W. S. Gilbert

W. S. Gilbert, full name Sir William Schwenck Gilbert, was an English dramatist, librettist, poet, and illustrator best known for his collaboration with composer Arthur Sullivan. The Gilbert and Sullivan operas, such as 'The Pirates of Penzance', 'H.M.S. Pinafore', and 'The Mikado', are celebrated for their satirical wit, clever wordplay, and memorable melodies. Gilbert's sharp humor and strong sense of stage direction played a significant role in shaping modern musical theatre.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Complete Plays Of Gilbert And Sullivan

    This collection brings together the witty and whimsical operatic works that emerged from the celebrated collaboration between a librettist and a composer, which captivated Victorian England and continue to delight audiences today. The book contains the complete texts of their satirical and comic operas, known for their clever wordplay, memorable melodies, and incisive social commentary. From tales of love aboard a British ship to the topsy-turvy world of a land where flirting is a capital offense, these plays skewer the foibles of society, politics, and culture, all while entertaining with their unique blend of humor and song.

    The 7152nd Greatest Book of All Time
  2. 2. Bab Ballads

    The collection in question is a series of whimsical and satirical poems, originally penned for a Victorian-era magazine before being compiled into a book. These verses, often accompanied by the author's own comical illustrations, present a quirky and irreverent look at the follies and foibles of English society. The poems are characterized by their playful use of language, surprising twists, and a sharp wit that skewers the pretensions and absurdities of the author's contemporaries, all while maintaining a light-hearted and entertaining tone.

    The 7152nd Greatest Book of All Time