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Far Side Collection #10
Wildlife Preserves
Yet again, the author puts his odd sense of humour in gear with all manner of humans and animals - and some strange mixtures - being subject to death and mayhem at his hands. The Far Side cartoons feature in many newspapers including the Evening Standard and the Sunday Express.
104 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1989
About the author
Gary Larson
127 books685 followersGary Larson was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. His parents were Vern, a car salesman, and Doris, a secretary. He attended Curtis High School before attending Washington State University and graduated in 1972 with a degree in communications. In 1987, Larson married Toni Carmichael, an archaeologist.
Larson credits his older brother Dan for his "paranoid" sense of humor. Dan would pull countless pranks on Gary, taking advantage of his phobia of monsters under the bed by, for example, waiting in the closet for the right moment to pounce out at Gary. Dan is also credited with giving Gary his love of science. They caught animals in Puget Sound and placed them in terrariums in the basement; even making a small desert ecosystem, which their parents apparently did not mind. His adept use of snakes in his cartoons stems from his long-standing interest in herpetology.
Since retiring from the Far Side, Larson has occasionally done some cartooning work, such as magazine illustrations and promotional artwork for Far Side merchandise.
In 1998, Larson published his first post-Far Side book, There's a Hair in My Dirt!: A Worm's Story, an illustrated story with the unmistakable Far Side mindset.
Larson credits his older brother Dan for his "paranoid" sense of humor. Dan would pull countless pranks on Gary, taking advantage of his phobia of monsters under the bed by, for example, waiting in the closet for the right moment to pounce out at Gary. Dan is also credited with giving Gary his love of science. They caught animals in Puget Sound and placed them in terrariums in the basement; even making a small desert ecosystem, which their parents apparently did not mind. His adept use of snakes in his cartoons stems from his long-standing interest in herpetology.
Since retiring from the Far Side, Larson has occasionally done some cartooning work, such as magazine illustrations and promotional artwork for Far Side merchandise.
In 1998, Larson published his first post-Far Side book, There's a Hair in My Dirt!: A Worm's Story, an illustrated story with the unmistakable Far Side mindset.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 7, 2022
Absurd classics.
June 10, 2012
I will still prefer Calvin and Hobbes any day.
This is a fun read though I missed some action being an Indian and an ignorant vis-a-vis American folklore.
This is a fun read though I missed some action being an Indian and an ignorant vis-a-vis American folklore.
January 12, 2019
Yea I know, I'm cheating by picking a fast book but hey it was Shabbat and it was there in my pile of books I need to put up.
Over all it was very cute, I have several of the compilations which I inherited from an old professor of mine. Some of the jokes seem to be a bit beyond me just because sometimes I don't get specific humour, but others are quite funny.
Over all it was very cute, I have several of the compilations which I inherited from an old professor of mine. Some of the jokes seem to be a bit beyond me just because sometimes I don't get specific humour, but others are quite funny.
October 14, 2020
Published in 1989, Gary Larson was already a pretty popular cartoonist by the time that this particular collection was published, and this collection continues the author's interest in absurd situations and rather simple but appealing drawings. This book is about 100 pages and if you are familiar with the Far Side at all, you know what you are getting here. There are drawings of quirky animals acting like people and strange people. There is a look at the ancient world, and even a look at what it would be like if mountains were like people. Gary Larson shows an interest in waste management, the preservation of insects, and funny movies that demonstrate his off-kilter sense of humor. It's not as if there isn't anything here that is particularly unusual by the author's standards, but if you like the cartoon as a whole you know what you are getting here and it's going to be reliable and enjoyable as it usually is. If you like neanderthals carving up woolly watermelons and hummingbirds on vacation, this is a book you are likely to enjoy, but of course if you are reading this you probably like The Far Side a lot already.
December 12, 2021
Wildlife Preserves is another great collection of Gary Larson's The Far Side. I appreciate how many of his comics are an odd and sometimes surreal reimagining of different scientific, historical, cultural, or everyday topics that makes the reader stop and think for a moment.
The majority of his works will be evergreen for a long time since they cover concepts that are so well known. There were, however, a few cultural references that I will probably have to ask my parents about. Even after a cursory internet search about Karl Malden, I still don't understand the comic about him.
This book was a nice quick jog down memory lane. Despite that, I am ready to sell it to a used bookstore, so someone else can enjoy it. I have no desire to revisit this book in the future and I can get my Far Side fix whenever I want at thefarside.com.
The majority of his works will be evergreen for a long time since they cover concepts that are so well known. There were, however, a few cultural references that I will probably have to ask my parents about. Even after a cursory internet search about Karl Malden, I still don't understand the comic about him.
This book was a nice quick jog down memory lane. Despite that, I am ready to sell it to a used bookstore, so someone else can enjoy it. I have no desire to revisit this book in the future and I can get my Far Side fix whenever I want at thefarside.com.
