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Literary Blunders   By: (1838-1917)

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In "Literary Blunders," Henry Benjamin Wheatley delves into the fascinating and often humorous world of literary mistakes, mishaps, and blunders. With an engaging writing style and extensive knowledge of the subject matter, Wheatley explores the various blunders and oversights committed by both renowned authors and lesser-known writers throughout history.

The book is divided into several sections, each focusing on a particular type of literary blunder. Wheatley starts by discussing typographical errors, those unintentional mistakes that sneak into printed works. He shares amusing anecdotes where publishers, editors, and even famous authors failed to spot these errors before publication. The stories range from small, insignificant typos to more impactful misprints that changed the entire meaning of a sentence or passage.

Moving on, Wheatley delves into linguistic blunders, exploring unfortunate mistakes in grammar, spelling, and word choice committed by writers across different languages and time periods. With a keen eye for detail, he uncovers linguistic failures that resulted in unintentional humor or confusion, highlighting the importance of careful language use in literature.

Another intriguing section of the book focuses on factual blunders, where authors unknowingly introduced inaccurate information into their works. Wheatley shares examples where authors relied on faulty sources or simply neglected to fact-check their writing, leading to embarrassing errors or perpetuation of myths.

Wheatley's vast knowledge of both classic and contemporary literature shines through as he uncovers these literary blunders. With each blunder he describes, he provides historical context and analysis, allowing readers to appreciate the extent of the mistakes and their implications on the literary world.

What makes "Literary Blunders" enjoyable to read is not only the wealth of information it provides, but also Wheatley's witty and engaging writing style. He infuses humor into his narratives, making even the most academic discussions entertaining. The book is peppered with amusing quotations, excerpts, and examples that further highlight the absurdity and sometimes humorous nature of these blunders.

While the subject matter of "Literary Blunders" may seem niche, Wheatley's captivating storytelling makes it accessible to a wide range of readers. Whether you are a literature enthusiast, language buff, or simply someone who enjoys amusing anecdotes, this book offers an entertaining blend of education and entertainment.

Overall, "Literary Blunders" by Henry Benjamin Wheatley is a meticulously researched and entertaining exploration of the mistakes that have found their way into the world of literature. With its engaging style and comprehensive coverage, this book sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the literary world, showcasing the fallibility of even the most esteemed writers.

First Page:

LITERARY BLUNDERS

A CHAPTER IN THE

`` HISTORY OF HUMAN ERROR ''

BY HENRY B. WHEATLEY, F.S.A.

PREFACE.

EVERY reader of The Caxtons will remember the description, in that charming novel, of the gradual growth of Augustine Caxton's great work ``The History of Human Error,'' and how, in fact, the existence of that work forms the pivot round which the incidents turn. It was modestly expected to extend to five quarto volumes, but only the first seven sheets were printed by Uncle Jack's Anti Publishers' Society, ``with sundry unfinished plates depicting the various developments of the human skull (that temple of Human Error),''

and the remainder has not been heard of since.

In introducing to the reader a small branch of this inexhaustible subject, I have ventured to make use of Augustine Caxton's title; but I trust that no one will allow himself to imagine that I intend, in the future, to produce the thousand or so volumes which will be required to complete the work.

A satirical friend who has seen the proofs of this little volume says it should be entitled ``Jokes Old and New''; but I find that he seldom acknowledges that a joke is new, and I hope, therefore, my readers will transpose the adjectives, and accept the old jokes for the sake of the new ones... Continue reading book >>




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