The world of Alphonse Allais

"Alphonse Allais has been described as the greatest humorous writer France ever produced, and Jean Cocteau called him 'the prince of storytellers,' yet he has hardly been heard of in England -- for the simple reason that he has never before been translated into English. Because his humour is too French? On the contrary, the French have always felt there was something a little too English about Allais...This selecton of some seventy pieces, translated and introduced by Miles Kington, literary editor of Punch, brings the full range of his inspired virtuosity to an English audience (perhaps his true audience?) for the first time" -- Front jacket flap.