February 13, 2023
This is the sixth Far Side collection (originally published in the UK in 1990 - I read the 1993 Futura edition), featuring cartoons from 1989 and, as ever, is full of some terrific panels. The opener - Al’s Meats truck about to hit a vegetarian café - properly sets the tone and my favourites include the carnivorous flower (and its collection of noses), Tethercat (there must have been complaints!), human egg deceptions, hot plates, tall men in a cinema, Styrofoam shoes and poor Carl, “Did I scare you or what?”, animal waste management, “I can’t smell a damn thing”, Jane Goodall, Accountant street gangs and the cat after being declawed. A brilliant collection and a fantastic read which I highly recommend.
December 30, 2017
Gary Larson. What else can one say.
April 13, 2018
The guys on the island kill me.
Larsen does it again.
Perfect bathroom reading.
Larsen does it again.
Perfect bathroom reading.
November 12, 2019
An OK read. A lot more misses than hits though
January 4, 2020
Some are off the wall, but you'll find plenty to laugh about.
January 18, 2021
Wonderfully goofy stuff which definitely influenced my sense of humor, especially for more absurdist stuff.
May 6, 2021
Far side gold, as always.
March 21, 2023
"Anatidaephobia: The fear that somewhere, somehow, a duck is watching you."
Excellent.
Excellent.
April 14, 2023
I love The Far Side comics! This book is full of hilarity bringing a smile to even the gloomiest of people.
November 9, 2019
A nice but brief distraction.
November 19, 2015
Wildlife Preserves is by one of the comic geniuses of our time. Gary Larson was master of the one shot. He always did everything in one panel, which is an art that is hard to achieve and be successful. What was great for me was that these were strips that I had never seen before, having missed them when they originally came out in the newspapers.
In my mind, no one reaches into their minds and pulls out observations of the wacky things humans do better than Gary Larson. If this book doesn't make you laugh out loud at least five times, then he has not done his job as a cartoonist. But have no fear, I found myself laughing out loud many more times than that.
So, if you are looking for a book of giggles and laughter, Wildlife Preserve is the book you have been searching for.
In my mind, no one reaches into their minds and pulls out observations of the wacky things humans do better than Gary Larson. If this book doesn't make you laugh out loud at least five times, then he has not done his job as a cartoonist. But have no fear, I found myself laughing out loud many more times than that.
So, if you are looking for a book of giggles and laughter, Wildlife Preserve is the book you have been searching for.
October 3, 2013
When I was working in any of the many bookstores where I was employed and I did not want (or have the time) to read my current book, I would grab one of these collections to read on my too short break. I slowly but surely worked my way through several series. These are great time killers and will usually improve your mood no matter how hectic the day. Laughter can be the best solution to dealing with the public.
One of the signs of a good humorist is the ability to look at something and see it from a differnt angle. Point of fact is this cover. Gary larson was a master at looking at things from different angles.
One of the signs of a good humorist is the ability to look at something and see it from a differnt angle. Point of fact is this cover. Gary larson was a master at looking at things from different angles.
February 3, 2017
Gary Larson is by far one of the most talented cartoonists. I loved reading the Far Side Collection in the paper and was very sad when he decided to retire. I came across this collection called "Wildlife Preserves" and had to rekindle the magic. If you are reading one of the Far Side books or calendars, please make sure to pay close attention to the details of the drawings because so much is being said even without the comment. I think one of my favorites in this particular book is the panel with the hunters and the lead dog with his nose to the ground...thought bubble above dog "I can't smell a thing" but he is leading them on. LOL
December 15, 2011
I didn't appreciate the humor of Gary Larson's Far Side comic strip until he retired. Thank goodness for these compilations of his work. In Wildlife Preserves a series of themes play out. There are the "so and so" family at home, the "so and so" and his xyz (like Aladdin's lamp, end table and sofa), the various cow jokes (because cows are funny), various bad puns ("Peelings, nothing more than peelings") and so on. Of course every female character wears the classic Larson horned rimmed glasses.
November 29, 2008
Gary Larson had an amazing talent for creating the humour that I love.
This is the sort of book that you can leave on a shelf in the toilet [bathroom] for all those spending a minute or two there to peruse.
He is greatly missed, but his art and humour lives on..
This is the sort of book that you can leave on a shelf in the toilet [bathroom] for all those spending a minute or two there to peruse.
He is greatly missed, but his art and humour lives on..
May 6, 2010
Another collection of very clever cartoons by Gary Larson!
March 30, 2012
It's been a long time since I read a Larson collection. I'd forgotten how funny they are.
July 10, 2017
This was so crazy and hilarious.. Made my day. Still can't believe how can one person produce a book with such a variety in subjects and they all were so funny and appealing.
January 6, 2014
The best of the bunch: "They found Wayne." :)
January 22, 2014
Gary Larson at his best!
June 9, 2016
Another enjoyable Far Side book!
June 22, 2008
Read this in the car on the drive home from MA. Funny as always.
August 21, 2010
Had a lot of repeat cartoons from other collections.
September 15, 2015
Good collection of new and old favorites, quite funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews