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9th out of 85 books
—
66 voters
Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade (Auntie Mame #1)
Wildly successful when it was first published in 1955, Patrick Dennis’ Auntie Mame sold over two million copies and stayed put on the New York Times bestseller list for 112 weeks. It was made into a play, a Broadway as well as a Hollywood musical, and a fabulous movie starring Rosalind Russell. Since then, Mame has taken her rightful place in the pantheon of Great and Impo...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
September 11th 2001
by Broadway Books
(first published 1955)
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So... There I was quietly minding my own business...growing up in New England when who one snowy night should land square in my lap on the "late late movie," but Mame Dennis herself wrapped in the incomparable roz russell... I stayed up until 3:00 am watching and enraptured ... the next morning I pounced on my mum first thing and told her I had a new favorite movie... She told me if I liked that I would love the book... We checked at the local book store and alas... It was OUT of print!!! Sigh.....more
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Liscia, gassata o...
frrrrizzzante come Zia Mame!
Se amate l'acqua Panna lasciate stare, potrebbe darvi alla testa.
Ma se invece amate la Ferrarelle, la Brioblu, o meglio ancora la Perrier state tranquilli, siete nel vostro elemento: perché zia Mame è effervescente, sopra le righe, irriverente, socialmente scorretta e a suo modo egocentrica e dispotica e vi travolgerà con tutte le sue bollicine.
Sia chiaro, non è certamente quel capolavoro al quale molti hanno gridato, ma è un romanzo molto piacevol...more
frrrrizzzante come Zia Mame!
Se amate l'acqua Panna lasciate stare, potrebbe darvi alla testa.
Ma se invece amate la Ferrarelle, la Brioblu, o meglio ancora la Perrier state tranquilli, siete nel vostro elemento: perché zia Mame è effervescente, sopra le righe, irriverente, socialmente scorretta e a suo modo egocentrica e dispotica e vi travolgerà con tutte le sue bollicine.
Sia chiaro, non è certamente quel capolavoro al quale molti hanno gridato, ma è un romanzo molto piacevol...more
Sparklingly witty, irreverently satirical, this 1955 novel manages to remain timelessly relevant in its cutting send-up of conformity, conservatism, and cupidity. Mame Dennis first swam into my ken during the long, hot, boring summer of 1973, an anodyne to the astoundingly dreary Watergate hearings on TV. I complained to my mother about the absence of entertainment, and she snorted mightily: "How can *anyone* be bored in this house full of books? Here, read this," and she handed me "Auntie Mame....more
May 25, 2008
Leslie Hickman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who wants to laugh
Recommended to Leslie by:
strolling the library shelves
On a scale of 1 to 10, this book is a solid 12!!! Strangley enough after reading this book I want to go through ALL my other ratings and lower them by one! I discovered this book while strolling through the shelves at the library looking for my book club book by Dickens. I was scanning the shelves with my eyes looking for a name of the author to guesstimate where to stop and the spine of the second in the series (Around the World with Auntie Mame) jumped out at me. So I grabbed it read the cover...more
I've always been a fan of the Rosalind Russell film, Auntie Mame, and after recently watching the dreadfully sub-par Mame, starring Lucille Ball, I decided it was finally time to read the book and discover madcap Mame's true story for myself. This book is absolutely hilarious, hands-down one of the funniest, most charming books I've ever read. The Rosalind Russell film is a gem, but the book takes everything wonderful about the film and multiplies it about ten times over. The book is quite a bit...more
I've been an AUNTIE MAME fan for over 40 years, since I first encountered the Roz Russell film accidentally one afternoon. They showed it in two parts and I couldn't WAIT for the next afternoon to see the second part!
Not very long after, equally accidentally, I came across the original Patrick Dennis novel in the 25-Cent bin at a used bookstore. Both serendipitous events signaled the introduction of a character who has remained with me ever since in her various incarnations, a love affair that c...more
Not very long after, equally accidentally, I came across the original Patrick Dennis novel in the 25-Cent bin at a used bookstore. Both serendipitous events signaled the introduction of a character who has remained with me ever since in her various incarnations, a love affair that c...more
Since it was reprinted, the topic of Mame Dennis has crept into a lot of online reviews and conversations over cocktails. I recently got into a screaming match on an airplane over the topic of Mame's relevance today. Even some of the reviews on this site are less than flattering and I want to answer them all by suggesting that the authors (and readers) read the book again.
