I know I have done so in the past, but I really must mention again how superb nearly anything by P. G. Wodehouse is. He combines immaculate use of language with genuine wit and hilarity. The books help me a great deal to switch off, as well as providing the very therapeutic service of making one smile and laugh out loud. The Jeeves and Wooster stories are well known, but I can also recommend the Blandings Castle books, with Lord Emsworth being a truly sublime character.
I borrowed from the library today the first series on video of Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie playing Jeeves and Wooster respectively, made in 1990 I believe. Haven't had a chance to watch any yet but have been informed that it is very good.
Am set over the next week or so to meet Mr. Mulliner, another character that Wodehouse created. Anyone else a fan of Wodehouse? Any recommendations regarding Wodehouse books? I'm only starting out but have heard the Psmith ones are excellent too.
On a more general note, the Wodehouse books have made me realise how refreshing and light hearted reading can be. The thread on classic books recently contained many weight tomes (as well as several that contained comedy); I wonder if more humourous books could be mentioned in this thread? My father considers Wodehouse to very much NOT be classed as literature, which, whether he has a point or otherwise, seems rather churlish. Can anyone recommend other suitably humourous books? Books that make you laugh?
T1000
Originally posted by bbarrFantastic book, I laughed out loud in many section. However, be prepared for a pretty long read, and lots of footnotes (you'll need two bookmarks, one for the footnotes, one for the text) and even footnotes of footnotes. And don't expect anything to be resolved at the end. But still a great book.
'Infinite Jest' by David Foster Wallace was, as the tile suggests, hilarious. I recommend it without reservation.
-mike
Originally posted by T1000My favorite of the Jeeves and Wooster stories is: Right Ho, Jeeves. One of the funniest books I've ever read. There's a chuckle on every page, with several overt guffaws liberally interspersed throughout. 🙂
I know I have done so in the past, but I really must mention again how superb nearly anything by P. G. Wodehouse is. He combines immaculate use of language with genuine wit and hilarity. The books help me a great deal to switch off, as well as providing the very therapeutic service of making one smile and laugh out loud. The Jeeves and Wooster stories are well ...[text shortened]... urlish. Can anyone recommend other suitably humourous books? Books that make you laugh?
T1000
Originally posted by legionnaireDid you see the Onion article on Wallace a couple weeks back? In not, here's the link:
Fantastic book, I laughed out loud in many section. However, be prepared for a pretty long read, and lots of footnotes (you'll need two bookmarks, one for the footnotes, one for the text) and even footnotes of footnotes. And don't expect anything to be resolved at the end. But still a great book.
-mike
http://www.theonion.com/onion3906/girlfriend_stops_reading.html
Just perfect.
from an intelectual standpoint he probably doesn't rate, but then again I find some of his humour very clever. ANd I know he steals his ideas from other areas - in fact most of his later books are satyres of other books, plays, films...
But, all that said, Terry Pratchett's Disc World novels have brought me many hours of joy. They aree the only books I can recall constantly making me laugh out load in public (I have yet to try P.G. Woodhouse), and being a reserved Englishman that's quite a feat.
I'd recommend starting at the start of the series ("The Light Fantastic", "The colour of Magic" and "Mort"😉, but almost all of his offerings have been, in my opinion, excellent. Easy to read, fun, funny books.
Originally posted by bbarrOh man, that's hilarious. They got him just right. I love the list of 88 numbered points of why he doesn't want a birthday party.
Did you see the Onion article on Wallace a couple weeks back? In not, here's the link:
http://www.theonion.com/onion3906/girlfriend_stops_reading.html
Just perfect.
-mike