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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Classic british humour. If you look at it with modern eyes, you can see it flows like a good standup set.
Hilarious, ridiculous travelogue of three men and a dog boating up the Thames. Jerome has a serious case of ADD when it comes to storytelling, the tangents are all over the place, but much it is so preposterously funny that you don't mind. I have heard that people still today (the book was published in 1889) recreate this trip staying in many of the same inns. I think that would be great fun, but I would skip bringing the dog.
A favorite bit of mine
I rather pride myself on my packing. . .I impressed the fact on George and Harris and told them that they had better leave the whole matter entirely to me. They fell into the suggestion with a readiness that had something uncanny about it. George put on a pipe and spread himself over the easy chair, and Harris cocked his legs on the table and lit a cigar.
This was hardly what I intended. What I had meant of course was that I should boss the job, and that Harris and George should potter about under my directions, I pushing them aside every now and then with, 'Oh, you-!' 'Here, let me do it.' 'There you are, simple enough!' -really teaching them , as you might say. Their taking it in the way they did irritated me. There is nothing does irritate me more than seeing other people sitting around doing nothing while I am working.
A favorite bit of mine
I rather pride myself on my packing. . .I impressed the fact on George and Harris and told them that they had better leave the whole matter entirely to me. They fell into the suggestion with a readiness that had something uncanny about it. George put on a pipe and spread himself over the easy chair, and Harris cocked his legs on the table and lit a cigar.
This was hardly what I intended. What I had meant of course was that I should boss the job, and that Harris and George should potter about under my directions, I pushing them aside every now and then with, 'Oh, you-!' 'Here, let me do it.' 'There you are, simple enough!' -really teaching them , as you might say. Their taking it in the way they did irritated me. There is nothing does irritate me more than seeing other people sitting around doing nothing while I am working.
I read this book somewhere far away from urban civilization, in the middle of mountains, in autumn when the winter is knocking on the door and sipping a cup of tea.
Just before reading this book, I had finished [b:The Code of the Woosters|9858081|The Code of the Woosters (Jeeves, #7)|P.G. Wodehouse|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1302053718s/9858081.jpg|1121253] and I surely was disappointed. Not for the lack of humor which definitely was in abundance, but for the lack of imagination and a severe lack of a thread which binds the book and makes it interesting.
Well, I found them all in this highly imaginative and hilarious book. The story in itself is simple where the author and his friends decide to take a vacation rowing a boat along the Thames. [a:Jerome K. Jerome|3352|Jerome K. Jerome|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1335971515p2/3352.jpg] makes descriptions of simple situations hilarious through his imaginative dialogues and makes you feel like you are a part of the book (specially through his use of 2nd person while addressing the reader). At the same time some of the descriptions of historical events, important milestones on the river are really good and are capable of taking you in another world for the moment.
I would recommend it everyone to read it at least once and just laugh and get lost in the journey.
Just before reading this book, I had finished [b:The Code of the Woosters|9858081|The Code of the Woosters (Jeeves, #7)|P.G. Wodehouse|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1302053718s/9858081.jpg|1121253] and I surely was disappointed. Not for the lack of humor which definitely was in abundance, but for the lack of imagination and a severe lack of a thread which binds the book and makes it interesting.
Well, I found them all in this highly imaginative and hilarious book. The story in itself is simple where the author and his friends decide to take a vacation rowing a boat along the Thames. [a:Jerome K. Jerome|3352|Jerome K. Jerome|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1335971515p2/3352.jpg] makes descriptions of simple situations hilarious through his imaginative dialogues and makes you feel like you are a part of the book (specially through his use of 2nd person while addressing the reader). At the same time some of the descriptions of historical events, important milestones on the river are really good and are capable of taking you in another world for the moment.
I would recommend it everyone to read it at least once and just laugh and get lost in the journey.
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Delightful and laugh out funny.
It's showing its age in places and because it has been the inspiration for many other writers (incl. Pratchett, Wodehouse and Adams) the style has been expanded upon and occasionally bettered.
adventurous
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have wonderful memories of childhood car journeys listening to the audio book version of 'Three Men in a Boat' voiced by Hugh Laurie so this was a nostalgic pick. The book also featured on one of those 'Books to read before you die / to be well-read' lists... I'm addicted to them; seriously I'm part way through 237 on Book List Challenges... but, moving on.
This is satirical social commentary at its classic finest. If Michael McIntyre had been alive in the 1880s and part of the young and lazy London elite this is the book he would have written. The narrative voice and description are strong and feel somehow very modern. I defy anyone to read it without vividly imagining the scenes and laughing aloud.
There was a dicey moment where my inner feminist bristled at a couple of depictions of women as complaining, 'dirt-o-phobes' out to ruin a chap's day on the river... but I couldn't stay annoyed. This is a perfect example of Jerome's subtle and clever use of narrative voice. Whatever 'J', the voice of the novel, says about women he says far more (inadvertently) about himself and his male companions. We're encouraged to laugh at pretty much everyone, perhaps even ourselves as we identify with some of the thoughts and behaviours of the characters.
So why have I given this book 4 stars? Well, in my opinion the problem stems from the fact that Jerome set out to write a serious travel guide and ended up writing a comic novel... There are times where the long travel guide descriptions get boring and there are times where the comic scenes are just a little too overblown and long-winded. Furthermore, as one amusing anecdote follows another, the content remains undeniably superficial - a bit 'so what?'
Overall, this is a great read - highly recommended. Sit back, imagine Hugh Laurie or Michael McIntyre reading it, have a good laugh and marvel at the comedic skill!
This is satirical social commentary at its classic finest. If Michael McIntyre had been alive in the 1880s and part of the young and lazy London elite this is the book he would have written. The narrative voice and description are strong and feel somehow very modern. I defy anyone to read it without vividly imagining the scenes and laughing aloud.
There was a dicey moment where my inner feminist bristled at a couple of depictions of women as complaining, 'dirt-o-phobes' out to ruin a chap's day on the river... but I couldn't stay annoyed. This is a perfect example of Jerome's subtle and clever use of narrative voice. Whatever 'J', the voice of the novel, says about women he says far more (inadvertently) about himself and his male companions. We're encouraged to laugh at pretty much everyone, perhaps even ourselves as we identify with some of the thoughts and behaviours of the characters.
So why have I given this book 4 stars? Well, in my opinion the problem stems from the fact that Jerome set out to write a serious travel guide and ended up writing a comic novel... There are times where the long travel guide descriptions get boring and there are times where the comic scenes are just a little too overblown and long-winded. Furthermore, as one amusing anecdote follows another, the content remains undeniably superficial - a bit 'so what?'
Overall, this is a great read - highly recommended. Sit back, imagine Hugh Laurie or Michael McIntyre reading it, have a good laugh and marvel at the comedic skill!
Pretty darned funny for 1889. It becomes a little more travelogue/history in the latter parts and a little less funny, but still definitely worth the time.
Recommended.
Recommended.
Some of the humour is outdated but the book is an enjoyable read and has many lough-out-loud moments.