I am always glad to find another fan of Paul Jennings. I love his whimsical pieces. I wonder if they can be found in the Observer archive. I have a couple of the books.
I was thinking of buying those old books where they are still available on Amazon. I agree with you about the whimsical nature of his writing. Of historical value too: there's one called Euston Sleepers that mentions the huge arch, which is no longer there.
I didn't realize he was so prolific. When I started putting things up on the internet (around 1998/9), I put up a copy of "Galoshlessness is foolishness when sharply slants the sleet" and later, a copy of Resistentialism, but I don't think the Wikipedia page existed back then.
I decided to buy the only copy I came across, thanks for the reminder. Some of the articles are also in the golden oldies book, but i. Looking forward to reading the rest. 😁
Thanks, Paul. Yes, I'd forgotten about that.i have another collection called Golden Oddlies, sadly out of print now. Are you a Jennings fan as well then?
Thanks Drew. I must reacquaint myself with resisentialism. I liked money back and the loss force. I haven't read the cats ones yet. I've never been convinced that Harblow actually existed! I'd but the whole set if I discovered them. They used to be in my local library too (Hammersmith)!
Oh, this is brilliant, Terry!
Reading "thirsk n. A desire for vodka" has given me hiccups. That'll teach me to read your stuff (or indeed Jennings' stuff) while drinking tea.... 🤣
I am always glad to find another fan of Paul Jennings. I love his whimsical pieces. I wonder if they can be found in the Observer archive. I have a couple of the books.
I think you're only the second person I've come across who remembers him!
The archive has promising results, but requires a subscription
https://theguardian.newspapers.com/search/?query=%22paul%20jennings%22
I was going to say, his columns are still available in the Observer archives, which are behind a paywall. Which of his books do you have?
I have "I said Oddly Diddly" and "The Jenguin Pennings".
I had an ex whose dad was a big fan, so consequently the ex was, too, and I became a fan.
I was thinking of buying those old books where they are still available on Amazon. I agree with you about the whimsical nature of his writing. Of historical value too: there's one called Euston Sleepers that mentions the huge arch, which is no longer there.
I just went to check and I have Oddly Bodlikins and The Jenguin Pennings (which has Galoshes and Report on Resistentialism).
One of the pieces is now relevant again, as it is about the coronation
Oh really? Gosh 😃
And the Wikipedia page has a full bibliography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Jennings_(British_author)
Thanks, Yvonne.Yes, I've seen this before.
I didn't realize he was so prolific. When I started putting things up on the internet (around 1998/9), I put up a copy of "Galoshlessness is foolishness when sharply slants the sleet" and later, a copy of Resistentialism, but I don't think the Wikipedia page existed back then.
Thankfully the Spectator archive is not paywalled
http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/23rd-april-1948/11/report-on-resistentialism-h-atred-of-ones-father-a
PS thanks for the speccy link
I don't think so either!
Yes, he wrote a column every week I think, for years (called Oddly Enough). Marvellous stuff
There is also a Penguin anthology, called "The Jenguin Pennings", not hard to find secondhand.
I decided to buy the only copy I came across, thanks for the reminder. Some of the articles are also in the golden oldies book, but i. Looking forward to reading the rest. 😁
Thanks, Paul. Yes, I'd forgotten about that.i have another collection called Golden Oddlies, sadly out of print now. Are you a Jennings fan as well then?
FYI Many copies of Paul Jennings' Golden Oddlies and the Jenguin Pennings are available on ABEbooks.com
Thanks Sharron. I'd forgotten about abe books
Thanks Drew. I must reacquaint myself with resisentialism. I liked money back and the loss force. I haven't read the cats ones yet. I've never been convinced that Harblow actually existed! I'd but the whole set if I discovered them. They used to be in my local library too (Hammersmith)!