Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary is a satirical dictionary written by American Civil War soldier, journalist, and writer Ambrose Bierce consisting of common words followed by humorous and satirical definitions. The lexicon was written over three decades as a series of installments for magazines and newspapers. Bierce's witty definitions were imitated and plagiarized for years before he gathered them into books, first as The Cynic's Word Book in 1906 and then in a more complete version as The Devil's Dictionary in 1911.

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842 – circa 1914 was an American short story writer, journalist, poet, and Civil War veteran. His book The Devil's Dictionary was named as one of "The 100 Greatest Masterpieces of American Literature"

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/972/9...

It is a masterpiece of world literature. I have it on my tablet, and read it when I go out. The dictionary format is ideal for dipping into.

But poor Ambrose, I suspect the plagiarism must have made him even more cynical than he was before. But plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery.

This book sounds really interesting, and I hope to jump into it this month with the group.

This is a book you can read in bits and pieces.

This should be fun! I have it on my tablet too.

I’ve got this on my tablet and will be reading it too, I don’t think mines the unabridged version, but it’s a start.

I have the version that's available as an ebook as well.

Bierce is my mentor for my sense of humour.

Favorites so far:

Apologize, To lay the foundation for a future offence.

Cabbage: A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man's head.

Diamonds of definition!

Head’s up! This title is available on hoopla, for those who have access to that. Do be careful. There are multiple editions available. Only one is the unabridged!

Congratulations Samantha on your new title.

Samantha wrote: "Head’s up! This title is available on hoopla, for those who have access to that. Do be careful. There are multiple editions available. Only one is the unabridged!"

I can’t get hold of the unabridged one without paying a ridiculous price for it at the minute so I’m reading the free abridged version from Gutenberg, I hope that’s ok. I don’t have hoopla unfortunately.

Thank you, Bernard!

Georgina, no one expects you to pay an exorbitant amount to access a monthly group read. If you’re fine with abridged, of course the group is fine with it. Even those who normally get their group reads from the library might be having trouble right now, as libraries are just beginning to reopen, and interlibrary loan offices are not all functioning yet.

I am reading the version I have on my ipad, as part of the complete works of the author. So far it's fine.

A free version of The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary is available on-line in PDF format.

I have finished the B's:

Blank-verse, n. Unrhymed iambic pentameters-the most difficult kind of English verse to write acceptably; a kind, therefore, much affected by those who cannot acceptably write any kind.

Bore, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen.

Sounds like this will be a fun read. Great, because I could use some happy distractions right now.

My Definition of the Day:

ACCORDION, n. An instrument in harmony with the sentiments of an assassin.

It's too bad he doesn't have a definition for bagpipes.

I'm laughing over both of your comments, Bernard and Rosemarie!

The bagpipes is not my favourite instrument, but it does have its place, like for Burns Night.

I haven’t started this yet but can attest that the accordion is very appreciated in Cajun culture.

I'm German-accordions are used often for polkas! And I do like bagpipes.
The town where my husband grew up in Ontario, Kincardine, has a pipe band parade down the main street on Saturdays during the tourist season in July and August. The person playing the big drum always seems to be having the most fun.

Impartial, adj. Unable to perceive any promise of personal advantage from espousing either side of a controversy or adopting either of two conflicting opinions.

Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.

War, n. A by-product of the arts of peace. (Sadly)

Rosemarie wrote: "War, n. A by-product of the arts of peace. (Sadly)"

Indeed. But fortunately the arts of peace have sometimes met with success.

Grave, n. A place in which the dead are laid to await the coming of the medical student

Habit, n. A Shackle for the free

Prevaricator, n. A liar in the caterpillar state

Kathy wrote: "Grave, n. A place in which the dead are laid to await the coming of the medical student..."

That's almost funny!

Lesle wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Grave, n. A place in which the dead are laid to await the coming of the medical student..."

That's almost funny!"

It IS funny as black humour. Fortunately that reprehensible practice is not so common now. RLS wrote a story about it which made even him feel queasy.

Hello
Happy Birthday Ambrose Bierce!
It was very interesting for me to read the book Devil's Dictionary .
I became acquainted with the character of Ambrose Bierce through the novel "The Old Gringo".
About a month ago, I saw this fascinating movie in quarantine conditions:
The Old Gringo
In the first scene of the film, the character of Ambrose Bierce is really impressive.

Thanks for sharing that interesting information.

Ambrose Bierce wrote a number of short story collection, including ghost stories.

His most famous story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is often studied in schools. In fact, I remember this story from way back when, but couldn't remember the title.
About a year ago I purchased his collected works as an ebook and recognized it right away as I started reading it-but now I know the title too.

He was a masterful writer.

I first saw An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge on The Twilight Zone, and I have the story in one of my books. It's excellent.

I forgot I read The Devil's Dictionary before. Nice to revisit it :)