David McKie: A little light versifying
Lear celebrates, even venerates, absurdity, especially absurdity practised in the face of public scorn…
The reversionary limerick, as practised by Lear, failed to catch on because it needed a Lear to fashion it.
[A review of Routledge’s recent facsimile reprint of the 1861 Book of Nonsense.Thanks to Julie Rybicki.]
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