Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith

The original text for this book first appeared in Punch magazine but was turned into a book and published in 1892.

Weedon Grossmith drew the illustrations that illuminate this book.

This is the diary of Mr Charles Pooter who takes himself too seriously and is rather self-important. He has a habit of having small accidents – he hits his head on window frames, smashes mirrors, and slips over when wearing his best clothes. He picks arguments with other people lower down the social scale in his perception over unimportant matters on a regular basis and becomes the butt of many a joke.

The style of writing is so good that these apparently mundane events seem all the more absurd when you read them – why would anyone write down such apparently trivial happenings?

His long-suffering wife Carrie supports him as best she can, whereas his son Willie Lupin Pooter regards him with disdain.

This book generated the word Pooterish which means taking yourself far too seriously and believing your importance and influence are greater than they actually are.

Published by Julian Worker

Julian was born in Leicester, attended school in Yorkshire, and university in Liverpool. He has been to 94 countries and territories and intends to make the 100 when travel is easier. He writes travel books, murder / mysteries and absurd fiction. His sense of humour is distilled from The Marx Brothers, Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, and Midsomer Murders. His latest book is about a Buddhist cat who tries to help his squirrel friend fly further from a children's slide.

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