The Complete Nonsense Book

By Edward Lear

Book Overview

The absurd and fanciful verses of Edward Lear-from "The Owl and the Pussy-cat" to "The Jumblies," from "The Scroobious Pip" to countless limericks-have enchanted generations of readers, children and adults alike. This delightful collection, the most comprehensive ever compiled of his work, presents all of Lear's verse and other nonsense writings, including stories, letters, and illustrated alphabets, as well as previously unpublished material. Featuring Lear's own line drawings throughout and an introduction by leading Lear authority Vivien Noakes, this captivating volume reveals a complex man of ample talents, achievements, and influence-and is teeming with timeless nonsense.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142002275
• ISBN13: 9780142002278
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 624 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.6" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

I first discovered Edward Lear in a book of poetry as a child.

Imagine my delight when I found his Complete Book of Nonsense in my high school's library. This wonderful book includes his book of nonsense and much, much more, such as unusual illustrated letters he wrote to friends, more nonsense botany and alphabets, the scroobius pip, and a delightful commentary and history by Vivian Noakes. A must-have for any library.

A funny take on English language

The book is a lot of fun, but it can also be a serious tool for understanding English through its inventive vocabulary and the vivid imagery of the poems.

Excellent compilation--a trip down memory lane!

A great book to reconnect with Lear's verse, and to read some that may be unfamiliar. A good shared-read with children, enhancing their awareness of humor in language and stimulating their own creativity. An all-around good purchase.

King Lear

I was given this book by my father when I was seven years old and was thoroughly enchanted by it, and remain so to this day. The Owl and the Pussy Cat has passed into children's lore - many people know the rhyme through the song (was it Burl Ives?) or through new illustrated versions of it. They know the limericks (or at least the form, if not the rather esoteric content - the old man with the Beard, for instance, and the lady with the excessively long chin who had it made sharpand purchased a harpand played several tunes with her chin).But do they know of The Dong with the Luminous Nose, or the Pobble Who Has No Toes, or the short history of Violet, Slingsby, Guy, and Lionel? Or the illustrated botanical alphabet with such plants as the ManyPeeplia Upsidedownia (you'd have to see the drawing!) It would be impossible to say how many times I read, re-read, and enjoyed this book as a child and an adult, including the rather touching, affectionate introduction to the man himself. Please, please buy this book. You'll never regret it.

Essential Nonsense!

This is a very well presented hardback containing the best of Edward Lear. Perhaps not as complete as Holbrook Jackson's Complete Edward Lear, it nevertheless contains his best work, including A Book Of Nonsense, Limericks, alphabets and his most well-known poems, The Dong With The Luminous Nose, The Quangle Wangle Quee, and The Jumblies. The author's quaint illustrations are well reproduced throughout.The reason this book is so important to comedy is that the incluence on people like Spike Milligan, Beyond The Fringe, and of course Monty Python's Flying Circus is clear. Lear was obviously the 19th century precursor to those humourists. Lear brings an educated and intelligent angle to his humour just as his successors did, and his talent as a poet and artist make this collection much more than just a collection of 'nonsense'!

Every child needs some nonsense

Edward Lear's nonsense is of the best. Read it aloud! Your kids will amaze you by how fast they can begin to recite along with you! If you remember "The Owl and the Pussycat" from your childhood, you owe it to yourself and your children to share it and "The Jumblies" with them.