Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every Tuesday, you pick ten books on that week’s topic. And this week, we spotlight our ten favorite funny books. In no order of priority, here they are!
{1} The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
In a Victorian world where everyone’s brimming with insincerity and money-mindedness, Oscar Wilde talks about the importance of being earnest. No easy thing, when even wanting to be called ‘Earnest’ is going to make our heroes sweat with desperation. This was written as a play, but I personally felt reading the book was far funnier than watching it acted out in the 2002 movie.
{2} Tintin in Tibet by Herge
There are those who will disagree, saying The Castafiore Emerald and The Calculus Affair are so much funnier. There are those who will disagree because they think Herge’s depictions could be discriminatory. But if there’s one thing that makes Tintin in Tibet so hilarious, it is the number of epithets that Captain Haddocks comes up with in this one.
{3} Quick Service by P.G. Wodehouse
No, not Blandings Castle and no, not Jeeves (sometimes, I find Freddie too silly and Jeeves too haughty). But hits all the right notes. As usual, Wodehouse does wonders with his bag of imposters and henpecked husbands all locked up in a country house. It all starts with a beef-manufacturing tycoon wanting to steal a portrait — which several other people also want. Mayhem ensues, and much madcap laughter. Sadly, this particular book has not gone through the makeover that the other Wodehouse books have, so I have to put up a really old book cover.
{4} The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer
Put Wodehouse in the Regency Era, and what do you get? You get Georgette Heyer. Heyer excels at putting our heroines in priceless situations of confused identities, crazy adventures, absolutely laughtastic relatives and a sparkling comedy of manners. In Talisman Ring, a ring gets stolen, a naive girl runs away, a dangerous smuggler escapes, an architect makes bad drawings, the policemen get confounded, and Tristram refuses to ride in haste. This is the closest I can get to describing the plot. It is making me laugh even as I write it.
{5} The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf by Gerald Morris
The odd impish Roger from The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf has a dry sort of wit and knowing-ness that always has the last word. His humor is sadly Not Appreciated by his audience, let me tell you. But for the reader, it is all sorts of fun. In fact, all of Morris’s The Squire’s Tales series are excellent comic takes on the Arthurian Knights.
“I said you lie, knave!” shouted Beaumains, drawing his sword. “And for telling such craven falsehoods, you must die!”
The knight looked plaintively at Roger. “What’s wrong with this fellow?”
“He was dropped on his head when he was a baby,” answered Roger.”
{6} Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West
I reviewed this here recently. Quoting from the review: “It’s a hilarious relook at old blockbuster movies, with tons of punchlines thrown in. Nobody is spared and every single movie trope and trick is held to the microscope for a close and hysterically funny analysis. Trust me, this book makes you laugh like crazy. Pick it up on one of those downer days, and watch your gloom evaporate.”
{7} William the Fourth by Richmal Crompton
Not to be confused by the old King William! The TV series on this, must really watch that one!
series by Crompton deals with the exploits of young rascal William. The book blurb for the fourth book in the series says it best: “ .” Truer words were never spoken, haha. I recently found out there’s also a{8} Social Climber’s Bible: A Book of Manners, Practical Tips, and Spiritual Advice for the Upwardly Mobile by Dirk Wittenborn & Jazz Johnson
This is a social satire masquerading as a parody self-help book. Dale Carnegie wrote How To Make Friends and Influence People, and Wittenborn gives it a dark, manic touch as “ “. There really is no other explanation for the outlandish suggestions in the book, for hobnobbing at auctions and cocktail parties. All of this in a deadpan comical way. The oddest part is that it has a grain of truth. People do say these kinds of ludicrous things and behave in attention-seeking ways and lie outrageously to win over others.
{9} Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck
Whoever knew Steinbeck wrote something so chortle-worthy? This is Steinbeck’s take on Camelot, as Danny and his band have all kinds of misadventurous fun in Tortilla Flat (a paisano district that sits upon a hillside above Monterey). The characters want to do good from time to time, but wine and women often get in the way. It’s very different from Steinbeck’s usual grim work, and while there’s always underlying sorrow, there’s also much mirth and poetry in this one.
{10} To say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
This book gets its title from that old comic classic, Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) by Jerome K. Jerome. Willis has penned a hilarious book about Ned Henry’s unfortunate time travel trip to Victorian England. Poor Ned has been hastily recruited to fix some time travel problems related to a Victorian era cat, but hasn’t been given proper instructions how to fix it. He really has to bumble his way through things, and that’s what makes the book so much fun. To say nothing of the dog in the book.
What do you think? Have you read these funny books before? Which ones would you recommend?
43 replies on “Ten Favorite Funny Books”
I’ve never read The Importance of Being Earnest! Someday I should.
My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-books-that-made-me-laugh-out-loud/
The Importance of Being Earnest was hilarious to read! I think my husband and I attempted to watch the movie but I fell asleep. I had to look twice to make sure you really included a Steinbeck book in a list of funny novels. I’ve grown to appreciate Steinbeck as I get older but he’s usually so grim. Now that I think about it, there were a few lines that made me laugh in Travels with Charley though. I haven’t read Tortilla Flat so I’ll have to give it a try.
