Comedy fiction - Page 2

obs20 · 10-27-2010, 11:34 AM

I enjoyed three books by Gary Shteyngart:
The Russian Debutante's Handbook (2003)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rus...e%27s_Handbook

Absurdistan (2006)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdistan_%28novel%29

Super Sad True Love Story (2010)

http://www.inkmesh.com/ebooks/super-...ary+Shteyngart

Sparrow · 10-27-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obs20

I enjoyed three books by Gary Shteyngart: ...

Hadn't heard of him before, but those books look interesting - thanks for the info.

Steve Anderson · 10-28-2010, 08:34 PM

Yep, I second that about Gary Shteyngart, though I've only read his first one. It's tough pulling off what he does. Looking forward to getting to his other two. Somebody tell me which one's better -- Absurdistan or the new one?

For me the funniest book ever is Confederacy of Dunces, but that's not really answering your question.

Steve

obs20 · 10-28-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Anderson

Yep, I second that about Gary Shteyngart, though I've only read his first one. It's tough pulling off what he does. Looking forward to getting to his other two. Somebody tell me which one's better -- Absurdistan or the new one?

For me the funniest book ever is Confederacy of Dunces, but that's not really answering your question.

Steve

Super Sad True Love Story is one of the best books I've read this year.

Steve Anderson · 10-29-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by obs20

Super Sad True Love Story is one of the best books I've read this year.

Thanks for the tip! I guess it's settled, then.

SlowRain · 10-29-2010, 11:10 AM

I very seldom dip into comedy, but I've liked the three Nick Hornby novels that I've read. High Fidelity is my favorite so far.

Angst · 10-29-2010, 12:13 PM

Any of John Mortimer's Rumpole series.

I've also just begun reading Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next Series. Literary fiction meets science fiction. Strange but hilarious.

NightBird · 10-29-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike L
I've no idea who the current monarch is, but surely the all-time emporor of comedy fiction is P.G. Wodehouse.

I couldn't agree more. I just cannot read Wodehouse books in public - it's too embarrassing to be seen laughing so much.

Thanks for mentioning him. For some reason I had never read him before. Gave him a try and cracking up from the first sentence.

joobies · 10-29-2010, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I thought the Plum books were mystery, don't think that there is any comedy in there.

These books are much more comedy than mystery.... love the characters.

JSWolf · 10-29-2010, 03:43 PM

If my mom was on the forum, I'm sure she'd recommend Carl Hiaasen.

mish · 10-29-2010, 05:22 PM

Some of my favorites include:

Terry Pratchett
Robert Rankin
Tom Holt
Janet Evanovich (for Stephanie Plum series)
Lisa Lutz (love those Spellmans!)
Christopher Moore

hnoto · 10-29-2010, 06:01 PM

I will third, (or is it 4th) Evanovich's Plum series. Imagine slapstick bounty hunting. With hilarious characters.

I've also listened to the first of Jasper Fforde's Thursday next series. It was definitely odd and interesting, but I'm not sure it's laugh-out-loud funny. However, I feel the urge to go and buy the next one.

Pratchett is the king IMHO. Good Omens is my favorite.

I couldn't get into Christopher Moore, although I tried.

mish · 10-29-2010, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnoto

I will third, (or is it 4th) Evanovich's Plum series. Imagine slapstick bounty hunting. With hilarious characters.

If you like Stephanie Plum then give The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz a try. Not quite the same thing but great quirky characters. I actually like the second book the best, Curse of the Spellmans, but I recommend reading in order.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnoto

I couldn't get into Christopher Moore, although I tried.

Which book did you try? I don't like all his stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hnoto

Pratchett is the king IMHO. Good Omens is my favorite.

Awesome book!

captkjaneway · 10-30-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drofgnal

I don't know if you'd call her queen, but I've thoroughly enjoyed Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books.

Agree One for the Money is genuis....sadly they did fade a bit over the course of the series but 1-5 are definately worth a read

robkroese · 10-31-2010, 07:22 PM

Terry Pratchett is certainly high up on the list. Also: Christopher Moore and Carl Hiaasen.

10-28-2010, 08:34 PM	#18
Steve Anderson Addict Posts: 226 Karma: 260821 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon USA Device: iPhone, laptop, more	Yep, I second that about Gary Shteyngart, though I've only read his first one. It's tough pulling off what he does. Looking forward to getting to his other two. Somebody tell me which one's better -- Absurdistan or the new one? For me the funniest book ever is Confederacy of Dunces, but that's not really answering your question. Steve Last edited by Steve Anderson; 10-28-2010 at 08:36 PM.

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10-27-2010, 11:34 AM	#16
obs20 Wizard Posts: 2,793 Karma: 29028512 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Device: Sony PRS 600, Nook ST, Toshiba Excite 10.1 AT 300	I enjoyed three books by Gary Shteyngart: The Russian Debutante's Handbook (2003)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rus...e%27s_Handbook Absurdistan (2006)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absurdistan_%28novel%29 Super Sad True Love Story (2010) http://www.inkmesh.com/ebooks/super-...ary+Shteyngart

10-29-2010, 11:10 AM	#21
SlowRain Addict Posts: 311 Karma: 9553 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: a Canadian expat in Taiwan Device: HTC 10, Asus Phonepad	I very seldom dip into comedy, but I've liked the three Nick Hornby novels that I've read. High Fidelity is my favorite so far.

10-29-2010, 12:13 PM	#22
Angst Cannon Fodder Posts: 2,874 Karma: 52253556 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Probably a library Device: PRS-350, Kindle DX, Kindle Paperwhite	Any of John Mortimer's Rumpole series. I've also just begun reading Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next Series. Literary fiction meets science fiction. Strange but hilarious.

10-29-2010, 03:43 PM	#25
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,429 Karma: 145491800 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If my mom was on the forum, I'm sure she'd recommend Carl Hiaasen.

10-29-2010, 05:22 PM	#26
mish Addict Posts: 215 Karma: 1930065 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Device: PRS-350, Kindle 2	Some of my favorites include: Terry Pratchett Robert Rankin Tom Holt Janet Evanovich (for Stephanie Plum series) Lisa Lutz (love those Spellmans!) Christopher Moore

10-29-2010, 06:01 PM	#27
hnoto Groupie Posts: 194 Karma: 177180 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Device: Sony PRS 505	I will third, (or is it 4th) Evanovich's Plum series. Imagine slapstick bounty hunting. With hilarious characters. I've also listened to the first of Jasper Fforde's Thursday next series. It was definitely odd and interesting, but I'm not sure it's laugh-out-loud funny. However, I feel the urge to go and buy the next one. Pratchett is the king IMHO. Good Omens is my favorite. I couldn't get into Christopher Moore, although I tried.

10-31-2010, 07:22 PM	#30
robkroese Member Posts: 17 Karma: 20000 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ripon, CA Device: Kindle	Terry Pratchett is certainly high up on the list. Also: Christopher Moore and Carl Hiaasen.

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