The Oxford Book of Parodies - Softcover

John Gross was a major editor and critic who worked for the TLS, the New York Times, and the Sunday Telegraph during his illustrious career.

"The critic FR Leavis disliked parody on the grounds that it 'demeaned' the writer being held up to ridicule. A moment of two in the company of John Gross's sparkling new compendium demonstrates how wrong Leavis was. Gross's book passes the first great anthologist's test - putting in
everything the reader expects to find, and a whole lot more besides - with flying colours."

--DJ Taylor, The Financial Times

"Endlessly enjoyable"

--Craig Brown, The Guardian 02/10/2010

"Sumptuous collection."

--The Oldie 01/10/2010

"There are endless amusing trifles."

--The Week 04/09/2010

"Mr Gross's legendary gifts as an editor and critic are much in evidence."

--Eric Ormsby, Wall Street Journal 10.09.10

"Substantial and richly entertaining anthology...Gross provides a brief but admirably informative history of the form."

--The Sunday Telegraph 22/08/2010

"John Gross is an excellent and unintrusive host...he has produced here a fine, diverting book"

--Seamus Perry, TLS

"Sparkling new compendium."

--DJ Taylor, Financial Times 24.07.10

"His entries have enough comic vigour or elegance to be amusing even when one does not know the author being spoofed, and hilarious when one does."

--Kevin Jackson, Sunday Times 09/05/2010

"John Gross's new anthology of parodies in English (with a few foreign titbits) has samples both high and low of this diverse genre."

--The Economist 15/07/2010