Half-Hours with the Idiot
Mar 2022 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
65
Pages
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About this ebook
Excerpt: ""I am glad to see that the government is beginning to think seriously of providing Ambassadors' residences at the various foreign capitals to which our Ambassadors are accredited," said the Idiot, stirring his coffee with a small pocket thermometer, and entering the recorded temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit in his little memorandum book. "That's a thing we have needed for a long time. It has always seemed a humiliating thing to me to note the differences between the houses of our government officials of equal rank, but of unequal fortune, abroad. To leave the home of an Ambassador to Great Britain, a massive sixteen-story mausoleum, looking like a collision between a Carnegie Library and a State Penitentiary, with seven baths and four grand pianos on every floor, with guides always on duty to show you the way from your bedchamber to the breakfast room, and a special valet for each garment you wear, from sock to collar, and go over to Rome and find your Ambassador heating his coffee over a gas-jet in a hall bedroom on the top floor of some dusty old Palazzo, overlooking the garage of the Spanish Minister, is disconcerting, to say the least. It may be a symptom of American fraternity, but it does not speak volumes for Western Hemispherical equality, and the whole business ought to be standardized. An American Embassy architecturally should not be either a twin brother to a Renaissance lunatic asylum, or a replica of a four thousand dollar Ladies' Home Journal bungalow that can be built by the owner himself working Sunday afternoons for eight hundred dollars, exclusive of the plumbing.""
About the author
John Kendrick Bangs (1862-1922) was an American author and satirist whose wit and humor left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Yonkers, New York, Bangs was a prolific writer who contributed to the development of the "Bangsian fantasy" genre, a sub-genre of fantasy literature involving famous historical figures in the afterlife. His imaginative narratives and clever satire captivated readers and influenced contemporary writers, including P.G. Wodehouse and Mark Twain.Bangs began his career as an editor for various magazines, including *Life* and *Harper's Weekly*, where his sharp editorial eye and humorous style gained him a loyal readership. His work often parodied the social and political issues of his time, using humor to critique and reflect on the human condition. This approach resonated with readers who were navigating the complexities of the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era.Despite his popularity, Bangs was not without controversy. His satirical take on revered figures and institutions sometimes drew the ire of critics who felt he was too irreverent. Nevertheless, his fearless approach to writing and his ability to blend humor with social commentary earned him a lasting place in American literary history.Bangs was also a pioneer in the use of serialized storytelling, a technique that kept readers eagerly anticipating the next installment of his works. His innovative style and willingness to push the boundaries of conventional literature paved the way for future generations of writers who sought to blend humor with deeper societal insights.John Kendrick Bangs remains a fascinating figure for modern readers, not only for his literary contributions but also for his ability to use humor as a lens through which to view and critique the world. His legacy endures as a testament to the power of satire and the enduring appeal of a well-told story.
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