Sexually, I'm more of a Switzerland
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Review
`This affectionate collection of their unconventional statements gives an entertaining peek into the lives and aspirations of men and women of all ages and backgrounds who have largely given up trying to appear more attractive and personable than they actually are.'
--Guardian
--Guardian
Product Description
The perfect gift from the LRB and Picador . . .
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Kindle Edition
Sadly, about 50% of the book was given over to footnotes & explanations, which is fine if you want to really dig deep into the whole thing and learn how clever (or otherwise) the author of the ad was/was trying to be, but really, I didn't think that they added a great deal to the book. However, for the small price paid, I got enough good giggles to make the purchase worthwhile.
The Kindle edition loses something, as you can't readily "dog-ear" the pages of those you liked best.
The Kindle edition loses something, as you can't readily "dog-ear" the pages of those you liked best.
Format:Hardcover
This book is really little more than a collection of personal ads, from The London Review of Books, a few of which are quite witty indeed; And many of which, it must be admitted, fall short of greatness. Nonetheless, it certainly does what it says on the tin. However, as suggested, because not every contributor is even remotely close to an undercover 'Oscar Wilde', I can't give this book full marks.
Now, I'm not a 'London Review of Books' reader, nor have I had to write many 'personals' in my life to date; yet this remains a reasonably entertaining collection, to be dipped into, and enjoyed, from time to time. Of those I found particularly funny, there is: "Man 46, An Animal in Bed. Probably a Gnu" or how about this one?
"Found love yet? Console yourself with our range of fabulous fitted wardrobes... Write for free catalogue to desperate salesman, 44, divorced, no access to the kids, sleeping in his mother's Astra. Box no.xx"
Of the patently sad ones, there are these: "I went to university to learn how to write ads like this. Woman, 32. Box no. xx" Or:
"I've memorised every step to Waitrose, Caversham. Woman, 43, just about ready to take a step up the social ladder with any reasonably-minded moneyed male up to 90..."
And there are plenty which don't pass the Oscar Wilde test, such as "World's worst univocalic personal ad writer. Male 43. Box no. xx" Or, there are those which are simply succinct to the point of meaninglessness, "I beg to differ. Box no. xx"
In conclusion, it's worth buying, particularly if it can be found in the 'bargain bin'... and the above quotations whet your appetite, but certainly not indispensable.
Now, I'm not a 'London Review of Books' reader, nor have I had to write many 'personals' in my life to date; yet this remains a reasonably entertaining collection, to be dipped into, and enjoyed, from time to time. Of those I found particularly funny, there is: "Man 46, An Animal in Bed. Probably a Gnu" or how about this one?
"Found love yet? Console yourself with our range of fabulous fitted wardrobes... Write for free catalogue to desperate salesman, 44, divorced, no access to the kids, sleeping in his mother's Astra. Box no.xx"
Of the patently sad ones, there are these: "I went to university to learn how to write ads like this. Woman, 32. Box no. xx" Or:
"I've memorised every step to Waitrose, Caversham. Woman, 43, just about ready to take a step up the social ladder with any reasonably-minded moneyed male up to 90..."
And there are plenty which don't pass the Oscar Wilde test, such as "World's worst univocalic personal ad writer. Male 43. Box no. xx" Or, there are those which are simply succinct to the point of meaninglessness, "I beg to differ. Box no. xx"
In conclusion, it's worth buying, particularly if it can be found in the 'bargain bin'... and the above quotations whet your appetite, but certainly not indispensable.
Format:Paperback
This book is so so funny. It makes a brilliant gift for anyone vaguely literate with a sense of humour. Buy it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Better in snippets
A great concept and I haven't been able to look at a personal ad again since reading these. However while some are laugh out loud funny others are a bit pretentious and/or... Read more
Published 5 months ago by bluestar
Book of personal ads seeks reader.
This is a collection of person ads from the London Review of Books, some are ridiculous, some are hilarious, some are down right weird. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Em
Over hyped
This book is ok but very over hyped. It quickly became boring as most of the really good quotes were in magazines and newspapers.
Published 16 months ago by Lee
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