Subject: Humorous Fiction

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A Damsel in Distress P. G. Wodehouse

A Damsel in Distress is an early novel from comic genius, P.G. Wodehouse, about the aristocratic Marshmoreton family—a precursor to the Blandings series. When American composer George Bevan comes to an English lady's rescue, he is instantly smitten. Unfortunately, the lady is in love with another.
A Prefect's Uncle P. G. Wodehouse

One of Wodehouse's early novels set in an English public school, a school story that revolves around cricket, stolen money, and an embarrassing uncle (who happens to be younger than his nephew) who enrolls in in his school. The arrival of Farnie at Beckford College brings much excitement and scandal to the school an…Read More »
Bouvard and Pécuchet Gustave Flaubert

Nowhere do Flaubert's explorations of the relation of signs to the objects they signify reach a more thorough study than in this work. Bouvard and Pécuchet systematically confuse signs and symbols with reality, an assumption that causes them much suffering, as it does for Emma Bovary and Frédéric Moreau. Yet here, d…Read More »
Death at the Excelsior P. G. Wodehouse

Death At The Excelsior is a highly recommended introduction into the world of Wodehouse. A sterling collection of early short stories from the master of comedic complications. Death at the Excelsior and Others is a posthumously published compilation of short stories by Wodehouse, including:
- Death at the Excels…Read More »
Educated Evans Edgar Wallace

The Master of Mystery has become the Master of Mirth! In Educated Evans Edgar Wallace has forsaken the Realm of Crime for the Kingdom of Mirth! His story of Evans, the little cockney tipster, is full of amusing incidents of love and adventure set amidst the bustle and excitement of the racecourse. Edgar Wallace…Read More »
Good Evans! Edgar Wallace

This continues the life of Evans, Edgar Wallace's Cockney tipster and 'the wizard of Camden Town'. Follow the loves, predictions and calamities of this likeable hero of the Turf in the seventeen tales of this book. It is not only race-lovers who will love Evans, but lovers of life itself.
Happy Days A. A. Milne

A collection of humorous pieces written by Milne for Punch and collected in 1915. A familiarity with early 20th century English society will help you better appreciate the humour, and some of the terminology might be unfamiliar, but it's pleasantly light-hearted and nostalgic feel makes for an easy read.
Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow Jerome K. Jerome

Published in 1886 and dedicated to the writer’s ally in idling—his pipe—this collection of entertaining essays established Jerome K. Jerome as an eminent English wit. "What readers ask nowadays in a book is that it should improve, instruct, and elevate. This book wouldn’t elevate a cow. I cannot conscientiously reco…Read More »
Indiscretions of Archie P. G. Wodehouse

It wasn't Archie's fault really. It's true he went to America and fell in love with Lucille, the daughter of a millionaire hotel proprietor and if he did marry her–well, what else was there to do? From his point of view, the whole thing was a thoroughly good egg; but Mr. Brewster, his father-in-law, thought differe…Read More »
Jill the Reckless P. G. Wodehouse

Jill had money and was engaged to be married to Sir Derek Underhill. But when she suddenly becomes penniless, she finds herself no longer engaged. Refusing to be beaten, she heads for New York, with a smile that betrays a tinge of recklessness, to join the chorus of 'The Rose of America'.
Lady Susan Jane Austen

The victim of a vicious scandal, the impoverished Lady Susan is obliged to take up residence with her brother-in-law and his family. Refusing to resign herself to the role of placid house guest, she conspires to baffle her hosts, seducing her sister-in-law's brother in the process by means of her impeccable gentilit…Read More »
Little Women Louisa May Alcott

Little Women is an American classic, adored for Louisa May Alcott's lively and vivid portraits of the endearing March sisters: talented tomboy Jo, pretty Meg, shy Beth, temperamental Amy. Millions have shared in their joys, hardships, and adventures as they grow up in Civil War New England, separated by the war fr…Read More »
Love Among the Chickens P. G. Wodehouse

After seeing his friend Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge for the first time in years, Jeremy Garnet is dragged along on holiday to Ukridge's new chicken farm in Dorset. Hilarious situations abound with Garnet's troublesome courting of a girl living nearby and the struggles on the farm, which are worsened by Ukridge…Read More »
Love Insurance Earl Derr Biggers

Working for an American branch of Lloyds' insurers, Owen Jephson is used to underwriting unusual things—weight loss in actors, inconvenient rain at garden parties, twins in the family—nonetheless he is taken aback when Lord Harrowby asks him to insure against his fiancée jilting him at the altar. Never one to turn d…Read More »
Mike P. G. Wodehouse

Michael "Mike" Jackson is the youngest son of a renowned cricketing family. Mike's eldest brother Joe is a successful first-class player, while another brother, Bob, is on the verge of his school team. When Mike arrives at Wrykyn himself, his cricketing talent and love of adventure bring him success and trouble in e…Read More »
More Educated Evans Edgar Wallace

