xardon
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posted on February 17, 2001 07:40:55 PM new
I thought "Raptor Red" was nicely done Enchanted. Anthropromorphic novels are fun. I'm reminded of "Watership Down" by Richard Adams. I really liked it. He wrote another book called "Traveler" which tells the story of the Civil War from the perspective of Robert E. Lee's horse. It's very appealing.
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xellil
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posted on February 18, 2001 11:56:21 AM new
WinterDance -- can't remember the author because I loaned out my copy.
It's a true story about a clueless fellow who decides to run the Itarod and how he goes about getting there. Much on the same vein as James Herriot books, and I think just as funny. I haven't read it in a few years, I need to find another copy.
I'm going to save this thread, too -- it is not often I find a truly funny book.
nc
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saabsister
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posted on February 18, 2001 02:05:06 PM new
John Barth's "The Sot-Weed Factor" is an entertaining spoof of an historical novel. Also, some of his stories in "Lost In The Funhouse" are real gut-splitters although the book itself is a tough read at times.
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HJW
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posted on February 18, 2001 03:16:53 PM new
Right now, I'm reading, "Is Our Children Learning" by Paul Begala.
Just finished reading "Heart of a Dog" by
Mikhail Bulgakov...very funny and great satire.
Helen
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nutspec
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posted on February 19, 2001 10:07:22 AM new
Any of the first 4 of the trilogy by Doglas Adams in the "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" I still pick them up at least once a year. (The visual image of a planet reaching the "Shoe Store Event Horizon" still makes me grin)
The last one (Number 5) in the trilogy stunk.
For the outdoorsman - Patrick McManus's books - (They Shoot Canoes Don't they? - A Fine and Pleasant Misery) are outstanding - I rarely laugh so hard that I have to stop reading - but they do it.
For the truely twisted - "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter Thompson (Please dismiss the Tripe they have tried to make into movies based on this book - It simply cannot be put onto film) Funny, twisted and filled with a savage energy - It is near the top - But I know it is not for everyone.
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Muriel
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posted on February 19, 2001 10:31:50 AM new
"Shiela Levine is Dead and Living in New York." by Gail Parent
Lake Wobegon Days, by Garrison Keillor, as well as all his other books.
Anything by Erma Bombeck or Lewis Grizzard.
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mcjane
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posted on February 19, 2001 11:03:13 AM new
xellil I also read Winter Dance & I can't remember who wrote it either. I first read an excerpt in Readers Digest & it was the part where the author didn't know the Ididarod (sp) trail & the dogs ran through town tearing everything up. After reading that & laughing out loud I just had to buy the book.
It was a true story which made it even better. What an adventure he had.
As for the James Herriot books, they are & always will be my favorites. I never read anything as funny & wonderful. James Herriot had a way of telling a story that you could almost feel it. The funniest parts made you laugh until you had tears in your eyes. If anyone here hasn't read James Herriot & is going to be sure to start with the first book which is All Creatures Great And Small & then go on from there and I'll bet you will after you read that one.
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xellil
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posted on February 19, 2001 11:08:48 AM new
mcjane, I still have a first edition All Creatures Great and Small -- and after reading this thread I think it's about time to read it one more time, it's been a few years.
nc
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neelieohara
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posted on February 19, 2001 11:20:55 AM new
{b}Good Omens [/b] by Neil Gaiman and Terry
Prachett, easily one of the funniest things I've ever read. From the jacket: "We hear the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. Unfortunately, Sister Mary Loquacious of the Chattering Order has misplaced the Antichrist. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ride motorcycles. And the representatives from Heaven and Hellhave decided they actually like the human race..."
Also, Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs.
Jenny
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nycrocker
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posted on February 19, 2001 01:15:00 PM new
"A Massive Swelling: Celebrity Re-Examined as a Grotesque and Crippling Disease" by Cintra Wilson. Freakin HYSTERICAL and all toooo true! Tears were pouring down my cheeks from laughing so hard.
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gravid
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posted on February 19, 2001 01:52:00 PM new
xardon - I finished the new Harry Turtledove last night - They continue to be very satisfactory and lots of room for another....
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enchanted
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posted on February 19, 2001 02:09:33 PM new
oooh anything Neil Gaiman does excites me. Anyone else like the Sandman series? Dark humor.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas made me laugh too. A bad evil laugh, but it was funny. 
xardon thanks for reminding me of Watership Down I haven't read that in ages, I'll have to track down a copy.
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figmente
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posted on February 19, 2001 06:46:22 PM new
Joseph Heller died in '99.
