Comic novel from the late 19th century still gives some laughs today
This book was a collaboration between two Grossmith brothers, with Weedon doing the black-and-white illustrations that are included. It was first serialized in the Punch magazine in 1888-89, and then appeared in an extended book form in 1892.
The title gives a good indication of what to expect: the book is about 15 months in the life of Charles Pooter, an ordinary man with an ordinary job as a clerk in London, and recounts his musings about the daily events of his ordinary life. Recurring characters include his wife Carrie, his son William Lupin, and various friends and acquaintances such as Gowing and Cummings.
What elevates it beyond the ordinary is that Pooter has little self-awareness, and you can't help but smile at his cluelessness about himself as he navigates the constant misfortunes of daily life that befall him. He congratulates himself about the jokes he makes that nobody else finds funny, and generally has a sense of self-importance, accomplishment, and success that doesn't correspond to reality. It's this incongruity that is a large source of the humour, and has ensured that this book has become a classic.
Pooter is somewhat pompous, but he is also well-meaning and lovable, largely because we can identify with his humanity even in the midst of all his flaws. I like this description of the Pooters from one literary critic: "Warm, living, breathing, futile, half-baked, incredibly alive and endearing boneheads." Or as a reviewer in 1910 put it: "You laugh at him—at his small absurdities, his droll mishaps, his well-meaning fussiness; but he wins upon you and obtains your affection, and even your admiration, he is so transparently honest, so delightfully and ridiculously human." The book has been described as a whimsical or gentle satire, and that seems about right to me.
Occasionally there are small things that might not make sense to modern readers, but these are few and far between. For the most part, this is a classic that has stood the test of time well, and continues to be loved by many. It's not something I'd rave about, nor is it the kind of comedy that will have you split your gut with laughter. But it is warm, charming, and amusing, and I suspect I might even enjoy it even more the second time around some day.
by EndersGame_Reviewer
1 Comment
Just finished this one too and you nailed it with the “gentle satire” description. Pooter’s complete lack of self-awareness is what makes it work – like when he’s proud of painting the bath with red enamel and thinks everyone should be impressed lol. The fact that we’re still cringing at the same social awkwardness 130+ years later says something about how little human nature has changed