Feast of Stephen

Stephen Leacock is one of my favorite humorists - perhaps somewhat obscure these days, but as sharp and as witty as ever. Think of him as a precursor to Garison Keillor and you can't go too far wrong. This book is slender, too slender for my tastes, and I do not regard it as a feast, more like a selection of hors d'oeuvres. The introduction by Robertson Davies is not, as one might expect, a fawning admiration of Leacock, but serves him up, warts and all, on a platter. Positive but with qualifications.The selections are very good, though I can think of some pieces I would have preferred, it must have been a very difficult task to limit the Leacock to just these fifteen. And they are gems, each one. I thought I might quote a little here and there, but found myself unable to stop - all the review would be selections from the selections. Do yourself a favour and buy a copy if you like Leacock. Davies' introduction is worth the price alone, and the selections are a bonus, and you may then read all of the pieces I would have included in their entirety.If you don't know of Stephen Leacock, run, do not walk, to the 1-click button and give it a click. You'll be glad you did!