Black Scat author and translator Doug Skinner recently informed us about a book of poems he’s reading by Raoul Ponchon. One poem in particular struck his fancy as it’s about the conservative French drama critic Francisque Sarcey (1827-1899). The poem — “Our Uncle’s Aunt” — mocks Sarcey, saying his reviews were influenced by his elderly aunt. Lucien Boucher‘s illustration .is reproduced here.
S
arcey was the frequent butt of jokes by artists and writers in the pages of the bohemian journal Le Chat Noir. But it was the brilliant humorist Alphonse Allais who took the mockery to extremes and single-handedly transformed the critic into an Ubuesque piñata in a series of columns published under Sarcey’s name. This sustained journalistic prank has been preserved in I AM SARCEY by Alphonse Allais — compiled and translated by Doug Skinner.
arcey was the frequent butt of jokes by artists and writers in the pages of the bohemian journal Le Chat Noir. But it was the brilliant humorist Alphonse Allais who took the mockery to extremes and single-handedly transformed the critic into an Ubuesque piñata in a series of columns published under Sarcey’s name. This sustained journalistic prank has been preserved in I AM SARCEY by Alphonse Allais — compiled and translated by Doug Skinner.
This is one of the funniest books we’ve ever published — and that’s saying a lot. If you’re looking for a hilarious example of black humor, don’t miss it.
Francisque Sarcey was the most influential drama critic in 1890s Paris — and the most conservative. He famously dismissed Alfred Jarry‘s 
