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16th out of 45 books
—
4 voters
Paperweight
by
Stephen Fry
A hilarious collection of the many articles written by Stephen Fry for magazines, newspapers and radio. It includes selected wireless essays of Donald Trefusis, the ageing professor of philology brought to life in Fry's novel The Liar, and the best of Fry's weekly column for the Daily Telegraph.
Perfect to dip into but just as enjoyable to read cover to cover, this book, pe...more
Perfect to dip into but just as enjoyable to read cover to cover, this book, pe...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
August 5th 2004
by Arrow
(first published 1992)
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"We live in dangerous, uncertain times. Dame War, her mean, pinched features cracking into a ghastly smile, threatens to enGulf us in a molten river of desolation and ruin ... That surly footpad, Recession, rubs his brutal blue beard-line threateningly between finger and thumb and leers down with grim delight at the prospect of poverty, squalor and homelessness. At such a time it's good to know that people are coming up with television advertisements for Carefree Panty-Shields and Intimate Wipes...more
A collection of Fry's writing in various forms, from radio scripts to columns in The Spectator and Telegraph.
Whilst some of it seems dated nowadays, it is still a superb account of the period before Fry became the 'Prince of Twitter', and contains some wonderful, intelligent pieces on anything from Wimbledon to masturbation. For me though, it is when Fry's gaze turns to the art of word-craft that this book becomes most enjoyable.
Unseemly as it may be, this has been the only permanent feature of...more
Whilst some of it seems dated nowadays, it is still a superb account of the period before Fry became the 'Prince of Twitter', and contains some wonderful, intelligent pieces on anything from Wimbledon to masturbation. For me though, it is when Fry's gaze turns to the art of word-craft that this book becomes most enjoyable.
Unseemly as it may be, this has been the only permanent feature of...more
Mar 21, 2012
Sam Denney
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of Stephen Fry, toilet readers
A lovely collection of Stephen Fry's various writings; piece after piece, mostly monologues, reviews and old newspaper columns, with a short story and a play thrown in for good measure. Most of the selections are 3 or 4 pages long, perfect little morsels usually tied around a particular idea or event. With such a wide selection of material, it's reasonable to expect a few duds to slip through. In fact, I was surprised by how little of the book felt like filler. Great writing or simple good selec...more
While I truly enjoyed reading this book, I closed it knowing that I would never feel the urge to read it again. (Unlike most of Mr. Fry's other books, which I keep around like a circle of old friends.) It is indeed a dense and somewhat-dated read, and as an American of a certain age, I found it difficult to engage with, in spots.
If I were a Briton of a different certain age, it might be an entirely different story. Of course, if I were a Briton of a different certain age, most things would be an...more
If I were a Briton of a different certain age, it might be an entirely different story. Of course, if I were a Briton of a different certain age, most things would be an...more
A handsome volume of Stephen Fry's journalism from the eighties (and nineties? I forget.) My only beef is that a lot of the columns concern topics that, as an American living in 2009, aren't at all relevant. I found myself reading this book for the sake of Stephen's prose, not because the content particularly engaged me. I skipped the Trefusis columns entirely. Overall, though, it's a book I'm not sorry to have read. Stephen delivers every time.
Aug 02, 2011
Caroline
added it
This is a "pick it up, put it down" kind of book... a collection of essays, articles and transcripts on a wide variety of topics. I enjoyed it - Stephen is always impressive in his command of english, and his eloquence when passionate. But I like "Moab" a lot more, to be honest.
The articles for 'The Listener' are the best half of the book, in my opinion. The Postcards From America by Donald Trefusis (Emeritus Professor of Philology and Fellow of St. Matthew's College, Cambridge) are probably some of the funniest lines of prose I've ever read. "You can imagine my excitement. To be here, as a Professor of Philology, sitting right next to the most fascinating fricative I have ever heard", is just one example taken from pages of comedic genius.
I couldn't get on with 'The...more
I couldn't get on with 'The...more
It took me a long time to get through this book, partially because I was only reading it while at lunch at work, but mostly because Stephen Fry is a very verbose writer. All the articles were good, though, and the play a bit odd.
Very, very, VERY funny. Especially the line, "I must now go and visit my chiropractor, my back and buttocks have been giving me problems and he leaves no stern untoned". Extremely witty.
Everything he said twenty years ago is still true. Makes on think.
Oh, and my favourite one is the one about the sock. So recognisable.
Oh, and my favourite one is the one about the sock. So recognisable.
Clssic Fry, wry, witty, self-deprecating but erudite underneath it all. A delicious basket of niblets for snacky read cravings.
a good collection of fry's literary wit. short articles make it easy to read in short intervals of life...
