Augustus Carp, Esq., by Himself - by Henry Howarth Bashford (Paperback)

About the Book

A self-satisfied fool recounts his mundane achievements in this cult classic and comic gem. Published anonymously in 1924, this spoof memoir was hailed by The New Yorker as "a sublime, ferocious farce."

Book Synopsis

"A sublime ferocious farce." -- The New Yorker.
"Incomparable ... a wonderful slapstick satire on hypocrisy." -- New Statesman.
"One of the great comic novels of the twentieth century." -- Anthony Burgess.
Meet our memoirist, Augustus Carp, a self-proclaimed "good man" who relishes every opportunity to condemn the weaknesses of others while excusing his own failings. In this spoof autobiography, the pompous narrator enthusiastically recounts his mundane achievements with unwitting hilarity, making frequent asides to bemoan the sins of lesser mortals. Much of the story's ironic humor derives from his delivery; the more seriously Carp takes himself, the more ridiculous he appears.
This riotous fable is supported by a cast of delightfully eccentric and grotesque characters: Abraham Stool, manufacturer of the famous Adult Gripe Water; schoolteacher Mr. Beerthorpe, inevitably known to his charges as "Beery"; the Rev. Eugene Cake, author of such improving fiction as Gnashers of Teeth; and other memorable personalities. A cult classic and comic gem, the book was originally published anonymously in 1924 and rediscovered decades later, when its author was revealed as a genteel (and discreet) London physician. This edition features the splendidly droll illustrations by Punch artist Marjorie Blood from the original publication.

From the Back Cover

"A sublime ferocious farce."--The New Yorker.
"Incomparable ... a wonderful slapstick satire on hypocrisy."--New Statesman.
"One of the great comic novels of the twentieth century."--Anthony Burgess.
Meet our memoirist, Augustus Carp, a self-proclaimed "good man" who relishes every opportunity to condemn the weaknesses of others while excusing his own failings. In this spoof autobiography, the pompous narrator enthusiastically recounts his mundane achievements with unwitting hilarity, making frequent asides to bemoan the sins of lesser mortals. Much of the story's ironic humor derives from his delivery; the more seriously Carp takes himself, the more ridiculous he appears.
This riotous fable is supported by a cast of delightfully eccentric and grotesque characters: Abraham Stool, manufacturer of the famous Adult Gripe Water; schoolteacher Mr. Beerthorpe, inevitably known to his charges as "Beery"; the Rev. Eugene Cake, author of such improving fiction as Gnashers of Teeth; and other memorable personalities. A cult classic and comic gem, the book was originally published anonymously in 1924 and rediscovered decades later, when its author was revealed as a genteel (and discreet) London physician. This edition features the splendidly droll illustrations by Punch artist Marjorie Blood from the original publication.
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About the Author

Sir Henry H. Bashford (1880-1961) was Chief Medical Officer to the Post Office, Medical Adviser to the Treasury, and Honorary Physician to King George VI. In addition to medical articles for the Lancet, he wrote poetry and nonfiction. Augustus Carp is Bashford's only work of humor; he published it under a pseudonym and his identity as the author remained unknown until after his death.
"Robin," the book's illustrator, was Punch cartoonist Marjorie Blood. A year after illustrating the book, she joined Roehampton Convent, where generations of girls knew her as Mother Catherine.