Norman Hunter (1) (1899–1995)

I remember reading this as a child in the orange and black Penguin edition. I'm not sure why. It must have been something to do with the absurdity of the inventions and the language. Later I picked up a copy of the 75th diamond anniversary published by Red Fox in 2008 and read the chapter about the Professor borrowing a book. His absent-mindedness leads to him borrowing and losing 14 copies of the same book: The life and likings of a lobster. He manages to borrow the book from 14 libraries in Pagwell. This is absurd, of course. Which town has as many as 14 branch libraries today? Suspending my disbelief I read in and was greatly amused by the ending. All the copies were in the Professor's house, classified and placed on different shelves. The first paragraph is very good too, describing the atmosphere of Great Pagwell library" 'Some of the library men were feeding the book worms, others were rubbing out the pencil marks that people aren't supposed to make on books but often do. Others were looking to see if anyone had left anything useful in the books, which they never do, only old bus tickets and things".… (mehr)

As sometimes happens, a random conversation at work about lost glasses led to me talking about a book I'd read at school MANY years ago. I never forgot daft old Prof Branestawm and his five pairs of glasses, including one pair to help him find the other four. Maybe it was just the rose-colored hue of nostalgia, but I remembered having enjoyed the stories - first read to the class by a favorite teacher, then re-read for myself.
The conversation led me to look up Branestawm on the library catalogue, to find that only two titles were available - both from reserve store. I requested them and have been reading the short stories at the bus stop on the way to and from work.
They are most definitely dated. The story of the lost library books could NOT happen today, with every copy having its own unique bar code and number.
But they are still fun.
The original absent-minded nutty Professor, Branestawm is delightfully silly, Deadshott is pompous, Flittersnoop is flighty.
It is a slice of the past, and I'm glad I revisited it.… (mehr)