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The Affected Provincial's Companion, Vol. 1
by
A far more civilized, beautiful life now lies within the grasp of your trembling fingertips
Gentle reader: do you tire of the meager offerings set forth by our humdrum age? Do you seek to cultivate blooms of refinement and joy in your life's garden? Lord Whimsy, as befitting his office as "Affected Provincial", humbly offers himself as a guide to those who wish to ...more
Gentle reader: do you tire of the meager offerings set forth by our humdrum age? Do you seek to cultivate blooms of refinement and joy in your life's garden? Lord Whimsy, as befitting his office as "Affected Provincial", humbly offers himself as a guide to those who wish to ...more
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Aug 17, 2012
Laren
marked it as to-read
It may surprise you to learn that Tom Robbins sent me this book several years ago. It is a darling book, and beautifully designed...the cover a shade of green that makes me me think of vintage wallpaper perhaps containing lead...papering a drawing room where elegant toxic cocktails are sipped. I seem to recall him writing about green, in fact,, and all manner of whimsical dandy things, including a beautiful meditation on the Luna Moth....but leaving out Patrick McDonald.
The Affected Provincial's Companion, Vol. 1 Well what can I say about this one without giving too much away? It's a little gem that most people will probably overlook, and others won't have the opportunity to pick up, although they may greatly want to. As stated by other reviewers, don't attempt to read this all in one sitting. An essay a day is the more realistic approach, although even then there comes a point where you'll need a break and something different to get your mind off of it. It's a
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The book started out very humorously, but trying to breeze through it was a mistake. Too much talk of the proper way to fold a pocket square can be overwhelming to the unaffected provincial. Even I can tire of learning the proper bird-catching techniques and about the continuum between being a dandy and other similar forms of humanity. All in all, I'd suggest this as a book to read a few pages at a time, not as a quick weekend read.
I would have given this 3.5 stars if I could, but it's not quite a four. Still, this is a lighthearted, fun and (I think) tongue-in-cheek manual for becoming a modern-day dandy. I loved the first section about the more practical aspects (pocket squares, facial hair, etc.) but the second section bogged down as Whimsy seemed to overreach in trying to construct a theoretical framework for dandyism. That said, thanks to this book, I think I might just be retrosexual.
An amusing and, yes, whimsical, little book. One can't help but admire a man that rides a highwheeled bike around the New Jersey countryside.
"A Bounteous Selection of Essays, Philosophical Diagrams, Poetry, and Other Such Arcadian Follies Concerning the Art of Curious Living and the Reintroduction of Ancient Charm into This Vale of Mud and Tears Known Heretofore as the Modern Life" --NYT
"A Bounteous Selection of Essays, Philosophical Diagrams, Poetry, and Other Such Arcadian Follies Concerning the Art of Curious Living and the Reintroduction of Ancient Charm into This Vale of Mud and Tears Known Heretofore as the Modern Life" --NYT
As unreadable as it is quotable, this book is composed of one to two page short essays that are like literary truffles: delightful if eaten individually, but eating several in one sitting induces nausea.
Tastefully illustrated.
Tastefully illustrated.
Funny in small doses.
Hilarious, tongue-in-cheek, light, airy and a delight.
A total delight! At first I thought this little book would be consumed in a giant gulp, but instead I discovered that it is best sipped slowly, an essay or two at a time.
Oddly endearing and entertaining. Just when you think it's all satire, you'll stumble upon a chapter of unexpected educations. The diagrams are on point.
Fun, weird. There were parts I laughed aloud at and parts I skimmed. Lots of ridiculous advice and a few gems. The satirical format was fun.
The Art of Manliness: Scarlett Pimpernel edition.
The Art of Manliness: Scarlett Pimpernel edition.
Fun, whimsical look at being a modern "dandy".
Hilarious! Find a friend who has a smashing british accent to read this book out loud, and prepare to laugh till your stomach hurts.
Excellent take on dandyism without taking itself too seriously. Worth it just for the sections on boutonnieres, tie knots, pocket squares, and retrosexuals!
Wonderful. Delightful. Charming. As a dandy should be.
Amazing. I want to be like Lord Whimsy. He taught me how to display my pocket squares with flair and panache.
Splendid!
The author is a fine fine man who will discuss any subject with you. The essence of manners and creative culture.
too funny. his class/hipness chart is positively fascinating
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