The Book of Nonsense

Enriched edition.By Edward Lear
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length1h 23m

About this audiobook

In "The Book of Nonsense," Edward Lear delves into the whimsical realm of nonsense literature, presenting a compilation of humorous limericks accompanied by Lear's own playful illustrations. His work shatters the confines of conventional storytelling, employing absurdity and illogical sequences to captivate both children and adults. Each poem is characterized by its rhythmic structure and rhyme schemes that invite readers to explore a fantastical world where logic is defied, ultimately reflecting the Victorian fascination with lighthearted absurdity as a counterpoint to the era's rigid moral values. Edward Lear, a pivotal figure in the literary landscape of the 19th century, was profoundly moved by the experiences of his childhood and the profound solitude of his adult life, which are echoed in his creative expressions. His role as a painter and illustrator fostered in him a unique understanding of visual storytelling, merging art with language to enhance the enchanting qualities of his nonsense verse. His travels across Europe and contact with the burgeoning literary traditions of his time undoubtedly informed his imaginative inclinations. "The Book of Nonsense" is a delightful invitation to experience the joy of language and the boundless possibilities of the imagination. Readers of all ages are encouraged to indulge in Lear's playful verse as it inspires creativity and laughter, making it a timeless treasure within the pantheon of children's literature. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions. - The Author Biography highlights personal milestones and literary influences that shape the entire body of writing. - A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation. - A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists. - A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths. - Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts. - Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.

Audiobook details

Rating★★★★ 4.1 (1.7K)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing
GenrePoetry
Length1 hr 23 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 28, 2022
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Introduction
5The Book of Nonsense
2Author Biography
6Analysis
3Historical Context
7Reflection
4Synopsis (Selection)
8Memorable Quotes

More from Edward Lear

Saundarya LahariUnknown Author3h 16m4.6 (256)$18 · $0.00
The Mesnevi (Annotated)Maulana Jalal al-Din Rumi18h 41m4.5 (4.2K)$2 · $0.00
Songs of a SourdoughRobert W. Service2h 13m4.5 (13.6K)$1 · $0.00
Little Flower of Jesus (Annotated)Thérèse of Lisieux5h 4m4.5 (1.4K)$1.99 · $0.00
The Poems of LeopardiGiacomo Leopardi3h 9m4.5 (3.6K)$2 · $0.00
Nikki Giovanni: Love Poems & A Good CryNikki Giovanni2h 44m4.6 (405)$18 · $0.00
The Complete Poetry of Walt Whitman (Annotated)Walt Whitman19h 58m4.5 (4.2K)$1.99 · $0.00
A Year with RumiColeman Barks5h 56m4.5 (2.6K)$24 · $0.00
Complete Poetry of Rudyard Kipling (Annotated)Rudyard Kipling22h 50m4.5 (2.6K)$3.99 · $0.00
The Complete PoemsPaul Laurence Dunbar12h 40m4.5 (1.5K)$21 · $0.00
The Odes of John Keats - Complete CollectionJohn Keats22h 16m4.5 (1.3K)$1 · $0.00
SonnetsWilliam Shakespeare2h 39m4.4 (128.3K)$3 · $0.00
PoemsEdna St. Vincent Millay2h 39m4.5 (1.3K)$2 · $0.00
PoemsW. B. Yeats5h 6m4.4 (46.9K)$1 · $0.00
Metamorphoses (Annotated)Ovid28h 37m4.3 (80.8K)$2 · $0.00
THE FLOWERS OF EVILCharles Baudelaire2h 28m4.3 (94.6K)$1.99 · $0.00
A Book of Strife in the Form of The Diary of an Old SoulGeorge MacDonald2h 9m4.4 (839)$2 · $0.00
Paradise Lost + Paradise Regained (2 Unabridged Classics + Original Illustrations by Gustave Doré) (Annotated)John Milton11h 56m4.4 (2.2K)$3 · $0.00
The Ballad of the White HorseG. K. Chesterton2h 43m4.4 (3.8K)$1.20 · $0.00
PORPHYRIA'S LOVERRobert Browning7h 52m4.3 (3K)$1.99 · $0.00

You may also like

The Book of NonsenseEdward Lear1h 48m3.8 (3.8K)$1 · $0.00
Cautionary Tales for ChildrenHilaire Belloc19m4.3 (8.9K)$2.30
Cautionary Tales for Children (Illustrated) (Annotated)Basil Temple Blackwood1h 11m4.2 (12.5K)$1.99 · $0.00
The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll With All the Original Illustrations + The Life and Letters of Lewis Carroll (Annotated)Lewis Carroll46h 34m4.5 (2.3K)$2 · $0.00
Cajun Night Before ChristmasTrosclair13m4.5 (3.2K)$5 · $0.00
IntentionsOscar Wilde6h 13m4.1 (993)$2 · $0.00
The New Kid on the BlockJack Prelutsky55m4.2 (11.5K)$11 · $0.00
Trout Fishing in AmericaRichard Brautigan3h 29m3.9 (20.8K)$15
A Book of NonsenseEdward Lear33m3.9 (4K)$2.80
Hell, I Love Everybody: The Essential James TateJames Tate2h 2m4.4 (267)$16 · $0.00
Are Women People? A Book of Rhymes for Suffrage TimesAlice Duer Miller29m4.3 (267)$2 · $0.00
Songs of KabirRabindranath Tagore1h 51m4.3 (13.4K)$3.50 · $0.00
Perverted Proverbs: A Manual of Immorals for the ManyHarry Graham31m3.1 (27)$2 · $0.00
Mr. Punch's Scottish HumourVarious2h 40m$1 · $0.00
H. L. Mencken - Premium CollectionGeorge Jean Nathan, H. L. Mencken51h 5m4.6 (21)$2 · $0.00
A Nonsense AnthologyCarolyn Wells4h 55m3.4 (55)$2.30
Something Else AgainFranklin P. Adams1h 30m$2 · $0.00
Cocke Lorelles BoteAnonymous27m$2 · $0.00
The Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a SavoyardW. S. Gilbert8h 41m3.8 (148)$2 · $0.00
Wine, Water, and SongG. K. Chesterton36m$2.30