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Review
... this four-programme set is an utter delight and quite fascinating -- South Wales Argus
Product Description
Stephen Fry hosts four programmes on the joys of the English language - as heard on BBC Radio 4. "Current Puns": Why does our language groan with the weight of puns? What exactly is a pun? And who, or what, is the Thief of Bad Gags? "Metaphor": the English language is chock-full of maritime metaphors: cock up, taken aback, chip on your shoulder and show a leg. And, with the help of a Greek removals firm, we also find the origin of the word 'metaphor'. "Quotation": the uses and misuses of quotations are revealed, and there is also a frank confession from a quotation compiler, which we cannot divulge here. "Cliche": featuring sick parrots and the cliche crisis that affected the writing of Flaubert, Joyce and Eliot, and helped shape modern language and culture. '...this four-programme set is an utter delight and quite fascinating' - "South Wales Argus".
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I seem to be going through a 'Fry phase' at the moment, as I've just finished the entire series of Stephen Fry in America, watched many episodes of Jeeves And Wooster & have listened to his excellent Stephen Fry Presents - Short Stories by Anton Chekhov. I've even watched his videos debating alongside Christopher Hitchens & have yet to find him annoying, snobbish or arrogant, but rather the model of a renaissance man.
Starting off with a section called 'Current Puns', the English language is dissected in depth by a mixture of academics and amateurs. The comedian who holds the world record for the most jokes told in an hour (Tim Vine, at 499) is asked about how he makes puns & there is also a section on the Pun computer. Fry also analyses different types of puns & ends with one of his favourites (which I'm sorely tempted to tell you, if it weren't for the fact that it would ruin your enjoyment of the CD!)
Section 2 is 'Metaphor'. Many other reviewers have said that Section 1 is the only section worth listening to, but I disagree. This section is arguably the best one, with lots of QI-style insightful gambits. The large quantity of Naval metaphors (e.g. taken aback) are explored in this section, along with 'skeletons of metaphors'. Personally I had no idea that English was so laden with buried metaphors within individual words (e.g. 'sarcastic' meaning 'flesh tearing'). The phrase 'Deep Metaphor' takes on a whole new meaning...
Moving onto CD 2, Section 3 is 'Quotation'. Unlike QI: Advanced Banter, this is not just a long list of quotes but more an exploration of their nature (although it does include some good ones - e.g. 'Pretentious? Moi??' by Miss Piggy). Fry explores the meme-like nature of quotes & their nature, before looking into some users of quotes (such as Politicians & Celebrities). There is also a section on the institution that is Colemanballs - tawdry, cliched & incongruent quotations made by Football commentators.
Section 4 is 'Cliche', which sounds like a dreadful idea for an ending, but is actually interesting. Cliches aren't just cringe-worthy, but are actually a way of using language efficiently. There are interviews with printers (where the term 'cliche' comes from) & also compilers of Dictionaries of Cliche (e.g. The Penguin Dictionary of Cliches). This section also explores Tottenham's history with Parrot cliches as well as many other animal-related cliches that seem to plague but also enrich the English language.
Overall I found this CD lived up to expectations & moves me one stage closer to wanting to explore his books again (which initially put me off his work). As yet, I'm still to find anything from Fry's second-wind that hasn't appealed & educated in equal measure. Here's hoping the sequel is as good...
Starting off with a section called 'Current Puns', the English language is dissected in depth by a mixture of academics and amateurs. The comedian who holds the world record for the most jokes told in an hour (Tim Vine, at 499) is asked about how he makes puns & there is also a section on the Pun computer. Fry also analyses different types of puns & ends with one of his favourites (which I'm sorely tempted to tell you, if it weren't for the fact that it would ruin your enjoyment of the CD!)
Section 2 is 'Metaphor'. Many other reviewers have said that Section 1 is the only section worth listening to, but I disagree. This section is arguably the best one, with lots of QI-style insightful gambits. The large quantity of Naval metaphors (e.g. taken aback) are explored in this section, along with 'skeletons of metaphors'. Personally I had no idea that English was so laden with buried metaphors within individual words (e.g. 'sarcastic' meaning 'flesh tearing'). The phrase 'Deep Metaphor' takes on a whole new meaning...
