Current Puns
Why does our language groan with the weight of puns? What exactly is a pun? And who, or what, is the Thief of Bad Gags?
Metaphor
The English language is chock-full of maritime metaphors: cock up, taken aback, chip on your shoulder, and show a leg. And, with the help of a Greek removals firm, we also find the origin of the word 'metaphor'.
Quotation
The uses and misuses of quotations are revealed, and there is also a frank confession from a quotation compiler, which we cannot divulge here.
Cliché
Featuring sick parrots and the cliché crisis that affected the writing of Flaubert, Joyce, and Eliot, and helped shape modern language and culture.
©2008 Testbed Audio Ltd; (P)2009 BBC Audiobooks Ltd
"Stephen Fry never lets you down"
Yet another piece of genius from Mr Fry. This was educational, funny, entertaining. Finding out the origins of everyday phrases and sayings was an eye-opener in many cases. Fans of Stephen Fry and of the English language will enjoy this.
"The Title Rings True- Fry hits the Right Notes"
I seem to be going through a 'Fry phase' at the moment, as I've just finished the entire series of 'Stephen Fry in America', watched many episodes of 'Jeeves And Wooster' & have listened to his excellent 'Stephen Fry Presents - Short Stories by Anton Chekhov'. I've even watched his videos debating alongside Christopher Hitchens & have yet to find him annoying, snobbish or arrogant, but rather the model of a renaissance man.
Overall I found this lived up to expectations & moves me one stage closer to wanting to explore his books again (which initially put me off his work). As yet, I'm still to find anything from Fry's second-wind that hasn't appealed & educated in equal measure. Here's hoping the sequel is as good...
P.S. If you want to see reviews of the individual sections, please do a search for 'Fry's English Delight' & it should bring them up on page two. The sections are (in order):
1. 'Current Puns'
2. 'Metaphor'
3. 'Quotation'
4. 'Cliche'
"Fry's English Delight"
Interesting, fast pace, very funny. You have to pay attention to listen and it's easy to miss bits, but what can you expect from a radio show?
"Very Enjoyable"
If you like English and you like Stephen Fry you will certainly enjoy this. It wasn't the most exciting book I've ever listened too, but it's a nice little gem that will make you giggle several times.
"Worth re-listening MANY times"
It's great when you find a radio show that is so engaging, interesting and educational that you just HAVE to listen to it again and again, and this is such an example
The show goes from strength to strength, with Stephen Fry giving the overview and experts in the fields along with comedians - this is just a complete and utter joy to listen to
If you love the English language, this radio show in an audio book is a MUST buy - I'm only dropping to 4 stars because it's so short, if it was longer I could enjoy more of the information that the show imparts, and give it all 5 stars
"I love Stephen Fry"
I really do.