Mame is an icon, even today. She is our Alice in Wonderland all grown up, smarter, wittier and more interesting than Mary Pop...more
Mame is an icon, even today. She is our Alice in Wonderland all grown up, smarter, wittier and more interesting than Mary Pop...more
If there was a way I could have given this 2 1/2 stars I would have, but gave it 3, to round up...and make it an "average" read.
Oddly, this book made me feel like I was reading a story very similar...or something that I could compare it to, Breakfast at Tiffany's..but with a kid thrown in.
I've read Breakfast at Tiffany's and seen the movie adaption staring the late and great Audrey Hepburn. Maybe it was just me, but the eccentricities of Mame, and her approach on life reminded me a TON of Holly...more
Oddly, this book made me feel like I was reading a story very similar...or something that I could compare it to, Breakfast at Tiffany's..but with a kid thrown in.
I've read Breakfast at Tiffany's and seen the movie adaption staring the late and great Audrey Hepburn. Maybe it was just me, but the eccentricities of Mame, and her approach on life reminded me a TON of Holly...more
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I would never have remembered that I read this book in my youth if Jessica Day George (a favorite author...you should totally read her dragon series and her retold fairy tales...just sayin') hadn't added it to her list. Holy cow. It brought back a flood of memories just thinking about it, like when you smell a particular smell that takes you right to a place from your dim, distant past. I remember exactly where I was when I read it, which is quite a feat in itself, considering the fact that it h...more
If you have seen the classic film or the stage show then most of the story is already quite familiar to you--not a bad thing to say about any adaptation. And I do like the fact that the books has many more adventures with the older Patrick between college and his first few years out in the adult world.
The biggest difference is how really adult the Mame character is around Patrick at any age. Things hinted at in the film--racism, sexism, antisemitism and homophobia are all talked about in much br...more
The biggest difference is how really adult the Mame character is around Patrick at any age. Things hinted at in the film--racism, sexism, antisemitism and homophobia are all talked about in much br...more
L'atmosfera è quella di una commedia hollywoodiana anni '50. Ed in effetti ne hanno tratto un film, una commedia teatrale e un musical.
Buona società newyorkese, appartamenti enormi e lussuosi,feste a ripetizione, ricchezza, ipocrisia e.. lei, l'elemento destabilizzate. Zia Mame: anticonformista, all'avanguardia, grande appassionata di wiskhy, pronta a sperimentare ogni cosa purchè sappia di novità, sofisticata ma anche terribilemtne ingenua. Una forza della natura che sa anche essere incredibilm...more
Buona società newyorkese, appartamenti enormi e lussuosi,feste a ripetizione, ricchezza, ipocrisia e.. lei, l'elemento destabilizzate. Zia Mame: anticonformista, all'avanguardia, grande appassionata di wiskhy, pronta a sperimentare ogni cosa purchè sappia di novità, sofisticata ma anche terribilemtne ingenua. Una forza della natura che sa anche essere incredibilm...more
I LOVED this book! The Rosalind Russel version of the movie is one of my all time favorite movies. I just love it. I think it's because, in a weird way, I relate to Auntie Mame. I long ago, after seeing the movie for the first time, that I was going to do everything possible to be like the Auntie Mame in the movie - charismatic, outgoing, crazy. But not a lush, I can't hold my liquor at all.
