Eight Great Commedies

In a world that seems to be perpetually teetering on the precipice of existential dread—or perhaps it’s just Monday—what could possibly be better than curling up with a collection of theatrical tomfoolery? "Eight Great Comedies," penned by the undoubtedly sardonic trio of Sylvan Barnet, Morton Berman, and William Burto, offers a splendid tapestry of laughter stitched together with wit, whimsy, and perhaps a dash of something that smells suspiciously like last week’s leftovers. First published in 1958, it strives to remind us that the human condition is, at its core, a farce.

This collection is less of a book and more of a time capsule, capturing the essence of a post-war society that still managed to find humor between the cracks of crumbling infrastructure and unyielding social norms. One might wonder if the authors were simply trying to offset the bleakness of their era with jolly antics and misunderstandings. Or perhaps they just had a surplus of quill ink and an insatiable need to poke fun at pompous fools. Either way, readers are treated to a delightful range of comedic styles, from slapstick to the subtly absurd, which, when combined, create a strangely intoxicating brew of chuckles and guffaws.

Within the pages of this venerable tome, you’ll find yourself entangled in farcical plots that make you question if the playwrights were truly comedic geniuses or if they merely enjoyed hearing the sound of their own typewriters clattering away in the dead of night. Illustratively, one cannot help but wonder what might have transpired in the minds of Barnet, Berman, and Burto as they assembled this collection. Did they plot their comedic masterpieces in secret gatherings over gin and tonic, or were they simply experimenting with dramatic irony while waiting for the kettle to boil?

The Complete texts of the worlds great comedies from ancient times to the present.

• Aristophanes: The Clouds
• Machiavelli: Mandragola
• Shakespeare: Twelth Night
• Moliere: The Miser
• John Gay: The Beggars Opera
• Oscar Wilde: The Importance Of Being Earnest
• Anton Chekhov: Uncle Vanya
• Bernard Shaw: Arms and the Man

As you turn each yellowed page, expect to encounter the following delightful features:

• Characters that would make even a soap opera star blush.
• Plot twists so outrageous that you’ll need a seatbelt.
• Dialogue that crackles with wit, though perhaps not the kind that would pass a modern-day sensitivity training.
• A plethora of misunderstandings that could fuel a reality show—or a very confusing evening at the pub.
• Inexplicable charm, like a cat in a top hat trying to juggle.

Yet, let us not forget that this literary treasure trove is very much a product of its time. The 1950s, a decade rife with optimistic naivety and a touch of post-war irony, is palpable on every page. Laugh, if you will, but do so with an understanding that context matters. It’s as if Barnet, Berman, and Burto sat down at an imaginary round table, quills in hand, defiantly laughing in the face of societal expectations—and then promptly spilled their ink everywhere. Traditional notions of comedy are turned upside down and inside out, leading us to wonder if the authors had a hidden agenda or simply enjoyed seeing how ridiculous they could make their characters behave.

Condition: Used, with an aura of neglect that whispers of countless previous readers who have likely pondered the mysteries of comedy while sipping lukewarm tea. The cover features wear that suggests it has seen more than a few dust bunnies and perhaps a stray cat or two. Expect the occasional dog-eared page, a few marginal notes that are likely the musings of a bemused soul, and a distinct aroma of nostalgia that could be mistaken for an antique shop on a damp afternoon. In short, it’s the perfect companion for anyone looking to add a bit of quirky charm to their bookshelf—or for those who simply want to impress their friends with a book that sounds far more sophisticated than it has any right to be.

So, whether you’re planning to entertain guests with snippets of grandiloquent dialogue or simply want to amuse yourself on a rainy day, "Eight Great Comedies" is available for a price that won’t break the bank—unless inflation has decided to play the ultimate comedic twist on us all. Snag your copy today from Crappy Old Books, where literary treasures await, wrapped in a delightful cloak of irony and a hint of the absurd.

Keep browsing: See more Humour books Other books by Sylvan Barnet, Morton Berman & William Burto