Paperweight

This collection of his occasional work gives me that feeling more than his novels or his stage performances. Reading the book, I knew he was the wittiest writer in the room. I didn't need him constantly reminding me, if you know what I mean.


Very Amusing   October 10, 2003
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

If you enjoy Fry's humour (and in many respects even if you don't) you will simply love this colleciton of newspaper essays and radio transcripts. I've always enjoyed Fry's intelligent humour and it is on show here better than anywhere else.

I would say the highlight of the book is a series of transcripts of Donald Trefusus a university professor covering all manner of strange topics.

It's a strange book to try and explain, and I don't think I've done a very good job myself, so I'll just say that it is well worth owning - you will not be disappointed.


Disappointing at first   January 3, 2002
 7 out of 11 found this review helpful

I have enjoyed all Stephen Fry's novels and I especially loved his autobiography, so I looked forward to reading 'Paperweight' with relish. However, I was rather disappointed. I found the first part of the book (consisting of the ramblings of Donald Trefusis and other characters) to be entirely boring and I found myself skipping pages to avoid reading them. I was much relieved to find that the later articles and musings of Stephen Fry were just as I'd come to expect of the author! Thankfully, I found myself laughing out loud at several of his opinions and ideas and I read with wonder, the many long-winded and unheard of (by me, anyway!) words, contemplating where on earth they had originated from! From here onwards, I found I had to keep picking the book up in order to read a little further, until I had reached the end. Apart from the seemingly boring beginning, this is a book for lovers of Stephen Fry.