Oxymoronica is essentially a collection of oxymoronic and paradoxical quotes throughout history as assembled by Dr. Mardy Grothe. Dividing the book and the collection into 14 separate entries (literature, politics, wit & wisdom, etc.), Grothe gives introductions to each category and giving examples to the part of the collection he is emphasizing before finished the last half of the chapter with quotes from various sources. Though Grothe tries to bring context and interest to each topical entry, it sometimes comes off as pompous. Overall the collection is pretty interesting, but it’s not the greatest read. ( )

I really wanted to like this, and it's a linguistic and humor structure that should be exactly my speed. Unfortunately (for me) the writing style is of a sort I just can't stand. The actual examples are lovely, and for folks who enjoy the style, I expect it'll be perfect. Just... not for me. ( )

A nice collection of quotes, quick, easily readable. Amusing but nothing spectacular or amazing. ( )

This was an ejoyable read, with lots of humor and insight reflected in the quotations. I especially liked the ones on marriage and family and the chapter on inadvertent oxymoronica (Sam Goldwyn telling Cary Grant to gallop off in all directions is pretty funny, as are most of Yogi Berra's quotes). ( )

‘Oxymoron’ is one of those words we learn at school to define a contradiction in terms, and by the time you reach matric you know better than to use phrases such as fiery cold or pale black.

The definition of Oxymoronica is quotations that ‘contain incompatible or incongruous elements’ – even everyday terms like ‘pretty ugly’, ‘jumbo shrimp’ or ‘acting naturally’.

The undisputed master of the witty paradox was Oscar ‘to be natural is a very difficult pose to keep up’ Wilde, followed by George Bernard ‘I claim to be a conscientiously immoral writer’ Shaw, which has caused many to believe the oxymoron originated with late 19th Century Irish writers.

However, although the term did not appear in English until 1640, the concept is as old as the written word, with Aesop stating way back in the 6th Century BC: We would often be sorry if our wishes were granted.

Confucius, the Bible, the Greeks, the Romans, St Augustus – the still unnamed oxymoron just got more and more popular: Shakespeare, as we know, penned some real zingers, the most quoted probably being ‘Parting is such sweet sorrow’ [Romeo and Juliet].

The most entertaining way of reviewing this book would be simply to quote about 800 words worth of quotations but then readers might simply keep the review instead of buying the book – and this is really a book you should own.

A collection of ‘1,400 of the most provocative quotations of all time’ is irresistibly readable: moreover, at some stage even the most confirmed philistine will have need of a collection of pithy, quirky sayings.

‘Sex, Love and Romance’ is ideal for engagement parties – ‘A man chases a woman until she catches him’ [Anon] – while ‘Marriage, Home and Family Life’ – ‘After winning an argument with his wife, the wisest thing a man can do is apologise’ [Anon] – is perfect for a wedding speech.

If you are forced into a political discussion, lighten the atmosphere with a few quotes, such as ‘No Government can be long secure without a formidable opposition’ [ANC, are you listening?] by Benjamin Disraeli, or William Whitelaw: The Labour Party [substitute with the DA or COPE] is going about the country stirring up apathy’.

Everyone has a favourite oxymoron from stage and screen: my Oscar for best quote goes to George Burns with ‘Acting is all about honesty. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.’ While Samuel ‘we pay him too much but he’s worth it’ Goldwyn gets the Lifetime Achiever award. Posthumously.

The chapter on oxymoronic insults is so wonderful one is tempted to quote it verbatim: Deep down, he’s shallow [Anon], He had nothing to say and he said it [Ambrose Bierce], he has not a single redeeming defect [Disraeli again], He has delusions of adequacy [Walter Kerr], A genius with the IQ of a moron [Gore Vidal] and on and on and on….

But this is a review not a list: the chapter on oxymoronic advice will prove invaluable to anyone giving a birthday speech, no matter what the age of the celebrant. Nobody actually wants unsolicited advice which is why quotations like ‘I always advise people never to give advice’ [the incomparable PG Wodehouse] will always be popular.

The Literary Life contains the following gem by Barbara Kingsolver: Write a nonfiction book and be prepared for the legions of readers who are going to doubt your facts. But write a novel and get ready for the world to assume every word is true.”

Some of the least witty but most funny entries are in the final chapter, Inadvertent Oxymorons, and it is here that American politicians – especially Republican presidents – come into their own: the George Bushes, father and son, are well represented, as are Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Don Quale, although Gerald Ford takes the cake with ‘If Lincoln were alive today, he’d roll over in his grave’.

Fascinating and a fantastic source of quotes, Oxymoronica is not only a must read but a must own, and thoroughly recommended. ( )