Errors and Omissions

Now that we are nearing the midway point of the book, (well, technically YOU are nearing the midway point, I admittedly have some work to do) I thought this might be a good time make a few corrections on some glaring errors we (or more technically you…well, you and your alter ego von Wordenrhyme) have made to this point.

Point 1: Wordenrhyme’s visit to our blog. I hold no grudge against him and his scathing review of my early poetic works. Hansel von Wordenrhyme has always been a stickler for form and meter. (I don’t know how many times I heard him say “If it doesn’t rhyme, don’t waste my time.” and “If it don’t scan, you can expect a pan.”) He couldn’t deal with my liberal use of free verse. I guess I just got a little to real for him.

Point 2: I did not have curry on my face!

It’s funny that you should mention a passage that reminded you of me. I too came across a passage in Slawkenbergius’s Tale section that I thought was befitting of you:

“Longa via est! respondit hospes, nisi plurimum esset negoti.” (pg 222)

Like you, I am sure its supposed to be funny, but I just don’t get it. (And it’s in Latin!)

Let me just say, a few more mentions of Samuel Johnson in this book could really liven things up. Maybe Dr. J could visit Shandy Hall and describe his dismay at finding no trees in Scotland.

Well, I am glad we got those things cleared up.

Justin

The End of Book IV

I made it!

And of all the surprising things I found myself liking our ever-rambling narrator at the end of this book (usually I think he’s kind of pain). I believe it was this quotation that tipped the scales in his favor:

“And nos that you have just got to the end of these four volumes–the thing I have to ask is, how you feel your head? my own aches dismally” (p.358)

The story is as hard for Shandy to tell as it for me to read. Bring on the chapters on whiskers and buttonholes…we’re going to get through this together Shandy!

And I picked out a quotation that made me think of you as well twin brother. Here it is:

“it fell perpendicularly into that aperture of Phutatorius’s breeches for which, to the shame and indelicacy of our language be it spoke, there is no chaste word throughoutall Johnson’s dictionary” (p. 339)

Cameo appearance by you literary BFF! And because Phutatorius is getting things spilled on him (curry on your face!).

I hope the Baron’s response did not bring up too many bad memories…but you know how it is when that man takes umbrage. I personally like Poesy Does It.

Well I’m off to do library things…

Your twin,
Jon