Old Soak, and Hail And Farewell by Don Marquis is a collection of witty and humorous short stories that showcase the author's talent for clever wordplay and sharp observation of human nature. The protagonist, Old Soak, is a lovable and bumbling character who often finds himself in hilarious situations due to his penchant for alcohol.

Marquis's writing style is engaging and entertaining, with each story filled with clever dialogue and clever twists that keep the reader entertained from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become engrossed in their antics and misadventures.

While the stories are light-hearted and amusing, Marquis also sprinkles in moments of reflection and insight that give the collection depth and substance. Overall, Old Soak, and Hail And Farewell is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of humor and classic literature.

Book Description:
Published in 1921 , "Hail and Farewell" is a collection of poems in honour of alcohol, drunkenness, and all things related.

In "The Old Soak", an old codger grumbles and connives to get alcohol in the age of Prohibition. Part is narrative, and part is installments from The Old Soak's papers.
“I'm writing a diary. A diary of the past. A kind of gol-dinged autobiography of what me and Old King Booze done before he went into the grave and took one of my feet with him. In just a little while now there won't be any one in this here broad land of ours, speaking of it geographically, that knows what an old-fashioned barroom was like. They'll meet up with the word, future generations of posterity will, and wonder and wonder and wonder just what a saloon could have resembled, and they will cudgel their brains in vain, as the poet says."
“Have you got any of it written?” we asked him. “Here's the start of it,” said he.
We present it just as the Old Soak penned it. - Summary by TriciaG & from the text