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Posts tagged comedy
Cap'n Eri

By Joseph Crosby Lincoln. Designed and Edited with an Introduction by Colin Heston

Cap’n Eri by Joseph C. Lincoln is a lighthearted and endearing novel set in a small Cape Cod town, where three retired sea captains—Eri, Jerry, and Perez—live together in a somewhat chaotic but good-natured bachelor household. As they grow older, they begin to realize that their domestic arrangements are becoming increasingly unmanageable, especially when it comes to cooking and housekeeping. The trio decides that the best solution is to find a housekeeper, but their plan takes an unexpected turn when they conclude that the most efficient way to secure one is for one of them to get married. This leads to a humorous and sometimes awkward series of events as they attempt to find a suitable bride through a matrimonial advertisement.

The story unfolds with a mix of comedic misunderstandings, heartfelt moments, and the gentle satire of small-town life. When a woman named Mrs. Snow responds to the ad and arrives in town, the captains are thrown into a whirlwind of adjustments and surprises. Mrs. Snow is not quite what they expected, and her presence begins to shift the dynamics of the household in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, a subplot involving a young man named John Brown and his romantic interest in a local girl adds a layer of youthful energy and emotional depth to the narrative.

Lincoln’s portrayal of Cape Cod life is rich with regional dialect, local color, and a deep affection for the traditions and quirks of the community. The novel is not just a comedy of manners but also a reflection on aging, companionship, and the importance of human connection. Through the humorous escapades of the three captains and the evolving relationships among the characters, Cap’n Eri offers a warm and nostalgic glimpse into a bygone era, celebrating the resilience and kindness of ordinary people navigating life’s changes together.

This edition has been reformatted, designed, abridged and annotated  by renowned novelist and story writer Colin Heston to remove errors and other distracting content that occurred in the original edition, making the book more accessible for the present day reader..

Read-Me.Org Inc. New York-Philadelphia-Australia. 2025. 179 p.

Farces: The Dictator, The Galloper

By Richard Harding Davis

Farces: The Dictator; The Galloper; Miss Civilization is a collection of three short plays written by American author Richard Harding Davis. Each play is a comedic farce that satirizes different aspects of society.The first play, The Dictator, is set in a fictional South American country and follows the bumbling attempts of an American journalist to overthrow the corrupt dictator and install a democratic government. The play pokes fun at American imperialism and the idea of spreading democracy through force.The second play, The Galloper, is set in a military camp during the Spanish-American War and follows the misadventures of a young officer who is more interested in impressing his girlfriend than in fighting the enemy. The play satirizes the military and the idea of war as a romantic adventure.The third play, Miss Civilization, is set in a small town in the American West and follows the arrival of a sophisticated New York socialite who tries to bring culture and refinement to the rough and tumble frontier. The play pokes fun at the idea of cultural superiority and the clash of cultures.Overall, Farces: The Dictator; The Galloper; Miss Civilization is a humorous and lighthearted collection that provides a snapshot of American society and culture at the turn of the 20th century.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS: NEW YORK 1906, 357p.