Cobwebs from a Library Corner

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27534

Title

Cobwebs from a Library Corner

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A witty collection of humorous verses and short poems by John Kendrick Bangs, originally published in Harper's magazines. The book satirizes literary pretension, bibliomania, and human folly through clever rhymes and playful observations on books, authors, and everyday life.

Summary up to 500 words

Cobwebs from a Library Corner, a lighthearted verse anthology by John Kendrick Bangs, offers a satirical yet affectionate exploration of the literary world and the quirks of book lovers. Published in 1899, the collection mocks literary affectation while celebrating the enduring charm of literature. Bangs pokes fun at egotistical biographers who center their subjects' lives around themselves, vanity-ridden collectors who hoard unread volumes, and poets struggling with waning muses. Through playful poems like 'Bookworm Ballads,' he imagines a literary feast where classic authors serve as dishes, blending humor with a deep nostalgia for the world of letters. The book also explores themes of wealth, nature, and historical curiosity, often with a twist. In 'Ideas for Sale,' Bangs humorously commodifies creativity, selling 'seeds of thought' to aspiring writers. The tone is consistently genial and ironic, appealing to readers who enjoy wordplay, satire, and a nostalgic look at the late 19th-century literary scene. The collection includes poems like 'The Master's Pen—A Confession,' where Bangs humorously recounts his failed attempt to use Thackeray's actual pen, and 'A Pessimistic View,' which satirizes the ease of modern novel-writing. Other pieces, such as 'The Heroic Gunner,' highlight the absurdity of war anecdotes, while 'The Pathetic Tale of the Caddy Boy' touches on family devotion and loss. Bangs' work remains a delightful reminder of the joy found in books and the wit of those who cherish them.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27534.epub.noimages

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data/epubs/pg27534.epub

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Categories

• Poetry