Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars" (1979), "The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death" (1982), "The Snarkout Boys and the Baconburg Horror" (1984), "Young Adult Novel" (1982), "Young Adults" (1985), and "The Education of Robert Nifkin" (1997). Pinkwater is a humorist, and many of his stories involve science fiction or fantasy themes. He is often compared with Douglas Adams and Kurt Vonnegut; his style is often likened to Monty Python and "Mad" magazine. Pinkwater's fiction has often been described as "wacky" and "zany"; "The Agony and the Eggplant "will go beyond those cliches to place Pinkwater as a classical satirist, an American humorist, and a master of children's literature.This volume is sprinkled with quotes and observations from Pinkwater, one of the funniest men alive. A highly entertaining look at the man responsible for some of the most unique young adult fiction on the market.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. (March 21, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810839946
• ISBN-13: 978-0810839946
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,021,085 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Daniel Pinkwater's writings, August 15, 2001

By	Robert B. Makinson "Robert B. Makinson" (Brooklyn New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Thorough summary of Pinkwater's writings, along with biographical information.The field of humor philosophy is also covered.