Nothing to Eat: Poetry Guide and Free Edition
Nothing to Eat: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Nothing to Eat is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Alger, Horatio, Jr. (1832–1899); Haliburton, Thomas Chandler (1796–1865).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Nothing to Eat" by Horatio Alger and Thomas Chandler Haliburton is a satirical poem published in the mid-19th century, specifically in 1857. This book blends humor with social commentary, addressing themes like wealth, fashionable society, and the absurdities found within both. The narrative highlights the disconnect between the experiences of the wealthy and the common folk, particularly focusing on the juxtaposition of luxurious living and the anxieties surrounding food and sustenance. The poem revolves around Mrs. Merdle, a character who embodies the contradictions of high society. Hosting a dinner, she complains about her lack of adequate food while simultaneously indulging in lavish courses, criticizing her husband's pursuit of wealth even as she enjoys their status. Through Mrs. Merdle's dialogue and musings, readers witness a blend of mockery and irony, exploring the folly of wealth and the superficiality of social norms. It critiques the obsession with appearance and fashion, showing how individuals suffer under the pressure of maintaining a particular lifestyle, all the while lamenting their supposed privations. Ultimately, the poem questions what it means to truly 'have nothing to eat' in a world filled with excess.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Nothing to Eat
- Author credits: Alger, Horatio, Jr. (1832–1899); Haliburton, Thomas Chandler (1796–1865)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Poetry
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Humour
- Category: Poetry
- Children's Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


