The Autobiography of Methuselah

Name: The Autobiography of Methuselah
Author: John Kendrick Bangs

By John Kendrick Bangs

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Humour

About This Book

An aged patriarch offers a mock-autobiographical series of comic reminiscences that merge biblical episodes with absurdist asides and satirical observations. Episodes trace his early life and the naming of animals, convivial recollections of figures such as Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel, and lighter essays on poetry, dress, relations with women, eccentric enterprises and vanished creatures like the mastodon. The voice is playful and conversational, arranging short episodic chapters that favor irony and witty commentary on human habits and customs over strict historical plausibility.

About the Author

John Kendrick Bangs

John Kendrick Bangs was an American author and humorist known for his satirical and whimsical writing style. He gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing significantly to the genre of comic fiction. His notable works include "A House-Boat on the Styx," a humorous take on the afterlife, and "Alice in Blunderland: An Iridescent Dream," which parodies Lewis Carroll's classic. Bangs' writings often blend fantasy with social commentary, showcasing his keen wit and imaginative storytelling. He also wrote essays and short stories, leaving a lasting impact on American literary humor.