Around the World in 80 Books discussion

Start discussion here for Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome.

From Bookrags.com:



1. Discuss Jerome's inclusion of stories and anecdotes into his narrative. What purpose do they serve?

2. Why does Jerome insert short, serious passages, such as the tale of the woman who commits suicide? How do they affect the story?

3. Is Jerome's humor still funny to a modern audience? Why or why not?

4. How does Jerome use humor to make more serious statements?

5. Discuss J's opinion that access to the river and the riverbank should be open to all people. Do you agree or disagree?

6. How are women portrayed in "Three Men in a Boat?"

7. Why does Jerome spend so little time describing the journey home?

I just have to say that I found the start of his book to be hysterical, in part because I always tease my sister about being a hypochondriac, because she does get very paranoid above diseases and getting sick, and her purse is like a mini-pharmacy.

It also made me think of today with the internet and people trying to self-diagnosis, There was a comedian who made the joke that whenever you look anything up on Web-MD the answer is always cancer, which is funny because it is true.

If you try and google any symptom you will come up with all the worse case scenarios, and these sever, terrible fatal diseases that one could easily convince themselves that they where gravely ill.

Thanks for posting the discussion questions, Diane.

I have borrowed the book from the library in 2 formats, e book and audiobook.

I listened to Chapter 1 while working out at the gym. It amused me, which is a blessing when doing repetitive exercise at the gym. This book caught my attention, because I have been to London and vicinity several times. Once or twice I took a ferry down the Thames. I an interested in how the author describes the river 100 years prior to my visit.

I will be back for further discussion once I have read more of the book.

Silver wrote: "I just have to say that I found the start of his book to be hysterical, in part because I always tease my sister about being a hypochondriac, because she does get very paranoid above diseases and g..."

So true.

Silver wrote: "I just have to say that I found the start of his book to be hysterical, in part because I always tease my sister about being a hypochondriac, because she does get very paranoid above diseases and g..."

Silver wrote: "I just have to say that I found the start of his book to be hysterical, in part because I always tease my sister about being a hypochondriac, because she does get very paranoid above diseases and g..."

I work in a medical library and I can totally empathize with the narrator!

I thought there was some beautiful passages describing nature, which where really quite poetic, it was surprising to see such writing amid all the little humorous moments and rambling stories.

Slowly the golden memory of the dead sun fades from the hearts of the cold, sad clouds. Silent, like sorrowing children, the birds have ceased their song, and only the moorhen’s plaintive cry and the harsh croak of the corncrake stirs the awed hush around the couch of waters, where the dying day breathes out her last

From the dim woods on either bank, Night’s ghostly army, the grey shadows, creep out with noiseless tread to chase away the lingering rear-guard of the light, and pass, with noiseless, unseen “feet, above the waving river-grass, and through the sighing rushes; and Night, upon her sombre throne, folds her black wings above the darkening world, and, from her phantom palace, lit by the pale stars, reigns in stillness

Also I found the whole scene about discussing if they should camp out or not reminded me a lot of the children's book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"

They start with this one simple idea, and it devolves into all the calamities that might follow.

If we go camping out side than it might rain,
if it rains we will have to bail out our boat, all our food will get water in it, and we won't be able to smoke our tobacco.
When we go to bed we will have bad dreams and the tent will blow over,
then when we wake up we will all catch colds.

Silver wrote: "I thought there was some beautiful passages describing nature, which where really quite poetic, it was surprising to see such writing amid all the little humorous moments and rambling stories.

Slo..."

For me, part of the attraction is the diversity of characters. There is the guy who goes off on these lengthy poetic descriptions as you commented on, Silver. Then there is an abrupt change to his comments about Harris who is the opposite . Harris is someone who would never weep from the beauty of nature, only from cutting a raw onion. Then for additional diversity, I am enjoying how the dog is included as a character, with his own perspective on various aspects of planning for the trip. Fun reading. I am still in the early part of the book. Just finished Chapter 2.

Janet wrote: For me, part of the attraction is the diversity of characters. One guy who goes off on these lengthy poetic descriptions, followed by his comment about Harris who is the total opposite. "

I really like seeing the thoughts/opinions of the dog at least as they are perceived by his owner.

I could relate to the lengthy discussion about camping out vs. staying in a hotel or inn. Sometimes, I get hung up in the "what if's" in trying to make a decision. Some of my reasoning will follow the pattern that Jerome describes...and then..and then..and then...with each step seeming more catastrophic as I continue to ponder ramifications. In the end, the solution is as obvious as Jerome's characters. In nice weather, camp out. In rainy weather stay in an inn or hotel.

