Inspired by the folk at the New York Times article ‘22 of the funniest novels since Catch 22’, join me (Kate), Phil and Laura as we consider the books that make us laugh. Listen in as we explore the NYT suggestions and add in a few of our own. Find out the author we can’t believe they missed, and the book that reliably makes Laura – a tough customer when it comes to funny books – laugh every time.
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Books mentioned
The New York Times article ‘22 of the funniest novels since Catch 22’
Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut
The Idiot and Either/Or by Elif Batuman
The Possessed by Elif Batuman
Uncle Napoleon by Iraj Pezeshkzad
Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
Where d’You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W.E. Bowman
Three Men and a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
Scoop by Evelyn Waugh
Vanity Fair by William MakepieceThackarey
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald
The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Notes
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Next book club read: Wifedom by Anna Funder
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Transcript
[coming soon]
2 Comments
I was surprised you didn’t mention Frederik Backman’s books! I’m always laughing out loud when I read them, particularly A Man Called Ove. Though I guess overall the book is not exactly funny.
I’ve not read it, in that way that sometimes when books are that successful some perverse instinct kicks in and I avoid them. Usually I end up reading them years after everybody else and loving them (Eleanor Oliphant is a perfect example)! I didn’t realise it was funny, so thanks for the tip.