Exactly, both on the movie (which made you sleepy) and Steinbeck proving he can write humor too.
Gotta love Tintin! It’s been ages since I read them, but I’d love to rediscover them
Hi Lex! If Elza didn’t highjack my post, we would have had a few in common. The importance of being Earnest, Three Men in a Boat and of course Wodehouse!
Aaah Tin Tin!!
Love all your choices!
I think our reading (and movie) tastes are similar in many ways
I really have to read Georgette Heyer one of these days. Her books sound awesome.
They are! Start with Frederica / Grand Sophy / Arabella. Or even Devil’s Cub
To Say Nothing Of the Dog is a favorite by Willis.
I didn’t take part this week, but Wodehouse and Heyer would be on my list too. The Talisman Ring is a great one, although I would probably have chosen The Convenient Marriage. And I loved The Importance of Being Earnest! I think the original 1952 adaptation is funnier than the 2002 one.
Ooh, I haven’t seen the 1952 version, must check that out. And come to think of it, The Convenient Marriage is also so funny! Especially those last bits, with silly/ drunk brother and his friend… Haha, you’re right!
The Importance of Being Earnest is soooo funny. It’s one of my favorite plays!
I really need to read To Say Nothing of the Dog! I like Connie Wilis a lot
I used to LOVE the TinTin books! Thanks for reminding me of them
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I love Tintin in tibet! And Castafiore emerald, TBH, but they’re different books and different focus. This is making me want to go read Tibet again.
Haha. I think I’ve been quoting Tintin far too much these days, mainly because I’m doing a re-read!
Shit, Actually looks like something I need on my TBR ASAP!! I’ve never heard of it but I feel like I need it. haha
Yes! It’s a wonderful book. The best part is you don’t even need to have seen the movies to appreciate the funny commentary on them. West is just laugh out loud funny. Too funny!
Great list! My dad is a big P.G. Wodehouse fan and I’ve never heard him mention that book, so I’ll have to mention it to him. The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf sounds like so much fun!
I’m glad I was able to tell you about Quick Service. I found it quite by chance, in one of those “Best of Wodehouse” volumes. And as for Savage Damsel, I wish I could get more people to read it, because it really is a witty delight and one of my go-to comfort reads.
Some great books there, I’ve read a few of them (or others by that author). Good choices.
Thanks for visiting my TTT earlier.
I just finally read The Importance of Being Earnest, and loved it. So clever and funny. I’ve had a copy of the Connie Willis book on my shelf for years — I had no idea it was funny. That makes me want to read it more! This is a great list!
Glad you liked it. I remember you like Princess Floralinda? Then you’ll definitely like To say nothing…
I can’t believe I missed the Importance of Being Earnest! And I almost put that Connie Willis book on my list but I went with something else. I need to read those again.
I love how you included so many old classics!! They sound so fun!
Writing about them was also fun
Oh wow, I remember reading The Importance of Being Earnest in school at one point — definitely a funny play, even without having to watch it!
Oh yeah! I remember they did a play back at my school too. Haha, seems to have been a favorite
The Importance of Being Earnest always makes me laugh. As does Georgette Heyer. (And Wodehouse, too!) And Tortilla Flat is one I keep meaning to read. Great list!
Always good to meet another Heyer/ Wodehouse fan
Nice list! I’ll have a look at my shelf, I don’t think I’ll come up with mich for this week’s topic.
I‘ve read quite a few Tintin books back in the middle ages, over 30 years ago. Tibet might have been one of them, I‘m not sure… and I‘ve been meaning to read Connie Willis for a while now. One of these days I‘ll get to it.
Yeah, I’m doing a Tintin re-read these days, and Haddock and group just keep cracking me up. And so I end up mentioning them on almost *every* single thing I post. I really need to stop doing that, sheesh!
“Shit, Actually” sounds great, I’m absolutely adding that to my TBR!
Oh, you’ll die laughing over that one! It’s one book where everyone will find something to laugh about. I really can’t recommend it enough. The title itself is a parody on the movie “Love, Actually” — a movie I really liked, and then I read West’s book and I couldn’t believe the things I’d been missing
There are several books I would like to read from this list: the Georgette Heyer book, Tortilla Flat, and Three Men in a Boat, although the last one isn’t really on your list.
That’s true. Three Men in a Boat is funny, but not one of my top ten!
I love The Importance of Being Earnest. The movie was great, too.
Tintin and Wodehouse, yes, lol!!
I loved the Importance of Being Ernest. Nice pick.
Lynn
Okay, a few of these are definitely making their way onto my TBR pile, but especially Quick Service. I’ve been getting more into Wodehouse lately—especially Jeeves—so this sounds pretty perfect right now.
Ooh, then you should totally pick up Quick Service. It is madcap, too many cooks spoil the broth theme! (Sorry for the late reply, many tech isses at my end, sheesh!)
I’m going to take note of all of these! I’ve only read To Say Nothing of the Dog and that was a delightful book. I was a bit skeptical at first because after I read it, I was like what took me so long. Unfortunately I have not read another Connie Willis book. I must read another!
Me too, I have to try out others by Willis. Many people recommended her Miracles and Other Stories — which I’m eager to try out!