Fifty "Bab" Ballads: Much Sound and Little Sense

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gilbert, W. S. (William Schwenck), 1836-1911.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Fifty 'Bab' Ballads: Much Sound and Little Sense" by W. S. Gilbert is a collection of humorous poetry written in the late 19th century. The work showcases Gilbert's wit and mastery of light verse through a series of whimsical ballads that often touch on absurdities of everyday life and social conventions, filled with clever wordplay and satirical commentary. The opening of the collection introduces readers to Gilbert's playful style and sets a lighthearted tone. It begins with a reflection on the origins of the ballads, mentioning their initial publication in the satirical magazine "FUN." The first few ballads present humorous narratives, such as the endearing yet comical Captain Reece and the contrasting nature of curates, as they navigate the quirks of their lives. The characters are vividly portrayed with exaggerated traits that serve to amplify the absurdity of their situations, inviting readers into a world of playful satire and rhythmic storytelling. These elements suggest that the collection will be both entertaining and thought-provoking, appealing to those who appreciate clever humor and social commentary. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Transcribed from the 1884 George Routledge and Sons editions by David Price

Notes:

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bab_Ballads

Reading ease score: 77.4 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.

Release date is 1996-12-01