Jerome K. Jerome
First published in 1889, Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome has withstood the test of time and remains a comic masterpiece. The three men are George, Harris, and J, the narrator; the dog is Montmorency, an intrepid fox terrier. Ignoring Montmorency’s whimpering objections, the three men decide to take a boat trip on the River Thames to cure them of their maladies—real or imaginary.
What follows is one hilarious episode after another. From the hysterical scene where they pack for the trip to the self-inflicted mishaps during the actual boat ride, the various antics of the three men and their dog will have the reader doubled over with laughter. J includes hilarious anecdotes, recollections, and digressions along the way, which he tells with very dry humor and a pinch of sarcasm. He evokes in vivid detail the charming and idyllic scenery of the river and its surroundings. The serenity prompts his reveries back to a time long since passed where toil and trouble were presumably non-existent. He peppers the narrative with interesting historical tidbits about the various locations they pass—which poet lived in the area, the location of the historic signing of the Magna Charta, the many locales where Henry VIII chased after Anne Boleyn, and so on. He reflects on the meaning of life, laughs at himself and others, and pokes gentle fun at some of the foibles of human nature, including his own peccadillos.
The humor is timeless. The dialogue between the three buddies is fresh, witty, unpretentious, and injected with irony and sarcasm. In addition to its laugh out loud humor, what makes this book so delightful is its ability to strike a nostalgic tone—a time when life was much simpler, when boating along the river afforded an escape from the frantic hustle and bustle of life.
A deliciously funny book and one that is highly recommended for anyone in need of some hearty laughter.