George Ade

Another notable birthday. From Minnesota Public Radio:

It's the birthday of writer George Ade, born near Kentland, Indiana (1866). He went to Purdue University and then became a newspaperman in Chicago. Then, in 1897, Ade got the idea to write a series of fables about modern characters using modern American vernacular. The first of these fables was "The Fable of Sister Mae Who Did As Well As Could Be Expected" and it was so popular that he wrote many more collected in his books Fables in Slang (1899) and More Fables (1900). Ade later said, "It was a great lark to write in slang—just like gorging on forbidden fruit."

George Ade also wrote, "A friend who is near and dear may in time become as useless as a relative."

I read Artie, Ade's novel-in-vernacular, a few years ago, and while I found it enjoyable, I've come to the realization that Ade is best in smaller doses--particularly his "fables." For a sampling of Ade's fables, check out Mister Ron's Basement, where Ron Evry podcasts two Ade pieces every weekend. Two of my favorites are "The Fable of the Author Who Was Sorry of What He Did to Willie" and "The Fearsome Feud Between the First Families". Wonderful stuff.