Dec 20, 2008
Brian Steed
added it
I love the way Fry writes and thinks. A renaissance man among celebrities.
A wonderful collection from a person who in my estimation is one of the most brilliant contemporaries today.
Interesting, insightful, intriguing.
I can't read this without a dictionary.
A highly amusing collection of Stephen Fry's whimsical musings for newspapers during the 1980's. I read it in fits and starts around other things over the course of several months much as the introductory note advises. I feel this negated over-familiarity with the material and kept it interesting given that there is no overarching narrative driving the 450+ pages.
Apr 17, 2012
Admatha
added it
I refuse to rate this one because it just "wasn't for me". I couldn't get into this book and unfortunately returned it without finishing it - but I suspect the age and culture gap separating me from said articles is the problem here, not the book.
I have really loved some of the insights from this book. Some things are a little too far to the left, as far as I am concerned. He has a problem with organized religion, but otherwise it has been hilarious at times, and extremely thought provoking at others. He admits that most of the chapters are short enough to be read in the bathroom, depending on the "health of one's bowels" (!)
Feb 24, 2008
Tim
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes some intelligent reading
Recommended to Tim by:
Me!
Brilliant writing style in his pieces for the Listener and other publications, witty, well informed and startlingly thought-provoking.
The radio transcripts are a little less accessible, but still absolutely excellent. He even includes a play he wrote aged about 22, which is superb and really quite original - best seen live I'm sure though, of course.
A quite fantastic book.
The radio transcripts are a little less accessible, but still absolutely excellent. He even includes a play he wrote aged about 22, which is superb and really quite original - best seen live I'm sure though, of course.
A quite fantastic book.
Ah, I'm not sure if I'm ever going to finish this - it's a bit of a mish-mash of columns and random audio stuff. I think some of the humour is a bit linked to the time and society, and therefore lost on me.
***
Nope, didn't end up finishing it - racked up some late fines at the library, and ending up returning it while about halfway through.
***
Nope, didn't end up finishing it - racked up some late fines at the library, and ending up returning it while about halfway through.
The introduction to this volume is marvellous, in true Fry style. A marvellous collection of articles can be found within its pages, which can keep every fan of his work entertained for days upon end. A great variety of subjects have been studied here, and it doesn't feel repetitive at any point. It is also incredibly funny.
view all 4 comments
A book compiled from various sources of Stephen Fry's articles or radio appearences.
read in a pick and choose style not start to finsh.
the short Sherlock Holmes story he has written and is included, is very much in the spirit of the origional A C D stories and tho brief is quiet good! more of this please!
read in a pick and choose style not start to finsh.
the short Sherlock Holmes story he has written and is included, is very much in the spirit of the origional A C D stories and tho brief is quiet good! more of this please!
He touches upon a few subjects that are very important to me. Namely the injustices of society when labeling something 'unpatriotic' or the hypocrisy of 'family values', but at the same time he somehow manages to restore my faith in the general good in people.
A real pleasure to read. Mr. Fry has quite a command of the language, many honest insights and wit to spare. I'll be reading more by him in the future.
Hilarisch. Afijn: voor de liefhebbers natuurlijk... Stephen Fry op zijn erudiete best - om mee te lachen dus.
Habe ich aufgegeben. Ich liebe Stephen Fry, aber hier fehlt mir etwas der Background und die Relevanz der Stories. In ein paar Jahren versuche ich es mal wieder... Mit mehr Lebenserfahrung. ;)
Perfect for bathroom or restaurant perusal, though people may think you are strange for laughing out loud on the john or at a sandwich shop.
Delightful. Bought in Beijing for $1.25.
Mar 26, 2008
Lyndsey
is currently reading it
A collection of transcripts from Fry's comedy shows. As the title implies, a good book to have lying around as a paperweight - or in a bathroom.
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Stephen John Fry is an English comedian, writer, actor, humourist, novelist, poet, columnist, filmmaker, television personality and technophile. As one half of the Fry and Laurie double act with his comedy partner, Hugh Laurie, he has appeared in A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. He is also famous for his roles in Blackadder and Wilde, and as the host of QI. In addition to writing fo...more
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“If I had a large amount of money I should certainly found a hospital for those whose grip upon the world is so tenuous that they can be severely offended by words and phrases and yet remain all unoffended by the injustice, violence and oppression that howls daily about our ears.”
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180 people liked it
“Parent power is not a sign of democracy, it is a sign of barbarism. We are to regard education as a service industry, like a laundry, parents are the customers, teachers the washers, children the dirty linen. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. And what in the name of boiling hell do parents know about education? How many educated people are there in the world? I could name seventeen or eighteen.”
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