# What is your favourite funny novel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [March 14, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832 "2024-03-14T13:43:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![ch51](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ch51/32/3111_2.png) [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/141 "2024-03-28T21:12:19Z")
Again not really following the OP. I seem to find short story collections funnier than “humorous novels “. The Vital Spark In Highland Harbours with Hurricane Jack Hurricane Jack of the Vital Spark All three by Neil Munro (who wrote his less serious stuff like this under the name “Hugh Foulis”). All short pieces but about the same set of characters in the same setting (an old puffer plying the waters off the west coast of Scotland approximately 100 years ago). One of my two favourite authors. These are incredibly funny (to me anyway). The story (chapter) called “Hurricane Jack” in the first volume is probably the funniest thing I’ve ever read. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/142 "2024-03-28T21:33:17Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > > [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > > > It’s kind of jarring nowadays to read his observation that German is poorly suited for describing violence because its phonology is so soft and gentle. > > Around 20 years ago I had someone [French] explain to me how German is suited to philosophy and dreams, while French was best for science and precision. The old stereotype of the Germans were that they were unworldly philosophers and artists; not people you would expect anything serious from. And it was the French who had the stereotype of being military. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/143 "2024-03-28T23:15:15Z")
Has anyone mentioned Saki? Maybe he hasn’t aged as well as Herriot. I agree short stories are often funnier. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2024, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/144 "2024-03-28T23:30:30Z")
Yes, Saki is great, although mostly for his short stories. And yes, it’s easier to be funny for the length of a short story, especially if it’s the kind that ends in a humorous twist. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/145 "2024-03-29T10:14:30Z")
The first half of Lolita, up until Big Haze gets hit by the car. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/146 "2024-03-29T19:21:11Z")
Probably a tie between _Breakfast of Champions_ and _MASH_. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/147 "2024-03-30T03:33:01Z")
a lot of O.Herny short stories range from amusing to funny ---
**Author:** ![Philliam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/philliam/32/3011_2.png) [@Philliam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philliam)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2024, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/148 "2024-04-01T23:31:23Z")
Absolutely spot on. Such wonderful ear for the dialect and gentle humor. Never tire of picking up any of the Para Handy tales and re-reading. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2024, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/149 "2024-04-01T23:53:31Z")
I really like Vonnegut but I don’t remember doing more than cracking a smile reading Cat’s Cradle or Breakfast of Champions. I’ll say “John Dies At The End” by David Wong. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/150 "2024-04-02T00:00:24Z")
I did enjoy the “Ship of Theseus” as applied to the axe you were using to kill a person again… ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/151 "2024-04-02T00:42:30Z")
Yay! 😄 ---
**Author:** ![FS65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ea666f/32.png) [@FS65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FS65)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/152 "2024-04-02T16:29:06Z")
I thought ALL of Vonnegut’s work was “played for laughs,” but mixed in with poignancy. Slaughterhouse Five is my favorite novel of all time–IMO a much better example of writing “comedy about war” than Heller’s much less funny Catch-22. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/153 "2024-04-02T17:02:43Z")
I guess I might prefer to say “played primarily for laughs.” Billy Pilgrim tromping around in boots that have been painted silver is, I think, a ridiculous image that invites a laugh. I mean, I find it amusing at surface level, although it’s never provoked a literal “laugh out loud” from me. But there’s more to it than that. I would suggest that it has generous doses of both the poignancy you mention and the absurdity I mention. This is what war has reduced him to. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/154 "2024-04-02T17:12:17Z")
My suggestions: _Redshirts_ by John Scalzi. Particularly if you are familiar with Star Trek tropes. _The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared_ by Jonas Jonasson. This one just struck me as quite funny. I loved how he was on the run from the law, but had to have a nap now and then. YMMV _To Say Nothing of the Dog_ by Connie Willis. Oxford Time Travel book. Best if you read _Three Men in a Boat_ by Jerome K. Jerome first. Although this latter book was written in 1889, it’s humor stands up remarkably well. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/155 "2024-04-02T17:18:01Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > nteresting to see Goodreads take on the funniest novels is much closer to your choices than the NYTs oddly curated list. I’m a bit puzzled as to why _Pride and Prejudice_ comes in at #14 on this list. Not really a laugh riot IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/156 "2024-04-02T18:01:09Z")
I _think_ that Goodreads lists like that one are arranged in the order of how many people “voted” for each book. Which means that the books near the top of the list will tend to be the most popular or widely known, not necessarily the funniest. So, while \*Pride and Prejudice isn’t _especially_ funny, it’s written with enough wit and humor that it’s not out of place on a list of funny novels. And once it’s on the list, its popularity will push it toward the top. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/157 "2024-04-02T18:25:58Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > So, while \*Pride and Prejudice isn’t _especially_ funny, it’s written with enough wit and humor that it’s not out of place on a list of funny novels. And once it’s on the list, its popularity will push it toward the top. I had to read read _Pride and Prejudice_ for a college elective on humor. I found it to be torture. Not only is it not remotely funny, I found it an intolerable slog. One thing I learned from the course is that there’s a HUGE range of what different people consider “humor” or “funny”. I recommended _B ored of the Rings_ for reading in the class, because nothing else we were reading made me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/158 "2024-04-02T18:31:41Z")
College english electives are weird. I once signed up for a Science fiction elective. Once I saw the reading list, I dropped the course. I was OK with the earlier historical works, as I understand you need a framework to discuss later novels. But whoever designed the curriculum had a very … different… idea of what constituted SF than I did. (Or from what I could tell, different from anyone, at any time, in any place) I have no idea why _The Death of the Heart_ by Elizabeth Bowen was in this course. Actually, I do know. The instructor loved the book. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/159 "2024-04-02T18:57:27Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > One thing I learned from the course is that there’s a HUGE range of what different people consider “humor” or “funny” Indeed. If I had to read something for a class on humor, I wouldn’t necessarily expect to find it funny myself, but I would at least expect to understand why some people find it funny. Here, for anyone who cares, is what some people find funny in _Pride and Prejudice_: > **[Pride and Prejudice / Funny - TV Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Funny/PrideAndPrejudice)** > > The very opening lines of the novel are quite funny and rather snarky, being a Take That! towards the general population of England at the time. The part when Mrs. Bennet asks Mr. Bennet to force Elizabeth to marry Mr Collins, only to have him … ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832/160 "2024-04-02T19:31:25Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Indeed. If I had to read something for a class on humor, I wouldn’t necessarily expect to find it funny myself, but I would at least expect to understand why some people find it funny. I should also note that I don’t find David Sedaris at all amusing. I’m not fond of Garrison Keillor. Lake Woebegone could be gone and I wouldn’t miss it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favourite-funny-novel/998832.md?page=9)