Thorne Smith was an American author celebrated for his humorous supernatural fantasy fiction. His works frequently delved into themes of sex, drinking, and magical transformations, presenting a daring blend for his time. Smith's distinctive style lies in his lighthearted approach to the supernatural, turning mundane situations into extraordinary adventures. His wit and playful subversion of conventions continue to entertain readers today.
The book represents a commitment to preserving and repairing classic literature, highlighting the importance of maintaining original works for future generations. It emphasizes the value of these timeless texts and the need for careful restoration to keep their legacy alive.
Thorne Smith is a master of urbane wit and sophisticated repartee. Topper, his best-known work, is the hilarious, ribald comedy on which the hit television show and movie (starring Cary Grant) were based.It all begins when Cosmo Topper, a law-abiding, mild-mannered bank manager, decides to buy a secondhand car, only to find it haunted by the ghosts of its previous owners--the reckless, feckless, frivolous couple who met their untimely demise when the car careened into an oak tree. The ghosts, George and Marion Kerby, make it their mission to rescue Topper from the drab "summer of suburban Sundays" that is his life--and they commence a series of madcap adventures that leave Topper, and anyone else who crosses their path, in a whirlwind of discomfiture and delight. As enchanting today as it was when first published in 1926, Topper has set the standard in American pop culture for such mischievous apparitions as those seen in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Heaven Can Wait, Beetlejuice, and Bewitched.
Thorne Smith gestaltet ein altes Thema, das sich in vielen Volksmärchen und Schwänken findet: die unzufriedenen Eheleute, die dadurch bestraft werden, dass jeder eine bestimmte Zeit lang die Rolle des anderen spielen muss. Freilich, wie er das am Beispiel des braven Pendlers Tim und der flotten grünen Witwe Sally zeigt, das macht ihm so leicht keiner nach. Denn die Abenteuer, die sich aus der seltsamen Verwandlung ergeben, sind typisch für Smiths aberwitzige Phantasie und genaue Kenntnis zwischenmenschlicher Verwicklungen.. Ein herrliches Lesevergnügen...
