Funniest Novels Ever: here come the ladies
September 19, 2008
The fantastic Jennifer Weiner points out that the NY Times brainstorms the funniest novels ever and none are by women. Then she recommends some she'd like to add to the list. Good post. (The Times article acknowledges this lack, by the way, and has some great books on it. Also many many in the comments.)
The article also admits that it fudges the question of whether we are talking about funniest novel, or Great Comic Novel with capital letters, meaning it's not just a hilarious book, but a great novel of depth and blah blah.
Who you got? Weiner asks.
So I am answering! Not worrying about Great Comic Novel so much as just laughs per page.
If we're including children's and YA, I would second JW's recommendation of Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park, and add in that specifically, Junie B. Jones Has a Peep in her Pocket has lived a long life in my household. I can make everyone crack up just by saying "When ponies attack!" and "Roosters will peck your head down to a nub!"
Also, Clementine, by Sarah Pennypacker. Makes me laugh so, so hard.
In YA, Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison. This book starts with a giant marinated olive costume, and only gets more amusing from there. Laugh-aloud funny throughout.
For adult books: Jane Austen, one of the funniest writers ever born. I suppose I think Emma the funniest, but Pride and Prejudice is extremely amusing, too. Hers are deeply, deeply hilarious books.
I would also nominate Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, by Anita Loos. Unbelievable.
And Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons.
What else ya got? Comments open.