Anyway, I learned that the movie was based on a book. I was so excited to find out because I knew that the...more
Anyway, I learned that the movie was based on a book. I was so excited to find out because I knew that the...more
A quick preface: I’m never sure if including comments on books read in the distant past is strictly kosher on this list. Seen one way, including these books seems a pathetic attempt to build my public shelf. Seen another way, including them seems a perfect way to introduce to others material no longer in the public popular eye but still a wonderful reading experience. Until someone tells me to “shut up”, I am going to continue to add the odd personal blast from the past as seems useful to do so....more
Auntie Mame by Patric Dennis is the madcap story of an orphaned eight year old who is sent to live with his wild aunt Mame. Taking place in the eccentric upper class scene of new york during the 1920‘s; each chapter is a different story in chronicle order of Patrics life. I really enjoyed reading these stories’ fast pace writing. Dennis’ writing is quick and witty, at times I would have appreciated more explanation and detail in he descriptions of the characters especially Mame. Each chapter be...more
Auntie Mame is the rollicking story of a boy who when his father dies is sent to live with his flamboyant aunt, the title's Auntie Mame, who has become an icon of literature, as well as of stage and screen. She's marvelously vital and funny, and Dennis surrounds her with more wonderful characters: her best friend, Vera Charles, "a famous actress from Pittsburgh who spoke with such Mayfair elegance that you could barely understand a word she said"; her secretary, the mousy (and wonderfully named)...more
I really, really liked this book. If you enjoy P.G. Wodehouse--I'm looking at you, Alyson--you would probably enjoy this book, too. It reminds me of the Jeeves stories that are set in New York. Anyway, the only thing I didn't like about this book was the rather clumsy framing device in which the narrator, Patrick Dennis, compares memories of his adventures with his aunt to the cookie-cutter plot of a Reader's Digest novel featuring the "Unforgettable Character." The afterword by Michael Tanner (...more
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…riuscì a sembrare una donna cui si poteva affidare un bambino a occhi chiusi
Quando ci si avvicina a un’opera scritta quasi sessant’anni fa, riedita con grande successo di pubblico e considerata ormai un classico dell’umorismo e poi, nonostante il meccanismo psicologico delle aspettative, la si trova ancor oggi un libro straordinariamente divertente… beh, vuol dire che c’è della vera sostanza in queste pagine e non un fenomeno “modaiolo” come qualcuno lo ha liquidato!
Le vicende narrate in “Zia M...more
Quando ci si avvicina a un’opera scritta quasi sessant’anni fa, riedita con grande successo di pubblico e considerata ormai un classico dell’umorismo e poi, nonostante il meccanismo psicologico delle aspettative, la si trova ancor oggi un libro straordinariamente divertente… beh, vuol dire che c’è della vera sostanza in queste pagine e non un fenomeno “modaiolo” come qualcuno lo ha liquidato!
Le vicende narrate in “Zia M...more
I'd seen this movie with Rosalind Russell, but had no idea that this was a book until I came across it randomly one day. It was not as funny as I had expected after reading the reviews, but I still give it a solid 4 stars. The movie was a little long and sentimental in parts, but the book's expanded, less-sanitized versions of events are much more enjoyable. In the book we see Auntie Mame swearing, swilling booze, and running around with Patrick's college friends. The first word on Patrick's voc...more
I enjoyed reading this book as it was amusing, particularly at the beginning. Dennis has the ability to create wonderfully vivid scenes in his writing. However, I didn't feel like the book lived up to the great expectations created by so many of the reviews. The novel was largely episodic, and like many, I found the 'Reader's Digest' portions were boring and didn't succeed in tying the stories together. As it went on, the narrative grew more and more disjointed and left the reader wondering what...more
This book was a breeze to read! Now that I have the time, I devoured this tale of Auntie Mame’s flamboyant character in about 3 days. Auntie Mame is by no means deep or rich in morals; it is a simplistic comedy. Every chapter beholds a new story each one more ridiculous then the last. Although this book is not on my list of favorites it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to others and I can certainly see how it was so popular when it was first published. Considering how I am currently...more
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This book reminds me of all the wonderful gilded age elements in Gatsby without all of the seriousness. It is purely hedonistic, but I love it. The character of Auntie Mame is equally ridiculous as she is wonderful but you can't help but love her and wish that you were along for the ride. Her little adventures, which are probably more accurately described as misadventures that somehow come out alright, are always so silly and odd that you can't help but laugh at them. The author's hilarious desc...more
Molto ironico e dissacrante
Autore che non conoscevo ed ha un modo di scrivere strepitoso: sembra di avere davanti proprio zia Mame con tutta la sua ironia,senza peli in bocca,che ti strappa, più di una volta, dei sorrisi sulle labbra.
Ho trovato strepitoso le scenette della caccia alla volpe e di quando la zia e il nipote ospitano i sei orfanelli in casa loro.
Zia Mame è una donna che tiene molto a fare una bella figura nella società in cui vive e per questo motivo va incontro a situazioni,quasi a...more
Autore che non conoscevo ed ha un modo di scrivere strepitoso: sembra di avere davanti proprio zia Mame con tutta la sua ironia,senza peli in bocca,che ti strappa, più di una volta, dei sorrisi sulle labbra.
Ho trovato strepitoso le scenette della caccia alla volpe e di quando la zia e il nipote ospitano i sei orfanelli in casa loro.
Zia Mame è una donna che tiene molto a fare una bella figura nella società in cui vive e per questo motivo va incontro a situazioni,quasi a...more
My Thoughts:
I came across this book while I was browsing through the new fiction section in my local library. I was intrigued by the title, it sounded interesting. I checked it out not knowing anything about this book, other than what it is on the back cover.