On the SF humor front - Lois Bujold's most recent (not very) installment in the Miles Vorkosigan series - A Civil Campaign had me stopping to LOL many times.
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ubiedaman
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posted on February 19, 2001 08:34:49 PM new
Hiassen was a scream in "Striptease" , but I haven't had a chance to read any of his others....
One of my favorites HAS to be Larry McMurtry's "Texasville"...we're talkin milk shootin out of the nose funny!!! The armadillo shooting scenes is a favorite.
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
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jamesoblivion
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posted on February 19, 2001 09:06:35 PM new
"My Uncle Oswald" by Roald Dahl (yes, that Roald Dahl).
From the Amazon review:
"Uncle Oswald, the great rogue and fornicator, has discovered the world's most powerful aphrodisiac and a method of quick-freezing sperm. So with the help of the gorgeous Yasmin Howcomely, he sets out to preserve 51 living geniuses and crowned heads, from James Joyce to King Albert and Henry Ford."
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helnjoe
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posted on February 20, 2001 11:22:32 AM new
Thanks xardon, for this thread.
When I tell my husband that I'm going to the library or book store he just figures that he will leave a light burning in the window.
My favorites: PG Wodehouse's Jeeves and they are very very good on tape.
I also listened to Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy in my car and would almost drive off the road. Worse than talking on the phone.
My all time favorite is A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole. He committed suicide in 1969 at age 32. His mother found his manuscript and had it published. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1981.
Thanks Muriel for Shiela Levine. I read that may years ago and wanted to reread it but could'nt remember the name.
I do a lot of knitting and that takes time away from my books so I listen to them on tapes while I knit and do my exercises. (By the way, who is still on their new year's diet?)
[ edited by helnjoe on Feb 20, 2001 11:24 AM ]
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Muriel
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posted on February 20, 2001 11:32:32 AM new
Hey you guys, what about that old high school "must read", Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Hilariously funny.
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helnjoe
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posted on February 20, 2001 11:42:52 AM new
and... Steinbeck's Cannery Row
Anything by Kurt Vonnegut
[ edited by helnjoe on Feb 20, 2001 11:46 AM ]
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Antiquary
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posted on February 20, 2001 11:56:55 AM new
Lots of good recommendations. I second A Confederacy of Dunces and Texasville for consideration. I don't think that anyone does contemporary absurdity better than McMurtry -- and Walter Benjamin at the Dairy Queen, Duane's Depressed, The Desert Rose, Cadillac Jack, All My Friends Are Going to Be Strangers are worth investigating as well as others.
I've been reading Boorstin's The Creators lately because I've had it for a while but just never got around to it. No earthshattering revelations of course but an engaging approach and a rich source of amusing anecdotes.
For those who like Fannie Flagg, I just read Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind and though it doesn't quite measure up to Fannie at her best IMO, it's very funny.
punctuation edit
[ edited by Antiquary on Feb 20, 2001 11:58 AM ]
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mcjane
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posted on February 20, 2001 12:22:45 PM new
xellil I just checked, my copy is also a first edition. (All Creatures Great and Small) It was given to me by a secret pal Christmas 1972. My husband just finished reading it today (again) & it's time for me to read it again too.
Jane
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bootsnana
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posted on February 20, 2001 01:06:11 PM new
Antiquary: I agree with you about Fannie Flagg's latest book, Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind. It wasn't as funny as her previous works, but I did get my funeral plan wishes directly from that book.
mcjane: Gotta read James Herriot's books again after us talking about them.
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noteye
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posted on February 20, 2001 04:37:38 PM new
My vote also for A Confederacy of Dunces .. loved it so much.
noteye
A sad Texan once commented "I Wish it would rain, not so much for myself, I have seen rain before. But, for my 10 year old son."
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nutspec
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posted on February 20, 2001 10:58:24 PM new
Odd - I read A Confederacy of Dunces years ago - I may have to go look it up again. My impression at the time was that it was funny - but also terribly sad in places.
Now, my all time favorite writer is really Mark Twain - Especially his short stories. the man had such an ability to put dialog and accent down on paper. If there was ever one of those "Book of Lists" type things on the 5 people you would want to have dinner with (Living or dead) - Twain would likely be the first one invited.
Sad that it seems that very few of the current generation seems to have had any exposure to Twain's work- beyond the "Jumping Frog" short story in some endless seeming High School lit class.
If I am on a long business trip - I almost always carry "The Innocents Abroad" with me.
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xardon
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posted on February 24, 2001 09:10:52 PM new
Before this thread forever fades into obscurity, I'd like to thank all that participated for their suggestions.
It appears that I've a lot of reading to do.
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