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31st out of 158 books
—
237 voters
The Poetry and Short Stories of Dorothy Parker (Modern Library)
Hardcover, 457 pages
Published
August 30th 1994
by Modern Library
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The poetry is not only clever and brilliant, it's genius. This is the best poetry in the English language.
All of the short stories are good and several of the short stories achieve greatness. Big Blonde and Glory In The Daytime are a couple of my personal favorites upon first read-through. All of the short stories have some thread of classism connecting them, followed by the themes of gender and relationships and a little bit of racism thrown in for good measure. Sometimes the themes and the sat...more
All of the short stories are good and several of the short stories achieve greatness. Big Blonde and Glory In The Daytime are a couple of my personal favorites upon first read-through. All of the short stories have some thread of classism connecting them, followed by the themes of gender and relationships and a little bit of racism thrown in for good measure. Sometimes the themes and the sat...more
Jul 12, 2008
Tiffany
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves poetry, the 20s, a woman with a sharp tongue!
Shelves:
poetry
I discovered Ms. Parker through the movie starring Bridgette Fonda called Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, I think it was- about the writers who used to meet at the Algonquin Hotel, among whom Dorothy Parker was a fixture/leader. I then re-discovered her thanks to a college poetry class where I had to do a lengthy biography type project on her, and I became fascinated. She led a fascinating, if tragic, life, and her quick wit and sharp tongue show through in much of her writing. Her poetry is...more
I never did like reviewing poetry. I think the experience is a personal one, each word singing to a different part of you at that time in your life. Take for instance this quote of Parker's, "You can take a whore to culture, but you can't make her think." When I was younger I thought it was significant and telling of the women around me, my station in life in total. Now...now I just think the line is funny as hell.
You can see poetry for it's beauty, amused by it's often rhythmic cadence, and ca...more
You can see poetry for it's beauty, amused by it's often rhythmic cadence, and ca...more
Dorothy Parker is one of the most overlooked, underated writers of her era. It is so sad that when I mention her name to someone 9 times out of 10 they only recognize "Men rarely make passes at girls who wear glasses." To reduce a writer of such wit, poetry and great dialogue to one or two sarcastic quotes is truly sad.
Changed my life as a teenager.
I Know I Have Been Happiest
I know I have been happiest by your side
But what’s done is done, an all’s to be
And small the good of lingering dolefully
Gaily it lived, and gallantly it died
I will not make you songs of hearts denied
And you, being man, would have no tears of me
And should I offer you fidelity
You’d be, I think, a little terrified
Yet this need of woman, this her curse
To range her little gifts, and give, and give
Because the throb of giving’s sweet to bear
To yo...more
I Know I Have Been Happiest
I know I have been happiest by your side
But what’s done is done, an all’s to be
And small the good of lingering dolefully
Gaily it lived, and gallantly it died
I will not make you songs of hearts denied
And you, being man, would have no tears of me
And should I offer you fidelity
You’d be, I think, a little terrified
Yet this need of woman, this her curse
To range her little gifts, and give, and give
Because the throb of giving’s sweet to bear
To yo...more
I adore her as a literary figure, and know that her writing doesn't quite live up to her image. I liked the explanation of her limitations in the movie (Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle), basically that she never got over her mother's death and it created a mental and creative block that she could never quite overcome. Makes sense. She herself is a loveably tragic figure, and her poems inspired me to write a decent poem in high school, and goddammit, she helped found the New Yorker, in all its...more
Dorothy Parker is my favorite poet. She was dark and lonely and we've all been there. I would have loved to have sat, just one night, with the Algonquin Round Table. I have always had an appreciation for wordplay and clever wit. When they asked her to use the word horticulture in a sentence she immediately replied, "You can lead a 'whore to culture' but you can't make her think." I read somewhere that she's never made a spelling error or a mistake in sentence structure. I wouldn't want to know h...more
Sharp, witty, and acerbically funny, Dorthy Parker knew how to write a good line. True classics written in her own unique voice that you can almost hear when you read them. Full of gin, bitterness, humor and melancholy, her writings hold an impact without having to be too flowery.
Parker was ahead of her time... there is such beauty, irony and pain in her work. A true example modern American writing, she's not just a "woman" author, but a quintessential American writer, regardless of gender. Fantastic.
For anyone with a dry wit and a sarcastic humor, Dorothy Parker is a must read. Her real life story is incredibly dramatic and ends sadly but the bulk of her work is wonderfully done.
Parker's genius is amply evident in her poetry. Her short stories sometimes miss their mark. No one is perfect, but this collection is damn close.
Mar 19, 2010
Miami University Libraries
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
arianne,
women-s-read-in-2010
King Library (2nd floor) | PS3531 .A5855 A17 1994
Arianne Hartsell-Gundy read selections from this work at 2010 Women's Read-In.
Arianne Hartsell-Gundy read selections from this work at 2010 Women's Read-In.
Dorothy Parker can be hilarious, but I think her work is very uneven. Hence four, instead of five stars.
"three be the things I shall never attain: envy, content, and sufficient champagne." I love this woman.
There are not enough stars for this lady. An amazing writer with an amazing way with words.
any girl who wears glasses or has ever been rejected should read this.... and memorize it.
It's THE amazing Dorothy Parker! Duh! 5 stars! I LOVE DP!! Well written prose, satire and wit!
Jan 18, 2009
JG (The Introverted Reader)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
own,
classics,
fiction,
humor,
poetry,
required_for_school,
anthology,
reviewed,
5_stars,
author_american
Dorothy Parker is so bitterly funny. She just cracks me up.
This book has taken a permanent place on my nightstand.
view 1 comment
My favorite poet. What more can I say?
I don't mind
That her poems rhyme.
That her poems rhyme.
On Martini's is the best.
I liked the poetry, but not so much the short stories
Jan 07, 2011
Rose Raney
added it
Great character studies.
Dorothy Parker is brilliant.
Love DP. One of my heroes.
On my nightstand
I have read this book cover to cover, over and over. I carry it or a version with me at most times. I've passed on copies to those who wish to understand me. Mrs. Parker wrote with the wit that could cut through the most pretentious of subjects. Her musings inspire me as well as comfort me. I am nothing like the author in my writing style. I could only aspire to be. It makes me happy to know that she existed and wrote a few words to prove it.
Rest your soul, you beautiful woman.
Rest your soul, you beautiful woman.
1 like · like · see review
Mar 20, 2013
James
added it
Simply delightful. A true wordsmith. With only a few words, she conveys incredibly complex, yet subtle, human nature.
Dorothy Parker never hesitated to use her sharp wit, and my life is the better for it. If you've never read any of her works, I'll show my favorite small poem by her and hopefully hook you - because it's all worth a read.
'Resume'
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp;
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
'Resume'
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp;
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
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Dorothy Parker was an American writer and poet, best known for her caustic wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles.From a conflicted and unhappy childhood, Parker rose to acclaim, both for her literary output in such venues as The New Yorker and as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table. Following the breakup of the circle, Parker traveled to Hollywood to pursue scree...more
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“tomorrow's gone-we'll have tonight!”
—
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