Books matching: dry british humor
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- #1
Save:'Wilt' by Tom Sharpe follows the story of Henry Wilt, a polytechnic tutor stuck in a monotonous job and a challenging marriage with his domineering wife, Eva. After a peculiar incident involving a blow-up doll at a party, Wilt starts to imagine a life without his wife and uses the doll as a practice tool, leading to a series of comical mishaps that attract the attention of the local police. The plot unfolds with Wilt's attempts to clear his name while navigating through absurd situations, inter-faculty squabbles, and misunderstandings, all set against a backdrop of British humor and satire. The writing style is characterized by dry British humor, satirizing cultural formalities, class divisions, and the protagonist's off-kilter nature, making it a hilarious work that fans of British comedy will enjoy.
Whenever Henry Wilt took the dog for a walk, or, to be more accurate, when the dog took him, or, to be exact, when Mrs Wilt told them both to go and take themselves out of the house so that she could ... - #2
Save:'The Herring Seller's Apprentice' follows the story of Ethelred Tressider, a mystery writer, and his agent Elsie as they investigate the apparent death of Ethelred's ex-wife Geraldine. The plot is filled with clever twists and dark humor, showcasing the overlapping of fiction into reality as Ethelred finds himself entangled in a real-life murder case. The narrative is told from the perspectives of both Ethelred and Elsie, providing insights into their characters and dynamics as they navigate through the mystery. The writing style is described as droll, witty, and filled with dry humor, making it an entertaining and engaging read for fans of crime fiction with a twist.
I wrote my first novel at the age of six. It was seven and a half pages long and concerned a penguin, who happened to have the same name as me, and a lady hedgehog, who happened to have the same name ... - #3
Save:"Midnight Riot" in the series "Rivers of London" by Ben Aaronovitch follows the story of Peter Grant, a police constable in London, who unexpectedly becomes an apprentice wizard after encountering a ghost at a crime scene. Grant's new role leads him to work on solving supernatural crimes with Chief Inspector Nightingale, blending magic and modern police work in a parallel London where magic is real but hidden from most people. offers a mix of contemporary London life, magical elements, and a touch of humor, creating an engaging and unique urban fantasy setting.
IT STARTED at one thirty on a cold Tuesday morning in January when Martin Turner, street performer and, in his own words, apprentice gigolo, tripped over a body in front of the West Portico of St. Pau... - #4
Save:The Stranger Times is a magical and humorous book that follows the editorial office of The Stranger Times, a publication reporting on paranormal and nutty events. The story revolves around a diverse cast of characters such as Grace, the efficient office admin, Stella, the sulky teenager, and Banecroft, the abrasive editor. The plot builds momentum like a Clydesdale on a race track, immersing readers into a strange and unusual world that is just at the corners of reality. The writing style is inventive and original, making readers burst out into laughter in public and creating a sense of immersion into the story.
- #5
Save:In "The Queen and I" by Sue Townsend, the premise is that the Royal Family is evicted from Buckingham Palace and forced to live on a council estate after a Republican Party sweeps to power. The book humorously explores how the Queen and her family cope with their new circumstances, shedding light on social issues while maintaining a light-hearted tone. The writing style is described as funny, thoughtful, and engaging, with a mix of humor and moments of poignancy.
The Queen winced as Jack Barker ground his cigarette out on the silk rug. A faint smell of burning rose between them. Jack fought the urge to apologize. The Queen stared at Jack disdainfully. His stom... - #6
Save:Three Men in a Boat follows the humorous misadventures of three friends and a dog as they embark on a boating trip down the Thames River in 19th century England. The book combines witty anecdotes, charming observations, and slapstick humor, creating a light-hearted narrative filled with comedic moments and exaggerated situations. The plot serves as a backdrop for the author to share quirky stories, historical digressions, and humorous asides, all while showcasing Jerome K. Jerome's clever and witty writing style.
Three Invalids. — Sufferings of George and Harris. — A victim to one hundred and seven fatal maladies. — Useful prescriptions. — Cure for liver complaint in children. — We agree that we are overworked... - #7
Save:The Shortest Way to Hades by Sarah Caudwell is a witty murder mystery featuring the amateur sleuth Professor Hilary Tamar. The plot revolves around a family trust arrangement that needs to be changed to avoid hefty taxes upon the matriarch's death. However, when a young member of the family dies in suspicious circumstances, Professor Tamar must investigate to prevent further tragedies. The writing style is described as verbose and stilted at times, with passages of legal language that may distance the reader from the characters and action. Despite this, the book is praised for its dry British humor, literary references, and charming prose style.
Awaiting me in my pigeon-hole at the porter’s lodge of St. George’s College, the message perplexed me more than a little. If my former pupil Timothy Shepherd, now in practice as a barrister in Lincoln...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Hilary Tamar ) - #8
Save:"Just One Damned Thing After Another" by Jodi Taylor follows the adventures of Dr. Max Maxwell at St. Mary's Institute of Historical Research, where historians travel back in time to investigate important historical events. The writing style is described as intelligent, fast-paced, and filled with action, humor, and suspense. The plot revolves around time travel, historical accuracy, and the challenges faced by the characters as they navigate through various historical periods.
The first occurred when, after another disruptive day at school, I stood in front of my head teacher, Mrs De Winter. I’d done the sullen silence thing and waited for expulsion, because I was long past... - #9
Save:"Good Omens" is a witty and humorous take on the end of the world, where an angel and a demon work together to prevent the apocalypse from happening. The story involves a mix-up at a maternity hospital that leads to the Antichrist being raised by the wrong family, setting off a chain of events involving witches, witch hunters, prophecies, and the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The writing style is described as clever, funny, and full of gentle humor, blending the unique senses of humor of both Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett seamlessly.
You may be feeling run down and always in the same old daily round. Home and family matters are highlighted and are hanging fire. Avoid unnecessary risks. A friend is important to you. Shelve major de... - #10
Save:"Thus Was Adonis Murdered" by Sarah Caudwell is a murder mystery set between London and Venice in the early 1980s. The story revolves around eccentric lawyer Julia Larwood who becomes the leading suspect in a murder case involving a young man found dead in her bed. Her London colleagues, along with their mentor Professor Hilary Tamar, work together to solve the mystery from a distance using letters and phone calls from the accused murderer. The plot is presented through witty dialogue, letters, and humor, creating a light-hearted atmosphere despite the serious subject matter.
Scholarship asks, thank God, no recompense but Truth. It is not for the sake of material reward that she (Scholarship) pursues her (Truth) through the undergrowth of Ignorance, shining on Obscurity th...
