laughs

[jbcohen]

What's the best joke that you have read in a book?

[fjtorres]

Robert Asprin, ANOTHER FINE MYTH: "Anybody who says 'as easy as taking candy from a baby' never tried it..."

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Robert Asprin, ANOTHER FINE MYTH: "Anybody who says 'as easy as taking candy from a baby' never tried it..."

It ain't easy. Mythbusters tested it!

[Turtle91]

Not so much a particular "joke", but when the author has developed a character well enough that you can laugh at the situations they get into, and how you know they would react!

[murg]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

What's the best joke that you have read in a book?

Fifty Shades of Gray

[latepaul]

‘You know,’ said Arthur, ‘it’s at times like this, when I’m trapped in a Vogon airlock with a man from Betelgeuse and about to die of asphyxiation in deep space, that I really wish I’d listened to what my mother told me when I was young.’
‘Why, what did she tell you?’
‘I don’t know, I didn’t listen.’

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams

[ebusinesstutor]

In Lois McMaster Bujold's "Curse of Chalion" the lead character Cazaril, in ill health and recovering from being sold to slavers, prevails upon the Provincara whose household he had been a castle defender for some small post.

She tells him that she has the perfect post for him - secretary/tutor to 16 year old Iselle, second in line to the throne.

Here is Cazaril's response:

Cazaril swallowed. "I think...I think if you lent me a razor now for me to cut my throat with, is would save so many steps, Save Your Grace."

The Provincara snorted, "Good, Cazaril, good. I DO so like a man who doesn't underestimate his position."

Cazaril,."Couldn't you give me a fortress under siege instead?"

Provincara. "She will be, soon enough."

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

What's the best joke that you have read in a book?

That's so hard for me to answer, because I usually think of the humour as being part of the story, and I don't read books of 'jokes'.

But, I can say that one of the best series of humorous books that I've read is EF Benson's Mapp and Lucia (Benson 1867-1940). These 6 books are written over a long period, 1920 to 1939, and satirise English middle class pretensions. They are absolutely hilarious, and an absolute joy to read.

One of the best scenes (for me) was in book 4, Mapp and Lucia, when both Mapp and Lucia got caught in a flood and sailed off on an upturned domestic kitchen table. Oh my, those scenes still bring tears of laughter rolling down my face!!

The books are public domain and free in Australia: https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/b/benson/ef/

[AnotherCat]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

...But, I can say that one of the best series of humorous books that I've read is EF Benson's Mapp and Lucia (Benson 1867-1940). These 6 books are written over a long period, 1920 to 1939, and satirise English middle class pretensions. They are absolutely hilarious, and an absolute joy to read...

Following on from an earlier thread where you mentioned this series I went and got all 6 and am now well through the first. And am enjoying it very much, so thanks Lynxy one. Will slowly get through the others as light reading during our summer and autumn travels.

So can recommend them too.

Was going to hunt out your old post to give you some kudos for the lead, but you have saved me the trouble as I can now do it here.

[pendragginp]

Oh yes, those are classic. In all senses of the word.

The best funny line I've come across lately wasn't in a book, per se, but obviously was written at some point; in the last season of Downton Abbey Lady Edith - the family sad sack up to this point - is going to have an amazing piece of luck and become a marchioness, and her father says in amazement, "Edith! Who could never even make her dolls do what she wanted!"

I loved it.

[Witty Username]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

But, I can say that one of the best series of humorous books that I've read is EF Benson's Mapp and Lucia (Benson 1867-1940). These 6 books are written over a long period, 1920 to 1939, and satirise English middle class pretensions. They are absolutely hilarious, and an absolute joy to read.


The books are public domain and free in Australia: https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/b/benson/ef/

The books are also here in the library as an omnibus with two short stories included:

Mapp and Lucia omnibus added by HarryT

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Witty Username

The books are also here in the library as an omnibus with two short stories included:

Mapp and Lucia omnibus added by HarryT

Worth noting, though, that this omnibus is not in the US public domain, so please don't download it if you are in the US. It is of course in the life+70 public domain.

[Lynx-lynx]

Harry, did you enjoy the Mapp and Lucia books?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Lynx-lynx

Harry, did you enjoy the Mapp and Lucia books?

I think they're absolutely wonderful. The continuation of the series by Tom Holt (two books) and Guy Fraser-Sampson (three books) is also worth reading.

[issybird]

The Tom Holt Lucia books are the best continuations of a series by a different author that I've ever read. I haven't tried the Fraser-Sampson books because according to a friend, they get several aspects of the canon backstory wrong.