The classic tale of three men and a boat…and a dog. Not much more to say other than it will make you laugh……a lot.

August 2009 Guest Editor Erica James on Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome

Jerome K. Jerome wrote one of the funniest novels ever written, yet he was a man who described himself as having a “melancholy, brooding disposition”.  Comedy and tragedy often go hand in hand and I’ve always had a sense of this myself and my novels invariably contain both of these important elements.

Win a luxury craft weekend break on Dartmoor

Dartmoor.co.uk has teamed up with Lovereading to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a prize package of accommodation for 2 at Lurcombe luxury apartments during the Contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey on June 7–9th, including day tickets to attend the festival itself plus Dinner for two (including a bottle of wine) in one of our leading gastro pubs the Rock Inn and a delicious lunch for two at Home Farm Café set in the scenic grounds of the National Trust Estate at Parke in Bovey Tracey.

Please note that this draw is open only for UK residents and is free to enter. Draw closes on 27 May 2013. The winner will be chosen randomly from all entrants.The winners will be notified by 1 June 2013. The decision of the judges is final. By providing us with your contact details when you enter the competition you are agreeing to future contact from Dartmoor.co.uk and it's selected partners.

Please CLICK HERE to see the specific terms and conditions linked to the prize.

Synopsis

What could be more relaxing than a refreshing holiday on the river with your two best friends and faithful canine companion, Montmorency? However, as J. discovers, there is more to life on the waves than meets the eye – including navigational challenges, culinary disasters, and heroic battles with swans, kettles and tins of pineapple. Jerome K. Jerome’s delightful novel has kept readers smiling for years and his prose has found a perfect partner in Vic Reeves’s glorious and witty illustrations.

ILLUSTRATED WITH THIRTY ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS BY COMEDIAN AND ARTIST VIC REEVES – EXCLUSIVE TO VINTAGE CLASSICS

Reviews

'Wonderfully fresh and funny, and among examples of Victorian humour I would place it high in the pantheon, right up there with The Importance of Being Earnest and The Diary of a Nobody…Jerome's writing…triumphantly stands the test of time, with its comic flights of exaggeration, its occasional archness, and its entirely innocent hint of the camp' Daily Telegraph

'A charming comedy of friendship and human nature' Independent
 
'As well as being very funny, it captures the innocence of a time before adventure became synonymous with bungee jumping into ravines in faraway places' Observer
 
'Brought laughter to a country in the throes of Victorian gloom' The Times
 
'One of the funniest books I've ever read. I laughed out loud and that doesn't happen often Vic Reeves' Daily Express

About the Author

Jerome Klapka Jerome was born in Walsall on 2 May 1859 and brought up in East London. After his father died, Jerome left school at fourteen and worked as a railway clerk, actor, journalist and teacher. In 1885 he published On the Stage – and Off which was followed in 1886 by Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow. In 1888 Jerome married Georgina Stanley and a year later he published his most famous work, Three Men in a Boat. The sequel, Three Men on the Bummel, appeared in 1900. Jerome also wrote several other novels, plays, stories and autobiographical writings, edited The Idler and Today magazines and, during the First World War, worked for the French ambulance service. Jerome K. Jerome died on 14 June 1927. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation