Literary Humor

Tutto comincia ad Asti, al numero 33 di corso Torino: è lì che nasce, "bambino fatto in casa", Giorgio Faletti. Sono passati 62 anni, che lui ha impiegato facendo il comico, il musicista, l'attore, il pittore, e naturalmente lo scrittore. Scorrendo l'elenco delle sue imprese (e parliamo solo di quelle professionali) sembra che Giorgio Faletti abbia vissuto mille vite. Di sicuro, scopriamo leggendo il suo nuovo libro, ne ha vissute due: "Quando" e "Ora" sono le prime due sezioni che compongono questa autobiografia fatta di musica e parole.

Why, oh why, did Anne Marie Whitehall take her own life, swallowing away her pain and her grief with a handful of Nembutal capsules and a bottle of Merlot? Does Samantha Jacobs, the red-haired vixen grinding away on a pole at the Revue know? Or perhaps Deena Cook, harried mother of four and a regular visitor at Children's Services?

When Samuel, a lonely linguistics lecturer, wakes up on New Year’s Day, he is convinced that the year ahead will bring nothing more than passive verbs and un-italicized moments - until an unexpected visitor slips into his Barcelona apartment and refuses to leave. The appearance of Mishima, a stray, brindle-furred cat, becomes the catalyst that leads Samuel from the comforts of his favorite books, foreign films, and classical music to places he’s never been (next door) and to people he might never have met (a neighbor with whom he’s never exchanged a word).

In his previous collection, Not Quite so Stories, David S. Atkinson twisted reality with small absurdities. Roses Are Red, Violets Are Stealing Loose Change from My Pockets While I Sleep leaves sanity completely behind, pondering modern life through surreal humorous flash fiction involving Margaret Thatcher, jam appearing in boxers overnight, Gene Roddenberry, and more.

While transporting a woman to an insane asylum, Deputy Kopp discovers something deeply troubling about her story. Before she can investigate, another inmate bound for the asylum breaks free and tries to escape. In both cases, Constance runs instinctively toward justice. But the fall of 1916 is a high-stakes election year, and any move she makes could jeopardize Sheriff Heath's future - and her own. Although Constance is not on the ballot, her controversial career makes her the target of political attacks.

Calling Major Tom is a funny, uplifting tale of friendship and community about a man who has given up on the world...but discovers in the most unlikely way that it might not have given up on him. We all know someone like Thomas. The grumpy next-door neighbour who complains to the residents' committee about the state of your front lawn. The man who tuts when you don't have the correct change at the checkout. The colleague who sends an all-company email when you accidentally use the last drop of milk.

Even though retirement is still three years away, Al Richardson is counting the days. He anticipates many enjoyable years in which every day feels like Saturday. But Al's wife, Millie, has different plans for their retirement. When she learns that a Victorian-era home is up for sale, Millie launches a full-blown campaign to convince Al that god's plan for them is to turn that house into a B&B. But a B&B won't be the only change for the small Kentucky town.

Drôle comme une comédie, tendu comme un thriller, mordant comme un pamphlet : le retour de la patte Dieudonné ! Une station-service, une nuit d'été, dans les Ardennes. Sous la lumière crue des néons, ils sont douze à se trouver là, en compagnie d'un cheval et d'un macchabée. Juliette, la caissière, et son collègue Sébastien, marié à Mauricio. Alika, la nounou philippine, Chelly, prof de pole dance, Joseph, représentant en acariens... Il est 23h12. Dans une minute tout va basculer.

"Humor ist eine ernste Sache". Dieses Zitat stammt von der Schauspielerin und Synchronsprecherin Evelyn Hamann (1942-2007). Was steckt hinter dieser Äußerung? Der Autor Paul Schaaf hat sich hierüber schon 1957 Gedanken gemacht. In diesem Dialog betrachten die Sprecher Horst Beilke und Kurt Lieck das Thema "Humor" von allen Seiten: lustig, komisch, zynisch, ernst. Ein Genuss für jeden Zuhörer. Dr. phil. Paul Schaaf (1897-1967) war ein deutscher Schriftsteller und Germanist. Er schrieb Manuskripte für Hörfunksendungen und war im Verlagswesen tätig.

Die Farbe der Worte - die Poesie der Bilder: Rafik Schamis Geschichten über Menschen mit großen und kleinen Sehnsüchten...

In Englander's amazingly taut and ambitious "The Twenty-seventh Man," a clerical error lands earnest, unpublished Pinchas Pelovits in prison with twenty-six writers slated for execution at Stalin's command, and in the grip of torture Pinchas composes a mini-masterpiece, which he recites in one glorious moment before author and audience are simultaneously annihilated. In "The Gilgul of Park Avenue," a Protestant has a religious awakening in the back of a New York taxi.

This short story is the perfect introduction to best-selling author Virginia Smith's latest series, Tales from the Goose Creek B&B. Set in the years before the Richardsons launch their bed and breakfast scheme, the quirky residents of the small Kentucky town are all in a tizzy over the upcoming Fall Festival. Alison, Al and Millie's headstrong daughter, astounds everyone with the news that she's getting married - in three weeks - to a Colombian!

Now the Congress of Animals is in control, unforgiving, and debating the fate of the planet’s most reviled species. The popular ruling: Exterminate humankind without exception. But a curious mare, coming of age, is making a case for a seemingly gentle person she longs to save - a wish for mercy that could once again unbalance the new and righteous nature of the world.

My ex-wife, what a monster! She can destroy, even devour, entire cities! Will anyone stop her? Maybe, the Jolly White Giant, Sihrc, can do it!

"The problem with political jokes is they get elected." Let's look at some of the best and the brightest (funniest) moments in our recent political and social history, quotes from the leaders that we so look up to and admire, and even a few celebrities. Why do we give them our undying attention, faith, and hope? Why not pay closer attention to who we're letting speak for and guide us?

Hear two hilarious but improbable letters, one from a very fed-up cat writing to her owner; the second, from a very worn-out husband who's tired of his wife and looking for some semblance of peace.