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Original poster

Help me find a very very funny book

69 replies

lolbrador · 14/01/2020 22:03

Hello

Feeling a bit down in the dumps, can anyone recommend any books that are very funny?

Can be fiction or non fiction.

I'm finding my current read about everyday life in dickens London very interesting but rather gloomy, I shall revisit once the January blues blow over.

Thanks in advance Smile

OP posts:
IlsSortLaPlupartAuNuitMostly · 15/01/2020 22:39

I’d seconf Good Omens, To Say Nothing of the Dog, and Three Men In A Boat. Adam Kay is funny but will not cheer you up.

New recommendation - hard to beat for pure unmitigated silliness are the “The Pirates In An Adventure With...” books by Gideon Defoe

Idontkowmyname · 15/01/2020 22:33

@lolbrador how did you get on?

eurochick · 15/01/2020 14:48

The Bill Bryson travel books are properly laugh out loud funny.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 15/01/2020 13:05

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. The funniest book I have ever read. And re-read.

DancelikeEmmaGoldman · 15/01/2020 12:59

Nora Ephron’s Heartburn and Connie Willis’s To Say Nothing of the Dog (which is loosely based on Three Men in a Boat), are my favourite funny books.

I’m also fond of Georgette Heyer’s dialogue, she’s so often deliciously funny - The Talisman Ring is my favourite there.

Greenteandchives · 15/01/2020 12:33

Definitely read The Tent, the Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy. I have never laughed out loud so much when reading.
Sadly I agree with Sewingbea about Adam Kay and his books. His attitude towards older women was appalling. I was so disappointed in him.

DivisionBelles · 15/01/2020 07:15

Spike Milligan's books about his experiences in the war are funny. Hitler, My Part in his Downfall is one I recall, but there are a few more too.

Original poster
lolbrador · 15/01/2020 07:12

Thank you for all of these suggestions. I'm off to the book shop on my lunch today to search some of them out. Smile

OP posts:
BelfastNonBlonde · 15/01/2020 06:45

Any David Sedaris
👌

RockySpeed · 15/01/2020 06:43

The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy is properly 'laugh out loud on public transport' funny Grin

CountFosco · 15/01/2020 06:32

Another vote for Jeeves and Wooster and Cold Comfort Farm. Can I put in a vote for Nancy Mitford?

QuimReaper · 14/01/2020 23:41

Marking place!

I second three men in a boat and the diary of a nobody, and particularly the early Jeeves books!

madroid · 14/01/2020 23:31

I'm going to save some of these then work through them.

I still love any of the Terry Pratchett books.

Librocubicularist · 14/01/2020 23:13

Yes Man - Danny Wallace

Agree with Pink re Janet Evanovich

pallisers · 14/01/2020 23:11

Oh and if you can find a copy Miss Marjoribanks by Mrs Oliphant is a delight (a white frock ... cut high)

pallisers · 14/01/2020 23:10

Diary of a Nobody
Augustus Carp, Esq by Himself (really really funny)
The Papers of A. J. Wentworth, B.A. is really very funny - especially the opening
Jeeves books
Blandings books
Mapp and Lucia books
I like Bill Bryson but I find I have to take him in small doses.

Parts of Anthony Trollope are very droll and thumping good yarns all of them
I cannot help but laugh aloud at the James Herriott books - especially the first two.

Idontkowmyname · 14/01/2020 23:07

Another vote for peter Kay this is going to hurt.

LaMarschallin · 14/01/2020 23:05

Agree with lots of the above.

The one that literally (not figuratively) had me wetting myself (only a tiny bit and there were extenuating circumstances), laughing out loud and weeping with hilarity,* was "Hopscotch and Handbags" by Lucy Mangan.

*I brought it in an airport and was laughing so much that my husband and daughters moved to sit a bit away from me due to embarrassment.

Bowerbird5 · 14/01/2020 23:04

I loved Catch 22.

You can see the angels bum Miss Worswick! Mike Harding. Is very funny and on a similar vein Gervase Phinn about his days as a teacher and an Ofsted inspector has some hilarious moments. I also had the pleasure of going to see Gervase Phinn twice and the lady next to me and I were in stitches while her husband (who didn't want to go ) sat po faced although eventually his faced cracked. She thanked me afterwards for sitting next to her( I suggested she swap seats with him) and laughing as loud as she was. We were streaming with tears of laughter.

Sewingbea · 14/01/2020 23:03

"The Elfish Gene" but only if you or DP are a bit of a nerd.
I loathed Adam Kay, I thought he was misogynistic and patronising. Damn glad he was nowhere near when I gave birth.

Pinkfizzy · 14/01/2020 23:03

If you fancy laugh out loud mysteries, early Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum series - had me giggling uncontrollably on the tube!

AwdBovril · 14/01/2020 23:00

I've said it before: Three Men In A Boat.

I will also second the Adrian Mole books, & Jeeves & Wooster.

ironicname · 14/01/2020 22:58

Stella Gibbon Cold Comfort Farm morning

palomapear · 14/01/2020 22:58

Shit My Dad Said

mistletoeandmerlot · 14/01/2020 22:57

Adam Kay - This is Going to Hurt.

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