(Redirected from Charles Pooter)
'''Diary of a Nobody''', an
English comic
novel written by
George Grossmith and illustrated by his brother
Weedon, first appeared in the magazine ''
Punch'' in
1888 –
89, and was printed in book form in
1892. It is considered a classic work of humour.
The
diary is that of Mr Charles Pooter, a lower
middle-class man, a
city clerk, with modest social pretensions. Other characters include his wife Carrie (Caroline), his son Lupin, his friends Mr Cummings and Mr Gowing, and Lupin's unsuitable
fiancée, Daisy Mutlar. The
humour derives from Pooter's unconscious gaffes and self-importance, as well as the snubs he receives from those he considers socially inferior (i.e. tradesmen). The book has spawned the word "Pooterism" to describe a tendency to take oneself excessively seriously.
[1]
An audio version was produced, performed by
Arthur Lowe. In 1964,
Ken Russell directed a
black and white film adaption for
BBC 2, with
Bryan Pringle in the title role.
A TV version of the novel appeared on BBC2 in 1979, and another on
BBC Four in 2007, starring
Hugh Bonneville as Charles Pooter.
References
1. Guardian Unlimited: It's uncut, leftwing and Pooterish
External links
★
Website of "Diary" materials and criticism
★
★
librivox audio recording
★
The Complete Diaries, with Illustration.