Of the same name

[undyingking]

You might have heard the joke that X's books were in fact not written by X, but by another man of the same name. I find it interesting because, while being entertainingly silly as a proposition, it also asks a fairly serious question about what we mean by authorship and how historical record works. But that's not what this post is about! – I'm curious to know, as your recollection serves you:

[Poll #1666257]

Comments

[rufusfrog.livejournal.com]

Charles Dikkens! (Ethel the Aardvark goes quantity surveying). Not exactly what you're talking about - but in a similar vein: http://www.inprint.co.uk/thebookguide/bookshop-skit.htm

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Ah, I've never seen the full text of that sketch. Excellent, thanks!

[rufusfrog.livejournal.com]

I hadn't seen/heard it for years but your post triggered the memory. Indeed, I now see 'Rarnaby Budge' is the book by Charles Dikkens - it was ever Ethel the Aardvark in my head.

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Wonder if this is also the origin of the "with a silent Q" comic trope...