Really enjoyed it. Lots of stupid tales - surprisingly fresh for 1889.
As per the title, it's a story, almost, of three men (and their dog), who take a boat from Kingston upon Thames to Oxford.
I learnt that originally the book was written as a tour guide of the Thames which explains some of the diversions into the history of particular towns or parts of the river.
As it turned out, Jerome's stories had so much humour that it turned into the book we have today.
It's told from his perspective, even referring to himself as "J." and occasionally breaks through the story to remind the reader that he promised to keep to the truth the the story (which ironically there's a lot of references to fisherman and river workers that have time honoured tradition of lying).
Although there's a touch of sadness towards the end of the book, as the Three Men start their journey home in the rain, the bulk of the book is humourous and made me chuckle along quite often.
As Jerome rambles along the river with his friends, retelling stories either from himself or his companions.
I did really enjoy the book, and mostly because of the stupidity of the characters which I found myself easily relating to (having my own stupidity inner monologue).
Finally, for a book written in the late nineteenth century, I was quite surprised how tender some of the more sombre parts of the book could be.
Holds up surprisingly well nearly 140 year old book about a row boat on the Thames.
7 Highlights
There were no more diseases after zymosis, so I concluded there was nothing else the matter with me.
And don’t stuff up your head with things you don’t understand.”
Rainwater is the chief article of diet at supper. The bread is two-thirds rainwater, the beefsteak-pie is exceedingly rich in it, and the jam, and the butter, and the salt, and the coffee have all combined with it to make soup.
My note: hashtag camping
But who wants to be foretold the weather? It is bad enough when it comes, without our having the misery of knowing about it beforehand.
Harris said that the danger about desert islands, as far as he had heard, was that they were so damp: but George said no, not if properly drained.
ye miserable, long-nosed, dirty-looking scoundrel,
My note: the dog to the kettle!
George suggested walking back to Henley and assaulting a policeman, and so getting a night’s lodging in the station-house. But then there was the thought, “Suppose he only hits us back and refuses to lock us up!” We could not pass the whole night fighting policemen. Besides, we did not want to overdo the thing and get six months.
My note: This book is full of stupid and delightful lines like this.