Love Conquers All

Robert Benchley was America's professor of the obvious, and this collection proves he taught the best lessons in the best style. Here, through essays and sketches so perfectly observed they hurt, he dismantles the rituals of modern life with devastating politeness. Whether he's解剖ing the psychology of the cocktail party, explaining why certain letters shouldn't be written after 2am, or simply describing the terror of being asked to summarize a book you've just read, Benchley operates in a territory only he could claim: comedy that feels like wisdom, delivered by a man who clearly knows exactly how absurd everything is and cannot forgive himself for knowing it. The title essay alone, about the various forms love takes and the chaos that ensues, reads like a masterclass in comedic structure. These are pieces to be savored slowly, preferably with the drink of your choice nearby.