The further escapades of the incorrigible Evans, Edgar Wallace's Cockney hero of the Turf feature in these twelve tales. There are bets, bookmakers, horses, tip-offs, winners, journalists and women. There is banter, humour and much fun to be had along the way.
My Lady Nicotine J. M. Barrie

An ode to the power of nicotine, by the Scottish novelist and dramatist, best known for inventing the character of Peter Pan. My Lady Nicotine is one of his earlier works. Focusing on his days as a smoker, J. M. Barrie takes us through his life as a smoker to his last pipe as he begins his non-smoking days. Barrie…Read More »
My Man Jeeves P. G. Wodehouse

My Man Jeeves, first published in 1919, introduced the world to affable, indolent Bertie Wooster and his precise, capable valet, Jeeves. Some of the finest examples of humorous writing found in English literature are woven around the relationship between these two men of very different classes and temperaments. Wher…Read More »
Once on a Time A. A. Milne

"This is an odd book" or so states the author in 1917 for his first introduction. A fairytale with seven league boots, a princess, an enchantment, and the Countess Belvane. As Milne wrote in a later introduction: "_But, as you see, I am still finding it difficult to explain just what sort of book it is. Perhaps no…Read More »
Piccadilly Jim P. G. Wodehouse

In Piccadilly Jim, Jimmy Crocker has a scandalous reputation on both sides of the Atlantic and must do an about-face to win back the woman of his dreams. Uneasy Money sees the hard-up Lord Dawlish off to America to make a fortune, while in Cocktail Time events turn on the fate of a film script. Spring Fever is a lig…Read More »
Psmith in the City P. G. Wodehouse

Psmith in the City was originally released as a serial in The Captain magazine, between October 1908 and March 1909, under the title The New Fold. It continues the adventures of cricket-loving Mike Jackson and his immaculately-dressed friend Psmith, first encountered in Mike. Mike Jackson, cricketer and scion of a c…Read More »
Psmith, Journalist P. G. Wodehouse

Continuing the adventures of the silver-tongued Psmith, one of Wodehouse's best loved characters, and his friend Mike Jackson. The story begins with Psmith accompanying his fellow Cambridge student Mike to New York on a cricketing tour. Through high spirits and force of personality, Psmith takes charge of a minor pe…Read More »
Right Ho, Jeeves P. G. Wodehouse

When Jeeves suggests dreamy, soulful Gussie Fink-Nottle don scarlet tights and false beard to win over soppy Madeline Bassett, Bertie Wooster doubts this is the way to get his friend hitched. Meanwhile, Bertie's eccentric Aunt Dahlia asks him to hand out prizes at the Market Snodsbury Grammar School, which he's sure…Read More »
Something New P. G. Wodehouse

Young neighbours and fellow-writers Ashe Marson and Joan Valentine, newly met and both in need of a change of direction, find themselves drawn down to Blandings, for various reasons attempting to retrieve a scarab belonging to an American millionaire, absent-mindedly purloined by Lord Emsworth. Once within the Castl…Read More »
Tales of St. Austin's P. G. Wodehouse

St Austin’s School is the setting for these twelve delightful early Wodehouse stories. A nostalgic look at English public-school life at the turn of the twentieth century, the cricket-filled tales are made enjoyable today by the young Wodehouse’s gentle humor and witty turn of phrase.
The Adventures of Sally P. G. Wodehouse

When Sally Nicholas became an heiress, she had to cope her brother's wild theatrical ambitions and the defection of her fiance, his replacement being a strangely unattractive suitor. A trip to England only made things worse, but then a piece of speculation might just offer a happy ending.
The Book of Snobs W. M. Thackeray

A collection of satirical works on English society in the mid 19th century and attributed with coining the word snob in its current usage. This fascinating work is thoroughly recommended for anyone who is a fan of Thackeray or interested in the satire of the age. This humorous study begins with the assertion that '…Read More »
The Children Edith Wharton

A bestseller when it was first published, The Children is a comic, bittersweet novel about the misadventures of a bachelor and a band of precocious children. The seven Wheater children, stepbrothers and stepsisters grown weary of being shuttled from parent to parent are eager for their parents' latest reconciliati…Read More »
The Clicking of Cuthbert P. G. Wodehouse

Wodehouse's brilliant but human brand of humor is perfectly suited to these stories of love, rivalry, revenge, and fulfillment on the links. While the Oldest Member sits in the clubhouse quoting Marcus Aurelius on patience and wisdom, outside on the green the fiercest human passions burn. All kinds of human life are…Read More »
The Coming of Bill P. G. Wodehouse

The Coming of Bill is the nearest Wodehouse ever came to a serious novel, although the influence of the musical comedies he was writing at the time is never far away. Bill is the child of Ruth, a spoilt heiress, and Kirk, an impecunious artist of perfect physique. Their marriage has been arranged by Ruth's aunt, a…Read More »