Reviews for The Lost Algonquin Round Table

The average rating for The Lost Algonquin Round Table based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-06-11 00:00:00 Jerome Flunning Editing together material from one writer can be a problem. Making the result a reasonable collection is that much harder where the items were: 1- never intended to be in one collection and 2- are drawn from the lessor known works. Benchley and Fitzpatrick have produced a creditable collection of works, managing these difficulty factors plus combining samples from many of the literary members of the self-made artist's colony known as the Algonquin Round Table. The result is more in the tradition of Spanish tapas hopping and less like a sampler of candies. In tapas hopping the idea is move about, sampling a small serving of a food items special to that barra. The Lost Algonquin Round Table contains selections from over a dozen the literary members of the "ten year luncheon" that began meeting in 1919. This sampling includes humorous, and silly but also serious and historical. So again, not like a candy sampler. Fans of the Round table can be expected to remember writers like Dorothy Parker and Robert Benchley. Other names like Franklin Adams, Edna Ferber and Donald Ogden Stewart were barely known, at least to me, and because of this book I will look for more of their work. The unexpected and forgotten members who are included are a part of why I recommend this book. The expected humorous selections were not always my favorites. The Courtship of Miles Standish in the Manner of F. Scott Fitzgerald (Donald Ogden Stewart) was heavy handed and too long. The Woolen Mitten Situation (Robert Benchley ) may have been a classic in its day, but it is worn and too mild given the topic of market research. All of the interviews were of interest. The Other Side of Al Jolson (George S. Kaufman) profiles a singer/actor sill early in his career, less self- important, against type and image while revealing some of his early history not usually included in more official biographies. The short stories were another good surprise. Old Man Minick(Edna Ferber) is a touching tale, but original in refusing to be overly romantic, or maudlin. Having little experience of him in the past I found myself leaning in when I saw that a selection was by Franklin Adams. Usually it is said of most varied collections that there is something here for every reader. In The Lost Algonquin Round Table there are selections that will fall flat for almost every reader. Not to worry, in a few pages there will be a taste of something better or new to you. The Lost Algonquin Round Table is a reminder of why The New York literary scene of the twenties was roaring.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-06-15 00:00:00 Luis Carvo This was interesting. More of a period piece. Had some poetry, some criticism, some short stories, just a lot of everything. I'd heard a lot about this group, and it was interesting to see what they actually did (besides sit around at lunch and trade quips).