Journal Entry 1 by geishabird from Toronto, Ontario Canada on Sunday, May 15, 2005

'There were four of us - George, William Samuel Harris, and myself, and Montmorency.'

So begins THREE MEN IN A BOAT, perhaps the best-loved comic novel of the Victorian era. It describes the boating expedition on the Thames of the three friends and Montmorency the dog. The difficulties and vicissitudes of these innocents abroad are magnified to epic proportions, and give the book the air of fresh innocence that has ensured its enduring popularity.

This is quite a charming tale, in the style of Dickens or Twain, I would say. It probably won't have you rolling on the floor with laughter, but it will make you smile and maybe giggle a bit. It's a fun story, with engaging characters and smart humour.

NOTE: I bought this copy at a yard sale, and it carries the following inscription:

'Merry Christmas 2001 Brian. Here's to good sailing & laughing. Love Susan & (Merv?)'

What's really funny is that this book looks to have sustained some (very slight) water damage at some point... 

Journal Entry 2 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Thursday, August 11, 2005

Book has arrived! Thank you. :) 

Journal Entry 3 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Reserved for ghir. 

Journal Entry 4 by caligula03 from Hayward, California USA on Sunday, June 04, 2006

Very funny book! It was especially fun to read after having read Connie Willis's To Say Nothing of the Dog to see where she had taken passages from this book to insert into her book. It really made it seemed like her characters had traveled back in time to interact with Jerome, George and Harris.

Even without the added enjoyment of To Say Nothing of the Dog, the writing is humorous and delightful. Scenes that stand out are the packing of food, the opening of the pineapple can, and the singing of comedy songs. 

Journal Entry 5 by caligula03 at on Sunday, June 04, 2006

Released 5 yrs ago (7/2/2006 UTC) at

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RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing to ghir to complete a reverse relay offer. 

Journal Entry 6 by ghir from Honolulu, Hawaii USA on Saturday, July 08, 2006

Received safely today. Thanks so much for the trade! Will read and pass along.

I don't know if I'd find it funnier if I were in a different mood, but this was tedious. This is the story of three rich, stupid, lazy, self-centered jerks going on a pleasure trip and not finding much pleasure in it. I don't find self-absorbed fools humorous, but rather tragic and irritating. Disliked A Confederacy of Dunces for the same reason.

The dog, however, is funny.

Sending this to MrMustard to fulfill a wish, 5/8/07. 

Journal Entry 7 by MrMustard from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 15, 2007

This was recommended to me a while ago by a good friend, so I put it on my Wish List. A big THANK YOU to ghir for sending it to me. It is much appreciated. I find it very interesting that ghir compares this with 'A Confederacy of Dunces'. I loved that book, so I'll hopefully enjoy this! 

Journal Entry 8 by MrMustard from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, June 25, 2007

As funny as I was expecting, which is to say, very funny indeed. A beautifully told tale of a trip up the Thames undertaken by three idle sods and a long suffering, and none too bright, dog. The narrator is a classic comedy character, simply refusing to acknowledge his own shortcomings, but exceedingly quick to spot the failings in others. This might grate if it wasn't for the fact that his companions are clearly equally as bad. A very pleasant read, and one that really brightened up my daily tube journey. 

Journal Entry 9 by MrsMustard on Wednesday, November 07, 2007

I've picked this up from Mr Mustard's bookshelf as it looks interesting and I know he found it very funny. I began reading it this morning, and so far, so good! 

Journal Entry 10 by MrMustard from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, May 21, 2009

MrsMustard has read this now and I think she enjoyed it. She just never gets round to updating stuff on this site. Anyway, I'm claiming it back and marking it as 'available'. 

Journal Entry 11 by kingfan30 from Corby Glen, Lincolnshire United Kingdom on Thursday, July 30, 2009

Thanks for sending it MrMustard it has arrived safe and sound. I see what you mean about the condition but don't worry about that as I love a book that looks like it has been well read and has that lovely old book smell to it.

15 Feb 10 - I enjoyed reading this book as there were a lot of places in it where I grew up and spent a lot of time with my dad by the river, so hearing about Marlow, Cookham, Hurley, Henley, Maidenhead was lovely. Also nice to see Bisham Abbey get a good mention as we nearly got married there! Not a laugh out loud book, but it did make me smile at times, particularly the story of his uncle putting up a picture (sounds like my husband!). 

Journal Entry 12 by kingfan30 at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Released 2 yrs ago (2/17/2010 UTC) at Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom

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Weather permitting, I will pop it in the post at lunch time today. 

Journal Entry 13 by mafarrimond from Hawarden, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, February 19, 2010

Received today. Thanks for sharing.