The Faber Book of Useful Verse

by Simon Brett

Light-hearted selections from world literature give advice on such subjects as love, medicine, raising children, and cooking

Genres: Poetry, Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Simon Brett is a prolific British writer of whodunnits.

He is the son of a Chartered Surveyor and was educated at Dulwich College and Wadham College, Oxford, where he got a first class honours degree in English.

He then joined the BBC as a trainee and worked for BBC Radio and London Weekend Television, where his work included 'Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy' and 'Frank Muir Goes Into ...'.

After his spells with the media he began devoting most of his time to writing from the late 1970s and is well known for his various series of crime novels.

He is married with three children and lives in Burpham, near Arundel, West Sussex, England. He is the current president of the Detection Club.

Reviews

[Gavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amusing mnemonics and proverbs, mostly from ancients and Victorians. Includes a canto explaining exactly how James Watt’s steam engine was different and several songs to remember the list of English monarchs and US presidencies, etc.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little thing. Some choices are perhaps too long to be “useful”, but a pleasure on the whole.

[^ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A highly amusing anthology. Contributing writers stretch from the 8th century BC to Tom Lehrer (born 1928.

A rhyme for remembering the Date of Easter:

No need for confusion if we but recall
That Easter on the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox doth fall

[Justin Richardson 1899-1975]

It does 'exactly what it says on the tin'. Chapter 6: "Useful for those contemplating Matrimony" is particularly and delightfully useful

[Stephanie Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated but still amusing.