Funniest Book Ever

[Zeno]

Too many choices - so I'll toss out one to be in the thick: Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse

-Zeno

[AJay2000]

The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams, haven't read anything that made me laugh out loud as much as this first novel or the rest of the series.

[Blarg]

"Without Feathers" by Woodie Allen. "Getting Even" was very funny too, but I was laughing so much through almost all of "Without Feathers" that it was painful and actually amazing. Plenty of great pieces there, with "If the Impressionists Were Dentists" being a big personal favorite.

For novels, I think "Catcher In the Rye" stands out most in my mind. "Why are old men's legs always so white and unhairy?"

"Journey to the End of the Night" was also extremely funny in many places, though it's a miraculously sustained tone piece of absolutely bottomless black misery, arranged as a picaresque. One of the most amazing books I've ever read. "Tropic of Capricorn" was also very funny in many places. I guess I haven't read much in the way of comic novels, like stuff by Wodehouse, or Lord Jim or anything. I did read Martin Amis's first book, "The Rachel Papers," but thought it was over-rated.

For a play, "The Importance of Being Earnest."

[benfranklin]

Catch-22

[Rick Nebiolo]

[ QUOTE ]
Catch-22

[/ QUOTE ]

Good choice at least among the books I've read. I was going to say Tom Wolfe's "Bonfire of the Vanities" but Heller's book was warped/funny beginning to end.

~ Rick

[Peca277]

Before I read the replies, Catch-22 immediately came to mind. Excellent book with a lot of hilarious situations [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Blarg]

I forgot all about Catch-22. That's an excellent choice. I guess that's my first choice for novels that are funny.

[sam h]

A Fan's Notes

[Fluffington]

I second American Psycho. Portnoy's Complaint, White Noise and Bright Lights, Big City are also very funny. As for plays, I think What the Butler Saw is hilarious.

[Blarg]

I didn't think Bright Lights, Big City was all that funny, though it had good moments. Portnoy's complaint is excellent, though. That was gut-bustingly funny at some points.

It nearly killed me when reading the guying wondering when he was going to beat off so much and so violently he would come blood.

And when he really thought about the magnitude of his startling insight that all women have C-U-N-T-S. ALL OF THEM.

For F___ING !!!

Some sections of that book were one cripplingly hard laugh after another.

I probably laughed harder at Portnoy's Complaint, but Catch-22 was by far the better book. Excellent choice though.