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Humor Adult

The Canadian Book of Snobs

by (author) Victoria Branden

Publisher
Dundurn Press
Initial publish date
Sep 1998
Category
Adult, General, General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780888821997
    Publish Date
    Sep 1998
    List Price
    $18.99
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459720299
    Publish Date
    Sep 1998
    List Price
    $7.99

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Description

Are you a snob? Then why not learn to do it right? Study this revolutionary work and become a Canadian Snob of Distinction!
Victoria Branden has traced the history of Snobbery from its pre-human roots to our own era, in our own country, and has enunciated the definitive Theory of Snobbery. She examines its evolution from its crude beginnings to its present confused state, with detailed study of the most important types of snobbery, distinguishing Goodsnobs from Badsnobs, experts from fumbling amateurs. Snobbery has influenced history at least as much as the invention of the wheel or the printing press, which were probably actually inspired by snob instincts.
Always staunchly patriotic, Ms. Branden has given particular attention to Canadian Snobs, who have been until this time gravely neglected in both life and literature, and has provided Canadian Snobmodels by which we can be guided to higher and better levels of Snobbery. She finds a certain lack of professionalism among Canadian Snobs: Snobbery is not acknowledged as an Olympic contender, and has received no recognition in this year’s "black budget." So there is much to be done, urgently! Branden has thoughtfully provided Snobexercises (video later) by which you can develop Snobmuscle. Careful study, with diligent practice and iron self-discipline, will help you to achieve great heights of Snob-expertise, using techniques and materials particularly suited to the Canadian climate and social mores.
Other how-to books claim to "make it easy" to succeed. We do not. Achieving Snob-distinction is hard, gruelling, and incessant work — but the rewards are incalculable. Any jerk can be a snob, and usually is. But to be a truly Great Snob, an upper-case Snob, a Snob who will go down in history like Beau Brummell or Oscar Wilde ah, that is attainable only by the few.

About the author

Victoria Branden, BA (Hon.), MA, taught English for many years. She has written numerous articles and short stories for newspapers and magazines, including Saturday Night and Chatelaine, as well as radio and TV dramas and series for the CBC. Her published books include Understanding Ghosts and two novels, Flitterin' Judas and Mrs. Job. She received the 1991 award as "Environmentalist of the Year" for articles on environmental issues, to which she is deeply committed.

Victoria Branden's profile page

Editorial Reviews

Remarkably researched and bursting with amusing anecdotes, the book offers snob education for the serious snob or wannabe.

The Canadian Press

Many of us will recognize bits of ourselves in these riotously funny pages...The Canadian Book of Snobs, written by Canadas snob expert par excellence, is delightful therapy for the socially challenged and is guaranteed to make one cringe, laugh, and then think.

CBRA

A fun, fascinating and deliciously nasty book.

The Canada Post

The author sweetens her medicine with broad parody, perhaps to disarm us via belly laughs. There is lots to hoot about in these pages...[This] tongue-in-cheek how-to guide offers enough options to satisfy absolute gluttons for snobbery.

The Hamilton Spectator

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