<http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140282602/t/202-2387731-4487863>   
After reading this book, you would be shocked to find that it had been written so long ago. I'm not the most educated of people but this is one of the funniest books I have ever read. Everyday humour delivered in a timeless way. The characters are so realistic, with more than a passing resemblance to many people you know. You will wonder why everyone hasn't read this book. Funny, funny, funny. Thanks J.K.J.

<http://www.newimprovedhead.com/inaboat.htm>   

My favorite passage, pp. 144-145:

<http://www.abacci.com/books/book.asp?bookID=2343> 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!

<http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/6422/rev0690.html>    Three Men in a Boat may be one of the best known classics of English language humour, but bits of it have dated quite seriously. The novel tells the story of a short holiday taken by three bachelors (and a dog), rowing a boat up the Thames from Kingston to Oxford and is part commentary on the ludicrous misadventures which are part of the trip and part parodyu of Victorian travelogues. It is the second aspect which has dated; modern travel writers tend not to be as rhapsodic as the mid-Victorians, nor are they so determined to improve the minds of their readers. This makes them less easy targets. A parodic element which has dated better is the way in which "J." (the narrator) continually derives silly lessons about how to live life from their experiences.

Apart from these sections, the story has retained its freshness and humour. Much of it is rather predictable, pretty much what one would expect of a group of bachelors on a camping holiday (though missing the sexual joking which would probably fill much of any modern equivalent). There are problems with camping equipment, an inability to cook, and arguments about the distribution of work. This last inspires what it probably the most famous quotation from the novel: "Work fascinates me. I could sit and look at it for hours."

The best part of the novel is the beginning, when the three of them are deciding to go for a holiday. One of the main reasons for this decision is "J."'s hypochondira, which convinces him that he is suffering from every complaint in a medical dictionary except for housemaid's knee. (This is typical of the jokes throughout the novel.)

Jerome K Jerome's classic tale of three men taking a jolly good rest by sailing up the Thames is brought to life by four friends from the Adaptable Theatre Company.

Martin Harvey, Ian Pearce, Steve Crump and John Watson - friends and colleagues with a passion for good drama it is clear - bring the dream to life in the Bedford Studio at Exeter's Barnfield Theatre.

I love the Bedford Studio. It affords an intimate evening akin to being invited to hear a story in the comfort of some chap's front room.

The late Victorian true English gentlemen we recognise instantly. They enjoy jolly fine wine, dashed good food, quality tobacco, outlandish jackets, messing about in boats, and otherwise finding ways of not bally well doing very much, thank you.

The performance starts as soon as you arrive. The Three Men are already in character and show you to your seat with enthusiasm, with a jelly baby or two to make you feel at home.
Alas, no chance of a drop of English Malt though.

The play presents itself as the novel does, with characters proving the narration - that marvellous trick of stepping out of the action and commentating on yourselves.

But for necessary omissions, the text is faithful to Jerome's original. Watson is billed as The American. He provides sound effects and atmospheric music throughout on the guitar and banjo, as well as being all the other characters with whom the Three Men come into contact.

It's tricky to put my finger on why, but there was a smile on my face throughout. Certainly the occasional slapstick moment raised a belly laugh, perhaps the imagined journey brought about the sense of well-being.

No, I've got it - the cast were having great fun, broad beams across their faces, and a childlike excitement at the joy of playing. That's what cheered me.

With a simple set - some easy chairs and a chest along the centre of the room and the audience flanking it on either side - it's astonishing quite how conveniently the images are conjured up; from living room to river bank, from rowing boat to swish restaurant.

The convenient transition from one to another does not seem contrived. It's as if they're just telling you the story at home and they just happened to have a handy prop or two.

A runaway imagination, a warm welcome, and three fine friends. What a jolly good show it is. To say nothing of the dog.

Please tell me you have read the book and this is just for kicks. In my opinion Jerome ranks way up there with Wodehouse and co. when it comes to rolling on the floor clutching your stomach kind of humour. This book is one of his best known and loved works and details in some detail the trip taken by the three men down the Thames along with a dog. Jerome writes in an idling mock serious style and generously peppers it with wildly funny anecdotes. Irish stew, trouts, trousers and cheese all get the customary nods. The book is actually a sort of travelogue too with a lot of attention paid to accuracy. It is one of those fantasies whose charm never fades. Recommended for those desirous of a full warm feeling post read. If you like this you should have no trouble buying bummel and some of jerome’s other works like ’’idle thoughts of an idle fellow’’.