Do Not Disavow

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Do Not Disavow By: Rick Davis   When Charlemagne established law Salic in barb’rous land, The gospel flourished, and he saw Christ’s praise on every hand.   (“Do you approve his methods now?”) I do not disavow.   King Godfrey took Jerusalem From bloody paynim hands And brought a halt to Musselmen Invading Christian lands.   (“He did some mean things anyhow!”) I do not disavow.   King Richard with his scarlet shield And passant lions ‘bossed Rode forth again unto the field To regain what was lost.   (“His deeds at Acre you allow?”) I do not disavow.   Unto the Germans Luther brought The gospel full restored, And Calvin at Geneva taught The glory of the Lord.   (“The Jews? Servetus? Holy cow!”) I do not disavow.   Stonewall and Lee like knights of old Fought for their native soil, The true and lovely to uphold Against the tyrant’s spoil.   (“Those vile racists ...
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Zuleika Dobson: an Oxford Love Story

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Those busts of the old Roman emperors at Oxford knew that trouble was brewing the moment Zuleika Dobson set foot on that noble campus. If anyone had been paying attention, he would have seen those venerable marble gentlemen sweating profusely at the premonition of what was about to transpire. You see, Zuleika is no ordinary girl. She’s the sort of extraordinary girl that causes every man who comes in contact with her to fall madly in love. Unfortunately, she could never love the sort of man who loses his dignity by throwing himself at her. And so, Zuleika is bereft of love in the world.

Her latest victim is also the most admired student at Oxford, the Duke of Dorset, who determines to kill himself because Zuleika won’t love him. Upon hearing of his determination, the members of his elite club, also madly in love with Zuleika, decide to enter into this passion-driven suicide pact. And when the rest of the male student body hear about this, well…

The book progresses from here, a zany cross between the madcap antics of P.G. Wodehouse and the wry, sardonic humor of Hilaire Belloc. Everyone is crazy, old Oxfordian ghosts regularly pop in and out of the scenes, and, oh yes, there is a boat race. Having read this book, it’s no wonder that author Max Beerbohm was so popular in his day. If you’re a fan of early 20th century British humor, you need to run out and get a copy of Zuleika Dobson: an Oxford Love Story as soon as possible.

4/5 stars

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