- Hardcover
- Publisher: Buccaneer Books (July 1990)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0899667260
- ISBN-13: 978-0899667263
- Product Dimensions: 22.4 x 14.6 x 1.9 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,605,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Auntie Mame
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
Like Tennessee Williams, Patrick Dennis caught the boldness, vitality, and iridescent theatricality of modern American personality. In Mame's mercurial metamorphoses we see American optimism and self-invention writ large. (Camille Paglia )
Extravaganet follies and delirious escapades. (New York Times )
As hilarious as a Marx brothers comedy. As elegant as a Schiaparelli eau de toilette. As exhilarating as laughing gas. (Vanity Fair )
'[Dennis] writes beautifully ... absolutely delightful ... camp as all boots but still funny!' (Ian Hislop )
One of the funniest books I've ever read ... a comedy classic (Kate Saunders Radio 4's A Good Read ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Extravaganet follies and delirious escapades. (New York Times )
As hilarious as a Marx brothers comedy. As elegant as a Schiaparelli eau de toilette. As exhilarating as laughing gas. (Vanity Fair )
'[Dennis] writes beautifully ... absolutely delightful ... camp as all boots but still funny!' (Ian Hislop )
One of the funniest books I've ever read ... a comedy classic (Kate Saunders Radio 4's A Good Read ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Product Description
"Outrageous, hilarious, ribald, sophisticated, slapsatiric." The Denver Post
With a wit as sharp as a vodka stinger and a heart as free as her spirit, Auntie Mame burst onto the literary scene in 1955 -- and today remains one of the most unforgettable characters in contemporary fiction. Follow the rollicking adventures of this unflappable flapper as seen through the wide eyes of her young, impressionable nephew and discover anew or for the first time why Mame has made the world a more wonderful place . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
With a wit as sharp as a vodka stinger and a heart as free as her spirit, Auntie Mame burst onto the literary scene in 1955 -- and today remains one of the most unforgettable characters in contemporary fiction. Follow the rollicking adventures of this unflappable flapper as seen through the wide eyes of her young, impressionable nephew and discover anew or for the first time why Mame has made the world a more wonderful place . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This is a delightful book, a real treasure, telling the story of a delightful resourceful woman - how marvellous it would be to have an aunt like Mame!
The author immediately gets one's interest and that interest never wavers throughout the entire book. Patrick Dennis is orphaned at an early age and Aunt Mame takes him in. I loved the idea of him aged 9 sitting next to Aunt Mame with a pad writing down all the long words he didn't know and her explaining them to him. His vocabulary must have increased magnificently!
Aunt Mame loved an adventure and life was one big adventure for her. Even when she lost all her money in the Wall Street Crash, she did not falter and did one job after another - alas not well - and it was only when she met an oil magnate that she was able to resume her former lifestyle. Not that she thought it her right, it was just the way she had always lived her life.
Each chapter is a complete story in itself and they start with extracts from a 'sweet old lady' who herself takes in a foundling and how she copes with her baby, toddler and eventually grown up child who eventually marries and has his own children.
The book was written in 1955 and I agree it is rightfully a Penguin Classic. I think its good that a new generation of readers have an opportunity to enjoy this author.
Sit back read, enjoy and if you're reading it on the tube (or any public place) be aware that you'll probably laugh out loud.
[Review by Shirleyanne Seel]
The author immediately gets one's interest and that interest never wavers throughout the entire book. Patrick Dennis is orphaned at an early age and Aunt Mame takes him in. I loved the idea of him aged 9 sitting next to Aunt Mame with a pad writing down all the long words he didn't know and her explaining them to him. His vocabulary must have increased magnificently!
Aunt Mame loved an adventure and life was one big adventure for her. Even when she lost all her money in the Wall Street Crash, she did not falter and did one job after another - alas not well - and it was only when she met an oil magnate that she was able to resume her former lifestyle. Not that she thought it her right, it was just the way she had always lived her life.
Each chapter is a complete story in itself and they start with extracts from a 'sweet old lady' who herself takes in a foundling and how she copes with her baby, toddler and eventually grown up child who eventually marries and has his own children.
The book was written in 1955 and I agree it is rightfully a Penguin Classic. I think its good that a new generation of readers have an opportunity to enjoy this author.
Sit back read, enjoy and if you're reading it on the tube (or any public place) be aware that you'll probably laugh out loud.
