The Rewind: Comedy Through The Decades

In a world of ever-changing trends and shifting tastes, there is one genre of literature that has remained a constant source of joy and entertainment for readers of all ages: Comedy. From the slapstick humor of silent films to the witty banter of modern sitcoms, comedy has endured through the decades, transcending boundaries of time and culture to bring laughter to audiences around the globe. As we embark on this exploration of the enduring appeal of comedy literature, it's worth reflecting on what makes this genre so timeless. Perhaps it's the universal language of laughter, which knows no barriers of language or geography. Or maybe it's the innate human desire to find joy and humor in even the most challenging of circumstances, using laughter as a means of coping with the ups and downs of life.

Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: comedy has a unique ability to connect us, to bridge the gaps between generations and cultures, and to remind us of our shared humanity. Whether we're roaring with laughter at the antics of a bumbling protagonist or chuckling at the clever wordplay of a witty dialogue, comedy has a way of bringing us together and reminding us that, no matter how different we may seem, we all share a common love of laughter. As we continue on, we'll be exploring some of the most beloved and influential comedy books from the past century. From timeless classics to contemporary gems, each decade has brought us a wealth of comedic talent and unforgettable characters that have kept readers chuckling for generations. Whether you're a die-hard fan of slapstick humor, biting satire, or clever wordplay, there's something for everyone on this comedic journey. Let's dive in and explore the laughter-filled pages that have stood the test of time!

Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh

Published: 1930

The Bright Young Things of 1920s Mayfair, with their paradoxical mix of innocence and sophistication, exercise their inventive minds and vile bodies in every kind of capricious escapade, whether it is promiscuity, dancing, cocktail parties or sports cars. A vivid assortment of characters, among them the struggling writer Adam Fenwick-Symes and the glamorous, aristocratic Nina Blount, hunt fast and furiously for ever greater sensations and the hedonistic fulfilment of their desires. Evelyn Waugh’s acidly funny and experimental satire shows a new generation emerging in the years after the First World War, revealing the darkness and vulnerability beneath the glittering surface of the high life.

The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

Published: 1945

Few aristocratic English families of the twentieth century enjoyed the glamorous notoriety of the infamous Mitford sisters. Nancy Mitford's most famous novel, The Pursuit of Love satirizes British aristocracy in the twenties and thirties through the amorous adventures of the Radletts, an exuberantly unconventional family closely modelled on Mitford's own.

The Radletts of Alconleigh occupy the heights of genteel eccentricity, from terrifying Lord Alconleigh (who, like Mitford's father, used to hunt his children with bloodhounds when foxes were not available), to his gentle wife, Sadie, their wayward daughter Linda, and the other six lively Radlett children. Mitford's wickedly funny prose follows these characters through misguided marriages and dramatic love affairs, as the shadow of World War II begins to close in on their rapidly vanishing world.

Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit by P.G. Wodehouse

Published: October 15, 1954

When Bertie Wooster goes to stay with his Aunt Dahlia at Brinkley Court and finds himself engaged to the imperious Lady Florence Craye, disaster threatens from all sides. While Florence tries to cultivate his mind, her former fiancé, hefty ex-policeman 'Stilton' Cheesewright, threatens to beat his body to a pulp, and her new admirer, the bleating poet Percy Gorringe, tries to borrow a thousand pounds. To cap it all, Bertie has incurred the disapproval of Jeeves by growing a moustache. Throw in a disappearing pearl necklace, Aunt Dahlia's magazine Milady's Boudoir, her cook Anatole, the Drones Club Darts match and Mr and Mrs L.G. Trotter from Liverpool, and you have all the ingredients for a classic Wodehouse farce.

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Published: November 10, 1961

Set in Italy during World War II, this is the story of the incomparable, malingering bombardier, Yossarian, a hero who is furious because thousands of people he has never met are trying to kill him. But his real problem is not the enemy—it is his own army, which keeps increasing the number of missions the men must fly to complete their service. Yet if Yossarian makes any attempt to excuse himself from the perilous missions he’s assigned, he’ll be in violation of Catch-22, a hilariously sinister bureaucratic rule: a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions, but if he makes a formal request to be removed from duty, he is proven sane and therefore ineligible to be relieved.

The Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna

Published: 1975

A journalist and a photographer set out on an assignment on lovely sunny evening. As they drive through the country they hit a young hare. Vatanen, the journalist, leaves the car and goes in search of the injured creature. The grateful animal adopts Vatanen and together the two scamper through farcical adventures and political scandal.

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend

Published: October 7, 1982

Adrian Mole's first love, Pandora, has left him; a neighbor, Mr. Lucas, appears to be seducing his mother (and what does that mean for his father?); the BBC refuses to publish his poetry; and his dog swallowed the tree off the Christmas cake. "Why" indeed.

Straight Man by Richard Russo

Published: 1997

Hank Devereaux, a fifty-year-old, one-time novelist now serving as temporary chair of the English department, has more than a mid-life crisis to contend with when he learns that he must cull 20 per cent of his department to meet budget. Half in love with three women, unable to understand his younger daughter or come to terms with his father, he has a dangerous philosophy that life, and academic life, could be simpler, but he fails to see the larger consequences of his own actions or of the small-world politics that ebb and flow around him, as his colleagues jostle for position and marriages fall apart and regroup. The despair of his wife, and the scourge of the campus geese, he is a man at odds with himself and caught somewhere between cause and effect.

A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif

Published: May 20, 2008

Intrigue and subterfuge combine with bad luck and good in this darkly comic debut about love, betrayal, tyranny, family, and a conspiracy trying its damnedest to happen.

Ali Shigri, Pakistan Air Force pilot and Silent Drill Commander of the Fury Squadron, is on a mission to avenge his father's suspicious death, which the government calls a suicide. Ali's target is none other than General Zia ul-Haq, dictator of Pakistan. Enlisting a rag-tag group of conspirators, including his cologne-bathed roommate, a hash-smoking American lieutenant, and a mango-besotted crow, Ali sets his elaborate plan in motion. There's only one problem: the line of would-be Zia assassins is longer than he could have possibly known.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Published: August 14, 2012

Bernadette Fox has vanished.

When her daughter Bee claims a family trip to Antarctica as a reward for perfect grades, Bernadette, a fiercely intelligent shut-in, throws herself into preparations for the trip. But worn down by years of trying to live the Seattle life she never wanted, Ms. Fox is on the brink of a meltdown. And after a school fundraiser goes disastrously awry at her hands, she disappears, leaving her family to pick up the pieces--which is exactly what Bee does, weaving together an elaborate web of emails, invoices, and school memos that reveals a secret past Bernadette has been hiding for decades. Where'd You Go Bernadette is an ingenious and unabashedly entertaining novel about a family coming to terms with who they are and the power of a daughter's love for her mother.

Learning From the Past

As we reach the end of our journey through the decades of comedic literature, one thing is abundantly clear: laughter truly is the best medicine, and comedy literature is its prescription. In a world that often feels divided and uncertain, comedy literature serves as a reminder of the power of humor to unite us, to uplift our spirits, and to remind us of the joy that can be found in even the most mundane moments of life. It transcends time and space, bringing smiles to the faces of readers young and old, and reminding us that, no matter how tough things may seem, there's always something to laugh about. Whether you're in need of a pick-me-up on a rainy day or simply looking to escape into a world of laughter and fun, comedy literature is always there to welcome you with open arms. May your days be filled with laughter, your hearts with joy, and your bookshelves with timeless comedies that never fail to bring a smile to your face. Until next time, keep laughing and keep reading!