The Best American Humorous Short Stories

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

10947

Title

The Best American Humorous Short Stories

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Alexander Jessup, this collection showcases the finest American humorous short stories, balancing literary merit with wit. From the frontier sketches of early 19th-century writers to the satirical tales of Edgar Allan Poe and the dialect-rich adventures of Gideon, the volume offers a diverse tapestry of American humor that transcends mere jokes to explore life's foibles with genuine literary force.

Summary up to 500 words

Curated by Alexander Jessup, *The Best American Humorous Short Stories* presents a curated selection of American fiction that successfully blends high literary standards with humor. Jessup explicitly excludes pure joke collections and professional humorists like Josh Billings and Artemus Ward, arguing that while their wit was superior, their works often lacked the structural excellence required of the short story form. Instead, the anthology prioritizes writers who integrate humor into a broader narrative framework, spanning from the early 1800s to the turn of the 20th century. The collection features a diverse array of authors, including Seba Smith, Eliza Leslie, and Edgar Allan Poe. Jessup notes that while Poe's humorous tales sometimes verge on the inane, they demonstrate his mastery of style and structure, a quality he perfected in the modern short story. The volume also includes sentimental sketches by authors like Frances Miriam Whitcher and Augustus Baldwin Longstreet, illustrating the evolution of American humor from simple diversion to incisive satire rooted in life's realities. A standout narrative in the anthology follows Gideon, a former celebrity who, after losing his fame, finds contentment in exile among the swamps of Florida. There, he encounters Vashti, a local girl, leading to a chaotic but joyful romance involving a runaway horse and a leaky boat. This story exemplifies the collection's focus on characters finding fulfillment outside the spotlight. The stories collectively illustrate the development of American humor, moving away from mere caricature toward a deeper engagement with human experience. By selecting works that balance wit with narrative integrity, Jessup demonstrates that the best humor arises not from simple diversion, but from a profound connection to the realities of life, marking a significant step in the history of American literature.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Short Stories
• American Literature