Stephen Leacock (1869–1944)

Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is a delightful read by Stephen Leacock.

I had to read this for a Canadian Literature class, and my gosh is it such a gem! It's one of those historical books I had never even heard of, yet it is such a staple for Canadian culture. Hilarity and hypocrisy ensues in this book, and it's just overall amazing. I'm truly impressed and want to pick up more by this comedic genius.

This collection of stories follows the city of Mariposa and its wacky and unusual residents. Politics, romance and business all intertwine and make this book one joyful ride.

There's lots of sarcasm, irony and satire hidden among this book. The descriptions of Mariposa also prove to be stunning beautiful and absolutely hilarious. Yes, indeed if you have seen one Canadian city, you have seen them all!

If you're looking for a little satire with a lot of Canadian wit and culture among it, grab this book. It's also a very positive book, shockingly. It doesn't make you feel negative or disgusted at the town of Mariposa. It's a book you're going to chuckle at. Enjoy the positivity - we need it during times like these.

Five out of five stars.… (more)

A collection of short pieces Contents: The Secrets of Success; The Human Mind Up to Date; The Human Body: Its Care and Prevention; The Perfect Salesman; Romances of Business; The Perfect Lover's Guide; The Progress of Human Knowledge; Glimpses of the Future in America; My Unposted Correspondence; Letters to the New Rulers of the World. This collection does not contain any of Leacock's classics, but is an enjoyable read, and a reminder that this Canadian was the English speaking world's favourite humourist in the 1920's.… (more)

This was Stephen Leacock’s last collection of essays, published posthumously with an introduction by his niece. It was easily my least favourite of his books so far. I was not impressed by the first essay, “Are Witty Women Attractive to Men?” (Spoiler alert: he does not think so.) Unfortunately, one cannot come to Stephen Leacock for nuanced discussion of gender roles. The introduction to this collection claims that he did think women should be paid properly for raising children and running the household, but he was less keen on women breaking the traditional gender roles. So that was a miss. I also, as a 21st-century reader, did not appreciate the essay about the British empire, especially when it talked about western Canada being “empty” until 1870. NO IT WASN’T, THERE WERE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THERE FIRST!!! For me, Leacock is at his best when riffing on or parodying fiction, such as the essay “Living with Murder”, where Leacock obsessively times every little aspect of a dinner with a friend in case the friend is murdered and Leacock has to make an account of his whereabouts.

If you’re interested in Leacock’s work, Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town is absolutely the way to go. Last Leaves can be left on the shelf.… (more)