The Thurber Carnival. Illustrated

The Thurber Carnival is a delightful and essential collection of stories, essays, fables, and cartoons from one of America's greatest humorists, James Thurber. Blending sharp wit, absurdity, and subtle insight, this anthology showcases Thurber’s unique ability to find the comic—and often poignant—undertones in everyday life.

Drawn from various stages of his career, the pieces in this volume include some of Thurber’s most beloved works, such as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Catbird Seat, The Night the Bed Fell, and The Macbeth Murder Mystery. Each story displays his trademark humor: understated, surreal, and often laced with melancholy.

Beyond short fiction, the book features essays that parody social conventions, relationships, and modern anxieties, as well as whimsical fables with unexpected morals. Thurber's instantly recognizable cartoons, filled with neurotic dogs, befuddled men, and eccentric women, provide a visual counterpart to his written wit.

First published in 1945, The Thurber Carnival is more than just a collection—it's a curated celebration of Thurber’s contribution to American letters. Whether he’s capturing the quiet desperation of a daydreaming everyman or poking fun at societal norms, Thurber’s voice remains as relevant and entertaining today as it was in his time.

Perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike, this collection serves as an ideal introduction to Thurber’s imaginative world—where chaos meets logic, and laughter is never far from truth.