Thursday, May 9, 2019

Back to the Classics Challenge 2019: Three Men in a Boat

'In the present instance, going back to the liver-pill circular, I had the symptoms, beyond all mistake, the chief among them being “a general disinclination to work of any kind.”

What I suffer in that way no tongue can tell.  From my earliest infancy I have been a martyr to it.  As a boy, the disease hardly ever left me for a day.  They did not know, then, that it was my liver.  Medical science was in a far less advanced state than now, and they used to put it down to laziness.'

I read Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome for the Classic Comic Novel category of the Back to the Classics Challenge 2019 hosted by blogger Karen at Books and Chocolate.  Apparently, the book started off as a travel guide for points of interest along the Thames.  That part of the book was a bit of a miss for me since I am not very well acquainted with British history. Nor am I familiar with boating and the technicalities of that such as using tow lines, punting, etc. 

Occasionally in the travelogue parts, the writing was flowery about sunsets and flowers and the like and the tone more serious.  But was it funny? Generally, yes. The sense of humor was very familiar; fairly broad and a bit silly. The punchlines usually weren’t terribly clever such as never finding a cab when you need one but when you don’t there are tons.  My first real laugh came when the narrator is describing his dog Montmorency, who “came to live at my expense…” That is a perfect description of the dogs and cats in my home. They live at my expense…total freeloaders! 😺

There is no plot. Three young men set off boating for two weeks on the Thames. Some shenanigans and minor disasters happen and there are many digressions, like the inadvisability of offering to store a wheel of cheese for a friend for any length of time or a friend who gets himself and his fellow tourists lost in a maze and almost lynched by the mob of people trying to get out.  

I read the unabridged text in physical form but because it was only two hours and twenty minutes, I also later listened to the abridged audio version narrated by Hugh Laurie  which was delightful.

21 comments:

  1. The quote about his dog is great! :D

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    1. It made me laugh both when I read it and again when Hugh Laurie read it to me!

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  2. I love this book! I sometimes pick it up to re-read certain passages when I need to cheer myself up. The maze scene is one of my favourites. :)

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    1. Thanks for the comment Helen! I can totally see this book as a favorite comfort read or when one needs a pick me up. :D

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  3. One of my favourite novels. I just really connected with the humour. I feel like I could pull a golden quote from any page of the book.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Rob! Yes, there were so many funny quotes, it was hard to choose one (and hope it made sense in the post out of context).

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  4. Hi Ruthiella, I almost went with Three Men and A Boat for the Classics Challenge but I choose The Code of the Woosters instead. Thinking about it there aren't that many funny classics out there although I suppose it depends on how you define comic. Jane Austen's novels for example are considered classic comic novels. I guess rhe challenge of writing a comic novel is to create characters that also have depth.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Kathy! You are right that what constitutes a comic novel is going to vary from reader to reader. I still have not read from the Jeeves and Wooster series, something I need to remedy! :D

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    2. I still need to try Wodehouse as well, maybe next year.

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  5. This is one of my favourite books. It's my go-to when I want a laugh. And from reading/listening to it a number of times, I've learned something about English history and topography. I still have to read the follow-up, Three Men on the Bummel, hopefully sooner than later.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Cleo! I imagine multiple reads cement the historical and scenic aspects of the book. I would love to see that maze at Hampton Court some day!

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  6. I read this so long ago! A definite reminder for a re-read--or maybe I'd rather listen to Hugh Laurie. :)

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    1. Thanks for the comment jenclair Hugh Laurie was, of course, a fantastic comic narrator and I highly recommend the audio if you do ever decide to re-experience the book. :D

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  7. I'm going to have to read this one soon. The Other Reader listened to it recently and raved about it.

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    1. Thanks for the comment reese! It is so short; not too much of a commitment for when you are ready to give it a go. :)

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  8. I have read this classic at least three times and it’s always good fun. Mostly the jokes are stale and it is pointless, but it is nostalgic and occasionally insightful (referencing the comment about the canine/feline freeloaders!). Glad you got to experience it.

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    1. Thanks for the comment Jane! I am glad I read it. I made me chuckle out loud more than once. :D

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  9. Glad you liked it. I did as well.

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  10. I read this book a few years ago, but would like to experience it as an audiobook. Hugh Laurie! Yes!

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    1. Thanks for the comment Bybee! I recommend the audio! Just know, however, it is abridged. :D

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