Ogden Nash: The Life and Work of America's Laureate of Light Verse

by Douglas M. Parker, Dana Gioia (Foreword by)

His keen grasp of human nature and a unique style of verse made Ogden Nash, in the mid-twentieth century, the most widely read and frequently quoted poet of his time. For years, readers have longed for a biography to match Nash's charm, wit, and good nature; now we have it in Douglas Parker's absorbing and delightful life of the poet. Intelligent, informative, and engaging.... There is no comparable study not only of Nash's life but also of the role that poetry, especially comic verse, played in modern American literary culture.... A story long overdue in the telling. -Dana Gioia

Genres: Biography, Poetry, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2005

Reviews

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was delighted to find this book. Rather than quoting Nash's verse at length, Parker uses quotes quite judiciously to illustrate various points he's making. This made me want to read more of Nash's collections, which I feel is an indicator of a good biography.
I thought the book was well-paced and engaging.

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK biography of New Yorker poet Nash, famous for Candy/is Dandy/But liquor/is Quicker and other short poems of whimsy and poignant humor. Nash, of patrician lineage and noblesse oblige leanings, actually has family roots in Hillsborough, NC (I knew that was a snooty place), but for all that seems like a decent guy..

[Kaci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love biographies...I need to read more of them. I purchased this book for my library to accompany the 7th grade poet biography project. It is a little lengthy for a junior high reference book, but it made for a fascinating read into the life of a truly gifted and humble man.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked that this was organized, not simply chronologically, but by different aspects of Nash's work.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Nonetheless the townhouse was comfortable and cheery. It had three bedrooms, one of which Nash used for an office; another served as a guest room for grandchildren (or, as Nash put it, 'the touring midgets.')."