I started to read as soon as I got home; I new I was going to enjoy this book very much as soon as I finished the first chapter. My favorite part in the first chapter was the meeting between Patrick and his aunt Mame, it was funny. This was...more
I came across this book while I was browsing through the new fiction section in my local library. I was intrigued by the title, it sounded interesting. I checked it out not knowing anything about this book, other than what it is on the back cover.
I started to read as soon as I got home; I new I was going to enjoy this book very much as soon as I finished the first chapter. My favorite part in the first chapter was the meeting between Patrick and his aunt Mame, it was funny. This was...more
Auntie Mame is one of the most dazzling characters I've ever come across in literature. Spreading her charms at the centre of this fictional memoir of a boy orphaned at ten and raised by his rich, eccentric aunt in 1920s New York, Mame is a socialite slightly ahead of her time, who turns her nephew's life into a mad ride of one outrageous adventure chasing the next.
Told in the author's sarcastic, down-to-earth voice, Mame's airy, naively radical ideas and attitudes turn into comedy of the finest...more
Told in the author's sarcastic, down-to-earth voice, Mame's airy, naively radical ideas and attitudes turn into comedy of the finest...more
Madcap is not my favorite genre and madcap this is. In fact, I found it downright silly and formulaic. It was a huge bestseller and ended the year, 1955, at #2 on the bestseller list.
Ten year old Patrick is adopted by his wild and wacky aunt after his father's death. He grows up in a breathless rush of parties and adventures with his aunt among the wealthy, artistic and famous in New York City. Between times he has to go to a drab boarding school because the conservative executor of his estate t...more
Ten year old Patrick is adopted by his wild and wacky aunt after his father's death. He grows up in a breathless rush of parties and adventures with his aunt among the wealthy, artistic and famous in New York City. Between times he has to go to a drab boarding school because the conservative executor of his estate t...more
This book is funny, nostalgic, and downright exciting. I missed the motto of the film ("Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!") in word but it was definitely there in spirit. Dennis has a sly command of the English language that evades most authors. So, one would suppose, that he could do without all the "naughty words" that pop up with a gradual increase through the book. By the time Patrick had registered for college, the situations and vocabulary surpassed the title t...more
Provate a immaginare cosa vi accadrebbe se alla morte di un vostro genitore doveste ritrovarvi con una zia che non conoscete e non sapete che faccia abbia? E' proprio quello che succede a Patrick, il protagonista di questi racconti. Patrick si ritrova sballottato a New York da zia Mame, una zia eccentrica, particolare, che indossa abiti strani e che cambierà la vita di Patrick, nel bene e nel male.
Mi sono divertita tantissimo a leggere le storie di questa zia che trascina il nipote a feste, bal...more
Mi sono divertita tantissimo a leggere le storie di questa zia che trascina il nipote a feste, bal...more
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"I always start writing with a clean paper and a dirty mind" Patrick Dennis
E' difficile scrivere di Zia Mame. L'unico commento che mi viene in mente è che sembra una di quelle adorabili commedie degli anni '50 ambientate a New York, con una protagonista che sa essere, allo stesso tempo, svampita, intelligente, generosa, egocentrica ed indipendente. Una narrazione brillante in cui l'intrattenimento del lettore è prioritario. La struttura episodica su cui si basa la storia suggerisce come la prima...more
E' difficile scrivere di Zia Mame. L'unico commento che mi viene in mente è che sembra una di quelle adorabili commedie degli anni '50 ambientate a New York, con una protagonista che sa essere, allo stesso tempo, svampita, intelligente, generosa, egocentrica ed indipendente. Una narrazione brillante in cui l'intrattenimento del lettore è prioritario. La struttura episodica su cui si basa la storia suggerisce come la prima...more
Sono stata eroica. Mi merito quanto meno una standing ovation perché sono riuscita ad arrivare alla fine.
A mai più rivederci, my darling Edward Everett Tanner III. Lei ed io non siamo proprio fatti per intenderci. Senza rancore, of course.
A mai più rivederci, my darling Edward Everett Tanner III. Lei ed io non siamo proprio fatti per intenderci. Senza rancore, of course.
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“Oh, darling, you know we writers must occasionally stretch a point to heighten the dramatic situation. ”
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“Why darling, I'm your Auntie Mame!”
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