Not Much Fun: The Lost Poems of Dorothy Parker (Paperback)

by Stuart Y. Silverstein (Author) "The literary raconteur Alexander Woollcott only intended to fawn over Dorothy Parker when he included the short (eleven-page) but vastly influential profile in his bestselling..." (more)
Key Phrases: Santa Claus

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
A succinct, yet enlightening introduction and footnotes with quintessential Dorothy Parker anecdotes and quotes serve as brilliant foundation for this collection of "lost" poems. In fact, they are pieces that Parker discarded as not fit for publication, and Parker enthusiasts will notice that many foreshadow more-polished later versions. Though Parker once described her verse as "horribly outdated--anything once fashionable is dreadful now," it's clear that even her "unfit" works are far from dreadful. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
These poems are not "lost" in the way that we have come to expect from TV specials that celebrate never-seen episodes of, say, The Honeymooners. Rather, as Silverstein points out, these 122 poems appeared in popular magazines and newspapers of 1915-1938 yet have not previously been collected between hard covers. This does not bode well, nor does Silverstein, a journalist, attempt to build our hopes?his very lengthy introduction hits hard on Parker's alcoholism. But to engage the reader, he offers, via 113 footnotes, scores of "Dottie's" best witticisms. (The book's title is her response to a bartender's query: "What are you having?"). He succinctly observes that Parker's problem was a lack of artistic vision: "She needed ideas, not craft, and she failed." Indeed, this collection of light verse is built basically on two blunt ideas, which fortunately are not without their entertainment value: romance bad ("The most wonderful thing/ Is how well I get on without you"); money good ("Immortality ask I not/ All I want is a lot of jack").
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Scribner (July 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743211480
• ISBN-13: 978-0743211482
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #529,145 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dottie Didn't Like Them, But I Sure Do!, July 22, 2004

By	Kelly Langston-Smith (Atomic City, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NOT MUCH FUN: The Lost Poems of Dorothy Parker (Hardcover)

How we live in a world where this book was at one time remaindered and now out of print is simply beyond me. Dorothy Parker is not only one of the finest poets who ever ran pen across page, but a wit and a charm as well. This collection of works that fell through the cracks (mostly because Dottie didn't like them) is a gem fit for anyone's library. The obligatory biography is peppered with footnotes of a more informal and personal nature, giving many of her scathing witticisms in given situations. The verses collected are also quite good, even though viewed as rejects by the author. Scathing, sarcastic, brilliant and at times, very personal, your Dorothy Parker collection isn't complete without them. The conclusion of the book are the "Hymns of Hate" not collected anywhere else and are wildly funny and pertinent even in our modern world. Don't miss this fun and fine book which has, hopefully, not seen its last visit to the printing press.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gotta Love Dottie, January 28, 2003

By	H. A Truett "Wordy Girl" (Mississippi) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dottie is my fave poet and my literary hero. Wouldn't model my life after hers, but I sure wish I could sharpen my tongue to match hers sometimes. Loved reading this.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "fun" for the reader if not the writer, December 28, 2003

By	Patricia R. Andersen "redheaded booklover" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: NOT MUCH FUN: The Lost Poems of Dorothy Parker (Hardcover)

If you are a Dorothy Parker fan, this is a great book. It has the seiries of "I Hate...." poems, which is not collected anywhere else, as well as other gems Dottie deemed not worthy of being republished elsewhere. Mr Silverstein's excellent use of footnotes helps explain what was going on with Dottie when various poems were written. I have always admired Dorothy Parker but I definitely wouldn't want the pain and anguish of her life.

So if you are a Dorothy Parker fan, get this book for the lost poems so you can have a full collection of this underrated literay star. I recommend it highly.