[Review by Shirleyanne Seel]
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This is an amusing hybrid of Dorothy Parker (very witty) P.G.Wodehouse (class consciousness and comedy of manners) and Saki (peopled at times with strange artistic eccentrics, and clearly on the side of the outre rather than conformists)
Its really a collection of vignettes about the imaginary author (see the afterword, which explains that 'Patrick Dennis' wrote a variety of books using a variety of nom de plumes, of which PD was one) and his imaginary life with his wildly arty bohemian aunt Mame. The stories are sewn together by a device of comparing them with another imaginary book written about someone else's eccentric aunt (less confusing in the book, I promise)
I laughed a lot during the first half to two thirds of the book, but then began to chortle less and less, finding that the fancy and amusement could not really sustain themselves. The early stories, covering the young Patrick, and his boyhood and adolescent experiences with his aunt were very funny - once into the period of the war, I felt the stories were running out of steam. The best jokes had been made, and a fairly delightful divertissement, suitable for a small dose, was becoming overworked and heavy. I found this particularly true from the story about the fostered children onwards to the 'second generation' ending. 3 1/2 stars if I could - better than OK, QUITE liked it, or liked the first half a lot, then lost engagement
Its really a collection of vignettes about the imaginary author (see the afterword, which explains that 'Patrick Dennis' wrote a variety of books using a variety of nom de plumes, of which PD was one) and his imaginary life with his wildly arty bohemian aunt Mame. The stories are sewn together by a device of comparing them with another imaginary book written about someone else's eccentric aunt (less confusing in the book, I promise)
I laughed a lot during the first half to two thirds of the book, but then began to chortle less and less, finding that the fancy and amusement could not really sustain themselves. The early stories, covering the young Patrick, and his boyhood and adolescent experiences with his aunt were very funny - once into the period of the war, I felt the stories were running out of steam. The best jokes had been made, and a fairly delightful divertissement, suitable for a small dose, was becoming overworked and heavy. I found this particularly true from the story about the fostered children onwards to the 'second generation' ending. 3 1/2 stars if I could - better than OK, QUITE liked it, or liked the first half a lot, then lost engagement
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Beautiful, hilarious whimsical whirlwind of a book from start to finish; 'Auntie Mame' tells the story, through the eyes of Patrick Dennis, of a life lived with his infamous, fun, indomitable, eccentric, and utterly mad high-society aunt who must raise him as her own when he is orphaned at the tender age of ten.
One morning an adult Patrick reads a copy of the Digest to find an article about a most unusual, sweet little lady who raised a orphan, and begins reminiscing about the unusual, sweet little lady who raised him. From there follows a collection of what are essentially short stories broken up into chapters; the painfully hilarious messes that the impulsive Mame drags her beguiled nephew into, and the unforgettable crew of characters whose lives they change along the way (and not always for the better!).
So many times this book had me snickering out loud, and yet it is such a touching read too - Auntie Mame is frivolous and scatterbrained and often exasperating, but her well-intentioned messing with Patrick's upringing, and her love for him and those who surround her, always shines through. Highlights include Ito's giggling, Mame's out of control horseback ride, Agnes' alter ego, the english children who turn out to be spawn-of-the-devil hellions when Mame kindly takes them in, and Patrick finally finding love and settling down...only to find the cycle beginning all over again when an eager Auntie Mame gets her hands on his son.
I recommend this to anyone looking for a witty, charming and warm read, and I'll be on the lookout for more of Dennis' work after this - it isn't just the lovable characters or funny story, but the sparkling, wry prose which brings 'Auntie Mame' to life.
One morning an adult Patrick reads a copy of the Digest to find an article about a most unusual, sweet little lady who raised a orphan, and begins reminiscing about the unusual, sweet little lady who raised him. From there follows a collection of what are essentially short stories broken up into chapters; the painfully hilarious messes that the impulsive Mame drags her beguiled nephew into, and the unforgettable crew of characters whose lives they change along the way (and not always for the better!).
So many times this book had me snickering out loud, and yet it is such a touching read too - Auntie Mame is frivolous and scatterbrained and often exasperating, but her well-intentioned messing with Patrick's upringing, and her love for him and those who surround her, always shines through. Highlights include Ito's giggling, Mame's out of control horseback ride, Agnes' alter ego, the english children who turn out to be spawn-of-the-devil hellions when Mame kindly takes them in, and Patrick finally finding love and settling down...only to find the cycle beginning all over again when an eager Auntie Mame gets her hands on his son.
I recommend this to anyone looking for a witty, charming and warm read, and I'll be on the lookout for more of Dennis' work after this - it isn't just the lovable characters or funny story, but the sparkling, wry prose which brings 'Auntie Mame' to life.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Irreverent Auntie Mame!
This is a book full of moments of good fun and will bring you laughs along the way as you journey with the protagonist and his experiences of his Auntie Mame. Read more
Published 3 months ago by hmcni
Quick and enjoyable.
This book is a super read full of wit, style and comedy - I read in one sitting.
The book is made up of mini-stories telling of Patrick who is orphaned and raised by his... Read more
The book is made up of mini-stories telling of Patrick who is orphaned and raised by his... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Lily
A comic delight
Auntie Mame is a beautifully written piece of light but sharp-witted humour. Told by the orphaned nephew that the eponymous heroine takes in when he is 10-years-old, it follows the... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Kate
Dated
I wanted to like it, but I couldn't help but find Auntie Mame too feckless to be charming or endearing. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Dinky
Amazing Auntie Mamie
At the age of 10, Patrick Dennis a shy young heir is taken in by his Auntie Mame who is a New York socialite. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Candi Says
A charming read!
An eccentric and indulgent read, at times exasperating but always enjoyable! Dennis himself sounds to be a fascinating character and I would like to read more of his work.
Published 16 months ago by G. Parfitt
Fond memories
I fell in love with this story as a child watching the movie which starred the wonderful Rosalind Russell in the title role. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mrs. Margaret Gallaghrt
Oh Cuddles! Oh my little love!
It took me a few chapters to warm to this. At first I thought it was too arch and too deliberately eccentric, with crazy Auntie Mame, her adopted nephew Patrick and her Japanese... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Four Violets
Sparkling, dry and deliciously decadent tale of a New York socialite
As deliciously sparkling and dry as a fine champagne, this is a witty, pseudo-autobiographical account of an orphaned boy's adventures in the care of his unconventional aunt. Read more
Published 18 months ago by J. Dawson
Good old fashioned romp.....
I bought this book after reading a short review on a blog that I regularly follow. I really enjoyed reading it. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Miss Chisholm
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