Moving onto CD 2, Section 3 is 'Quotation'. Unlike QI: Advanced Banter, this is not just a long list of quotes but more an exploration of their nature (although it does include some good ones - e.g. 'Pretentious? Moi??' by Miss Piggy). Fry explores the meme-like nature of quotes & their nature, before looking into some users of quotes (such as Politicians & Celebrities). There is also a section on the institution that is Colemanballs - tawdry, cliched & incongruent quotations made by Football commentators.
Section 4 is 'Cliche', which sounds like a dreadful idea for an ending, but is actually interesting. Cliches aren't just cringe-worthy, but are actually a way of using language efficiently. There are interviews with printers (where the term 'cliche' comes from) & also compilers of Dictionaries of Cliche (e.g. The Penguin Dictionary of Cliches). This section also explores Tottenham's history with Parrot cliches as well as many other animal-related cliches that seem to plague but also enrich the English language.
Overall I found this CD lived up to expectations & moves me one stage closer to wanting to explore his books again (which initially put me off his work). As yet, I'm still to find anything from Fry's second-wind that hasn't appealed & educated in equal measure. Here's hoping the sequel is as good...
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is the first audio-book which I have purchased and purely an impulse buy but one that I have not been disappointed in.
This is a laugh-out-loud book and one which the whole family can enjoy (although if you are anything like me, you may need a dictionary to hand in order to explain some of the words used).
Stephen does the introductions to several topics and although these cannot really be faulted, I would have preferred to hear a little more from Stephen himself. This is the only reason I have deducted one star as the audio-book itself is interesting, informative and funny.
This is a laugh-out-loud book and one which the whole family can enjoy (although if you are anything like me, you may need a dictionary to hand in order to explain some of the words used).
Stephen does the introductions to several topics and although these cannot really be faulted, I would have preferred to hear a little more from Stephen himself. This is the only reason I have deducted one star as the audio-book itself is interesting, informative and funny.
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For all those interested in the origins of metaphors, what makes a really good quotation and why we use them anyway - this is for you! Full of fascinating historical information as well as a good dose of humour as you would expect from Stephen Fry.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
not what i expected
I thought this would be Steven Fry chatting about the English language in a witty and clever way. Its not. Read more
Published 3 months ago by c1h8e0l
Brilliant
My husband can't see very well so i bought him this cd as he is a fan of Steven Fry and he loved it, well worth the money.
Published 3 months ago by Sandra
Great buy!
I bought this for a friend's birthday! I don't know if he really loves it but at least I do! haha
Published 11 months ago by Ariel
Went on a bit...
Not what I was hoping for from Mr Fry, who is normally so funny. Perhaps it was a bit too high-brow for my tastes?
Published 13 months ago by The Audio Traveller
Disappointing
I'm afraid this failed to meet my expectations. The wit and humour of Fry combined with the idiosyncracies of the English language sounded like a sure fire winner...but it wasn't. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Caz
Interesting and sometimes funny
Interesting information and presentation. Fry's humour makes it worthwhile to listen to, and personally I might "have to" buy more of this radio series.
Published 18 months ago by Nils-Fredrik Pedersen
Enchanting
A great listen on a wet winter's day with a warm fire and a glass of red.
Published on 21 May 2010 by Dr. Michael J. Atkins
Frys English Delight
i would have liked to have had more details on this cd, whilst it was mildly entertaining it would have been better if it had more information about the contents. Read more
Published on 2 April 2010
Not much Fry, lots of others.
I was disappointed with this and haven't returned to it since buying it a while ago.
I have a few of Mr Fry's fine audio cd's and was eagerly anticipating this not only for... Read more
I have a few of Mr Fry's fine audio cd's and was eagerly anticipating this not only for... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2010 by SL-N/1973
Wonderful! We still have a rich language!
I had this from my wife as a Christmas present. It has dispelled all the post-holiday blues, banished the icy weather and kept me chuckling ever since. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2010 by P. R. Thompson
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