The Old Soak and Hail and Farewell

by Don Marquis, Sterling Patterson (Illustrator)

The Old Soak and Hail and Farewell is a collection of two novellas written by American author, Don Marquis. The first novella, The Old Soak, is a humorous and heartwarming story about a lovable drunkard named Archibald ""The Old Soak"" Mulliner. The story follows The Old Soak as he navigates his way through life, occasionally sobering up long enough to have a few moments of clarity and insight. Despite his flaws, The Old Soak is a sympathetic character who readers will find themselves rooting for.The second novella, Hail and Farewell, is a more serious and introspective story about a man named John Barton who is dying of tuberculosis. The story is told through a series of letters that John writes to his friends and loved ones as he comes to terms with his mortality. Through these letters, John reflects on his life, his regrets, and his hopes for the future. Despite the heavy subject matter, Hail and Farewell is a beautifully written and poignant story that will resonate with readers.Overall, The Old Soak and Hail and Farewell is a wonderful collection of two very different but equally compelling novellas. Don Marquis' writing is both witty and insightful, and his characters are vividly drawn and full of life. This book is a must-read for fans of classic American literature.1921. The Old Soak is a character created by Marquis, American newspaperman and humorist, who is an uninhibited enemy of prohibition. Marquis's most memorable writings are his stories and verses about Archy and Mehitabel. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

156 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Donald Robert Perry "Don" Marquis was a newspaper columnist as well as a playwright, novelist, and poet, best known for his "Archy and Mehitabel" free verse and his "Old Soak" anti-Prohibition play.

Reviews

[Jacob Kiper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 1921, The Old Soak is a humorous diary accounting of a good ol’ drunk who talks about what life was like before Prohibition. In the second portion, The Old Soak gives us a history of the world from his recollection.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Lord, I love this book. An extended grumble, with illicit tippling. Set 'em up, Ed. And hold the garbage.

[Sem · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book.