Word: leacockism
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There is no doubt that Mr. Leacock is supreme in his particular field of literature. No one but he can paint such successful cartoons of modern foibles and conventions, so delightfully satirical yet withal so absurdly true. The imaginative sketches he conceives abound in unconscious witticisms, in masterly touches of caricature, which produce a fresh burst of laughter at every page; and above all, by the judicious employment of exaggeration, he never fails to achieve the desired effect. One can as easily read his essays without laughing as go swimming without getting wet; the ridiculous twists to his tales...
...Stephen Leacock has added once more to the rapidly growing library of his literary travesties. In his latest book, entitled "Winsome Winnie," the great American humorist presents a series of new Nonsense Novels which seem destined further to enhance his popularity with that very large sphere of the public who avidly devour everything signed by his magic name...
Judging Mr. Leacock's latest effort, one finds that although each individual bit of nonsense in the collection is essentially clever, some are more spontaneous, more appealing to one's sense of the comical, than others. "Winsome Winnie" deservedly finds first place in and supplies the title to the volume...
There are times when Mr. Leacock's efforts to be funny fall a trifle flat, when his satire or exaggeration are too obvious to "get across." Thus "John and I," "The Kidnapped Plumber" (except for a few brilliant flashes) and "Buggam Grange" seem somewhat forced. "The Split in the Cabinet" on the other hand is more successful in its treatment of the English political novel...
...record all the passages that excite a more or less emphatic degree of laughter would fill several columns. Suffice it to say that Stephen Leacock needs no press notices and in "Winsome Winnie" he is at his customary best...