A Modest Proposal and Other Satirical Works (Dover Thrift Editions)

Jonathan Swift was a satirical genius! His writing style is difficult to read, and it took me a while to parse his sentences and understand what he was trying to say, but it was hilarious once I got it! I originally bought this collection just for his "Modest Proposal" but I enjoyed all of the other works in this short collection as well.

Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is considered one of the greatest satirical works in the English language. Having recently taught this essay to two different groups of students, I can fully appreciate its varied approach to satire (Swift employs many devices, including irony, mock-heroic, and bathos). It's a quick read, but an essential one. This essay was written about the plight of the poor Irish trying to survive under the oppression of 18th Century England, an arrangement where England offered its protection, but in return seized their lands and dried up their resources. Still, Swift's jest points out a flaw that still exists today: the tendency for those who are comfortable to treat the poor like vermin or cattle instead of people.

Not as great as his famous Gulliver's Travels, but for those interested in his other writings a good snapshot.

Everyone has heard of A Modest Proposal. This made it very surprising when I found that the Battle of the Books by Swift is actually much better (it is included in this text). I good, small piece of literature. Worth buying.

What can I contribute to what has already been said about Jonathan Swift? A Modest Proposal exposed the harm and horror of the Irish famine - serving up epicurean delights to the rich while serving the modest interests of the poor. If you haven't read this long-ago written work, you are missing the depth of literary art taking on a challenge which ultimately helped produce a national conscience.

Excellent novel concerning a centuy or two of the experiences & perspectives of the people & the culture which brought forth the Revolution.

I received the book, as described, in a very timely manner!

The subject (eating human flash) is (strangely) being talked about now. How Is it possible that a satire written before the American revolution would be relevant in 2019 politics? Am I having a nightmare?

En fait, ce livre regroupe de nombreux essais satiriques de Swift et pour ceux qui aiment l'humour noir et le cynisme, vous serez servis. Par contre, je trouve l'édition pas terrible (papier cheap et texte trop dense).

Una satira davvero spassosa se non fosse tristissima. Jonathan Swift propone una (finta) storia per disfarsi dei bambini degli irlandesi poveri: arrivati a circa un anno vanno cotti e dati in pasto a personaggi abbienti in modo che si elimini la tristissima storia dei giovani indigenti affamati. Ai suoi tempi l'affare prese anche una strada sbagliata: molte persone protestarono violentemente tacciando il testo come un libello sbagliato e polemico senza capire che si trattava invece di una questione che Swift volle sollevare per risolvere diversamente un problema di fame e morte.

If you like satire, jut read these pieces to see how well it can be done. The title piece is a wonderful reductio ad absurdum, how to make clear how irrational a position is by taking it to the (il-)logical conclusion.

Good book

Very happy to receive this book quickly which was needed for University Class.