Three Men in a Boat and Three Men on the Bummel [Paperback]

Jerome K. Jerome (Author), Jeremy Lewis (Editor, Contributor)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: May 1, 2000

Martyrs to hypochondria and general seediness, J. and his friends George and Harris decide that a jaunt up the Thames would suit them to a 'T'. But when they set off, they can hardly predict the troubles that lie ahead with tow-ropes, unreliable weather-forecasts and tins of pineapple chunks - not to mention the devastation left in the wake of J.'s small fox-terrier Montmorency. "Three Men in a Boat" was an instant success when it appeared in 1889, and proved so popular that Jerome reunited his now older - but not necessarily wiser - heroes in "Three Men on the Bummel", for a picaresque bicycle tour of Germany. With their benign escapism, authorial discursions and wonderful evocation of the late-Victorian 'clerking classes', both novels hilariously capture the spirit of their age.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jerome K Jerome (1859-1927) became an actor and published a couple of volumes of humorous pieces and light essays about the theatre. He achieved lasting fame with THREE MEN IN A BOAT. He later went on to become one of the founders of the humorous magazine, The Idler, and continued to write articles and plays. Jeremy Lewis has recently written a biography of Cyril Connolly and has edited the Raffles books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140437509
• ISBN-13: 978-0140437508
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.8 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,225 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roaringly Funny, May 28, 2002

By 

Jeffrey Leach (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Three Men in a Boat and Three Men on the Bummel (Paperback)

I have been reading some good, but bleak literature lately, so I decided to turn to something a bit lighthearted. I think there is nothing better to fit that bill than Jerome K Jerome's hilarious "Three Men in a Boat." This Penguin edition also adds "Three Men on the Bummel," a worthy sequel that Jerome wrote roughly ten years later. I cannot believe I'd never heard of these gems before. This is, without a doubt, one of the funniest books I've ever read. Despite the fact that Jerome is writing to us from the Victorian era, the humor is timeless. The writing style could be a bit touchy for some, but for me, that is what added extra dimensions of humor to the stories. It's the intricate way Jerome conveys his acidic comments that leave you in stitches.

"Three Men in a Boat" is certainly the more humorous of the two. In this tale, three friends, J., George, and Harris, with Montmorency the dog in tow, decide to take a jaunt down the Thames for rest and relaxation. What ensues is a wild stream of hilarious tales and misadventures. Often, the trip takes a backseat to the stories, as J. talks about an assortment of topics. My favorite stories concerned the cheese, the weather, and the German singing the "humorous" song. Another favorite is the descriptions of how the three learned to sail and row. I don't want to give away any of the details of these stories because they are just too hilarious; I would also kill the humor if I tried to relate them. This story also gives some detail to historical places along the river. The introduction to this book shows how historical accounts of river travel were quite popular. Jerome set out to write such an account, and the publisher dropped much of this material and left the funny anecdotes intact.

"Three Men on the Bummel," written in 1900, reunites the three (minus Montmorency) for a biking excursion in Germany. While still funny in spots, it lacks the vigor of its predecessor. I found the tale about the water hose a hoot, but Jerome tends to spend more time on travelogue. His observations about the German people are eerily prophetic, as you'll see when you read the book. The language is still acid sharp, and Jerome has an interesting eye for details that make this story a joy to read.

If you don't mind roaring at the misfortunes of others, and enjoy wry sarcasm, you will delight in these two stories. Also, you are lying if you don't recognize Uncle Podger in your own family. As I write this review, I'm chuckling over the memory of some of the stories. In fact, you may want to be careful while reading this; you'll continue to laugh later as more layers of Jerome's humor emerge in your mind. A great book for a rainy day!

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great antidote against winter blues and more!, January 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Three Men in a Boat / Three Men on the Bummel (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

I first read this book in translation to Russian, many (too many!) years ago. In the former Soviet Union (and in Russia proper, before there ever was a Soviet Union), this and other books by Jerome. K. Jerome were very popular. When I came to Boston 20 years ago as a refugee from Soviet Union, this was one of the first books I bought. I was hoping that, in its original language, it would be even a greater fun to read and I was not disappointed! In fact, the book has been in constant use ever since, having been loaned to many friends and even taken by some of them on a holiday trip to England (which included a week-long boat trip on the Thames!). It is very funny and its wit is timeless. This book is a great antidote against winter blues. It is also good as a remedy for our tendency to exaggerate shortcomings of others while papering over our own little faults and imperfections. Whether discussing their problems, high on the list of which is their "general disinclination to work of any kind", or planning their trip and packing supplies for it; whether rowing their boat or pitching a tent and trying to keep dry on a rainy night -- the characters are totally alive and recognizable. In fact, I am sure we all met people just like them, except they were not dressed as Victorian gentlemen on a holiday! But forget what they wear and what items they pack (or forget to pack) for their trip, or the fact that a cab they take to the railroad station is horse-driven, and these guys could be living in an apartment next door! Never will you hang another picture on your wall without thinking of Uncle Poger and never will you buy Stilton cheese again without some trepidation! I'd recommend this (and other Jerome's books, especially, "Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow") to anyone above the age of 12 and possessed of even a bit of a sense of humor. P.S. Did I mention that this book improves upon re-reading? A rare quality, indeed!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the funniest books ever!!!, July 17, 2001

By 

Ilya Meyzin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Three Men in a Boat and Three Men on the Bummel (Paperback)

Warning: if you have any abdominal problems - for your own sake do not read this book cause you will die laughing! There are some great books, and then there are some all-time best. Three Men In A Boat unquestionably belongs to the latter category. This is easily one of my all-time favorites, and since I first read it when I was 11, I have re-read it well over 10 times, every time discovering new layers of Jerome's humor. It's a very different type of humor from the one we are used to from the contemporary sit-coms. This humor is very refined and sharp, always on the boundary with acid sarcasm. The characters in the book are so real and alive that you will definitely recognize in them someone that you know, or maybe even yourself at times. The overall quality of writing is incredible, and I must reiterate - hours of non-stopping laughter are guaranteed! If you haven't read it, you can't imagine what you are missing!