Three Men in a Boat

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Summary: Three Idiots In A Boat
Review: "Three Men In A Boat" is about these three slightly daft English friends who take a leisure trip in a rowboat down the river Thames. Their little trip is riddled with funny mishaps, accidents, and other humorously unpleasant incidents. It's supposedly based on a real boat trip and the author and his friends, although I'm sure the incidents are embellished for more comic effect. Some British film production, perhaps done by the BBC, exists of this story as well, starring one or more of the Monty Python gang. Both book and film are hilarious.

David Rehak
author of "Love and Madness"

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece!
Review: I was extremely surprised to see the low sales rank of this book, not to mention the fact that there are only two reviews for it! In my opinion, it is one of the most hilarious book ever. It is also one of the most profound books I have read. Written at the fag end of the 19th century, Three Men In a Boat is the tale of 3 friends(and a dog) who take a boating trip down the Thames river. When they're not busy falling into the river, they visit historic places, enjoy the beauties of the river and outdo each other in telling amusing anecdotes. The narrator (it is written in the first person) describes their adventures, the beautiful scenery, the history of many places they visit and his philosophic observations of life - all with a superb, elegant style and a deep understanding of humanity. Never have I seen such hilarious situations described in such witty language, right alongside such deep contemplations of life described in such poetic and sincere language.

In short, if you've ever enjoyed a Wodehouse, this book is a must read. And once you have read it, you'll be compelled to read it again and again - when you know the humourous pieces by heart, the serious ones will keep you coming back.

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Summary: My annual Spring tonic--wit at its best!
Review: I was given a copy of this book about 12 years ago. It has turned out to be one the best gifts I've ever received. Jerome's witty ramblings are the funniest I've ever read. Mark Twain, who I also love to read, comes close to Jerome's style but, in my opinion, is a poor second. Jerome finds humor in the commonplace and the every day occurrences which all of us, even a good 100 years later, can identify with. Starting with his self-diagnosis of every ailment, excepting house-maid's knee, to his singular insights into his friends, self, and surroundings; I never tire of rereading this book. It becomes clear quickly that the dog, Montmorency, is the only one with any sense. Three Men and a Boat always cheers me after a cold, bleak winter. It's the best Spring tonic--I highly recommend an annual dose. I shop now for gifts to give to friends so they can share my enjoyment in this wonderfully humorous and offbeat book. Read, enjoy, and laugh often.

Rating:
Summary: The Funniest Book Ever Written
Review: Like other reviewers, I first heard of this book after reading the wonderful novel by Connie Willis, To Say Nothing of the Dog. That wonderful book inspired me to read Three Men in a Boat. A simple story set in Victorian England of three young men taking a boat ride down the Thames, and yet I laughed so hard and so often that I actually had to stop reading to catch my breathe. The writing is wonderful, with characters that everybody can identify with. The story of uncle Podger hanging the picture is priceless.

I can't believe that this book was written over one hundred years ago. The story is timeless. But the humor is such that few readers will be able to come away without loving this book. Already, I am trying to get hold of the author's other books. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Whatever you do, READ THIS BOOK! If not, you are truly missing one of life's greatest pleasures!

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Humor
Review: This has to be one of the funniest books ever written beginning with the opening chapter where the narrator reads a medical book and decides he has every disease in the book. From there, he and his two best friends decide to get away from it all with a boat trip up the Thames River -- and that's the book. It's full of one hilarious episode after another with little side tidbits on the historical places they pass on the Thames. Those few who have found the book dull need to understand that the story is written at the pace of a boat trip and not a television sitcom. It's any vacation where everything goes hilariously wrong and if for once the tent doesn't fall down in a pouring rain or the boat manages to not run into another boat, the narrator remembers another trip and tells the story of carrying an incredibly smelly cheese home--Warning don't read that chapter in public. People will wonder why you're rolling on the ground laughing hysterically. There's also a dog who's idea of being helpful is bringing a dead rat to add to the stew. The only weakness of the book is that I'd like to have seen much more of the dog. On the serious side, Three Men in a Boat proves that humor based on human nature is timeless. Also on the serious side, if you want a good look at how people lived in 1890, this book actually gives a vivid picture, including the nostalgia that the narrator feels for "the good old days". He finds life in 1890 too fast paced and with too many inventions coming on too fast. It makes you wonder at what point people will look back to 2001 as "the good old days".