Humour Books > S Humour Books > by Author Name (First Letter)

Advantages: Usual tom Sharpe Hilarity
Disadvantages: None

...of fancy, this time concerning the world of publishing. The unlikely premise is that an author has a manuscript that he wants published yet, for reasons that may become clear, cannot allow his own name to be associated with it. The hard-bitten literary agent involved comes up with a solution that pleases everyone. There is a hopeless writer on his books who would do almost anything to get his name on the cover of a book and a deal is soon struck. ...
...Sharpe style, and the real author remains in obscurity whilst the imposter embarks on a book promotion tour of the USA, with about as many misunderstandings, awkward situations and disasters is any sane person could possibly imagine. The core action takes place in the deep south Bible belt where the bizarre and unbelievable is commonplace. It involves religious fanaticism, venomous snakes, corporate greed, lust and a generous sprinkling of naivety ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting, unusual style and content
Disadvantages: A one-off type of book, when really you could do with a series of 2 or 3 to enjoy.

...just the style that made me think of this point though – when I was at school I would have been admonished (in the days before I knew that 3 syllable words existed) for flitting between 1st and 3rd person, and from past to present to future tenses, all within one story. Sedaris, though, gets away with this all in the name of “art” and to be honest, the result isn’t as horrifying as it could be. I saw this book in the British Bookshop on Vienna’s ...
...took me until 7 months later to get a copy of it because I was holding out for the mainstream paperback edition to be released. When it was, it didn't appear in highstreet bookshops for quite a few days showing that despite the famous author, it's not quite a Bridget Jones / Harry Potter release. Once it was within my grasp, it was read from cover to cover in 3 nights, with every morsel being savoured and enjoyed. Think Bill Bryson without quite ... Read review

Advantages: Strange and funny.
Disadvantages: Maybe too strange for some.

...reading from this particular book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, and after that I “ran” to my favourite online bookstore to place an order. David Sedaris (born 1956 in Binghampton, NY) is a talented humorist and for inspiration he often uses his family, his Greek heritage, his homosexuality and the problems that come with moving to another country as he now lives in France with his partner Hugh. However, he is also a radio commentator ...
...I soon will. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Demin is a collection of autobiographical stories from his past and even though the “characters”, i.e. his family members, are the same throughout, they are separate stories instead of one long one. Growing up in a family with four sisters and only one brother, and being gay at that, is a good basis for many stories that might seem mundane on the surface, but told with the dry sense of humour that David ... Read review

Advantages: Pulls no punches. Tells it like the author sees it
Disadvantages: Does require the reader to have some knowledge of 1980's politics- including some obscure campaigns !

...up with politics being the preserve of puffed-up professional politicians ! Reasons to be Cheerful is published by Scribner and is listed with an online price of £6.99 although it is possible to buy new or used for a fraction of the price, and is worth every penny ! ... Read review