I have never read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, but I am adding it to my TBR for a fun quick read. I am aware of the book from when my daughter was young. Of the hundreds of children's books we read, that is one that we missed. Time for some remedial reading.

I have mixed feelings about the little antidotes within the story. One the one hand they can be amusing, the whole story about the uncle hanging up the picture was entertaining. But on the other hand some of them go on for so long I do get a little impatient because I want to get back to the main story and find out what happens on the trip.

I did laugh out loud at this joke:

everything has its drawbacks, as the man said when his mother-in-law died, and they came down upon him for the funeral expenses

Silver, I haven't been moving forward the past couple of days, so I had not read the mother-in-law joke. Too funny.

I should be back on track by tomorrow.

Maybe I can check out this book someday, can't squeeze it in right now, but love a humorous read.

Sarah wrote: "Maybe I can check out this book someday, can't squeeze it in right now, but love a humorous read."

Sarah, I think it is a good one to have in line, for when you need a break from really serious reading. I just finished a buddy read on Twelve Years a Slave. The timing for reading this book is perfect for me.

I am watching boat races on the Thames live on BBC. It is an exciting race (Cambridge vs.Oxford). It is fascinating to look at the Thames in 2014 and imagine it in the days of Jerome K. Jerome.

I expect that there has not been a huge change beyond paved roads. The buildings lining the river are generally quite old. I can see places to "put in" boats along the river. This is partly educational for me, because I have only seen the stretch of the Thames in London between the Tower of London and Big Bend.

The visual detail is terrific. It is very overcast and the water is a bit choppy, The grass and vegetation along the bank of the river are a vivid green.

The race is taking place on a stretch west of London. I don't recall the location where the 3 men in a boat....and the dog started and ended their adventure.

Oxford won...maybe next year for the Cambridge.

Time to get back to the book to continue the adventure.

How fun, Janet! I read this about a year ago and loved Jeremy's scenic descriptions. So quaint! Nice to think it hasn't changed that much.

This book has made me want to walk the Thames Path. I even got to the point of looking up possible places to stay and eat along the way.

Carol wrote: "This book has made me want to walk the Thames Path. I even got to the point of looking up possible places to stay and eat along the way."

Oh Carol, you really must if you are nearby. I didn't even know about the Thames Path.

If you go, you can just use the packing list provided by the 3 gents...that will weigh you down. And, don't forget to bring a dog along.

I am currently just 20% done. They have just arrived at the boat,

I need to look up Kingston as their staring point.

Be back after I read a bit more.

The first few chapters were quite funny but just as Silver mentions her impatience above, sometimes he goes on and on and I get a bit tired. Overall the narrator is excellent and the story is a welcome relief from the dystopian societies in sci-fi I've been listening to.

I know so many people who never tire in the art of self-diagnosis and I started my walk out yesterday by beginning the story and hearing that. I received many curious glances as I was laughing heartily for no apparent reason (the earpiece was hidden under my hair).

Did my research on Kingston as well as accomodations in the area. It was a fun activity, but sorry to say the trip is not going to be a reality in the near future. Carol, be sure to report back if you go.

Powder River Rose, I have the book in 2 formats, both on library loan. When listening to the audio, I found that my mind wandered when Jerome went on a long tangent. Then I had trouble getting re-focused. I am finding the e book a bit easier for this title. It is easier for me to go back see visually where the tangent began, how much left to go. Of course, my preference may have to do with being more of a visual than auditory person.

In general I enjoyed Jerome's tangents of thought. It helped capture the experience because canoeing is like that - one whiles the day away. I think my favorite scene in the book was when he was off in his little la-la land and bam! they had a close encounter with a larger river craft.

Mmars wrote: "In general I enjoyed Jerome's tangents of thought. It helped capture the experience because canoeing is like that - one whiles the day away. I think my favorite scene in the book was when he was ..."

Haven't gotten there yet, Mmars. Sounds like a good one. I seem to be meandering through the book. No complaints here. The ride on the river is pleasant.

I just finished the book but I won't write any spoilers. My poor husband had to put up with me following him around today asking if I could read a passage out loud to him. Suffice it to say we both got quite laugh out of the antics of the dog. Some of the stories within the story were quite somber in nature but that only exaggerated the humorous bits. I really enjoyed this book as it is a far cry from the other books I'm reading for other book groups right now. I needed the giggles.

I'm just getting started and finding it pretty humorous so far!

My library loan just expired. I think I will try to download it again.

While I read this, I thought it was hilarious and enjoyed all the side comments that got tangled up in themselves -- reminded me of someone I know who almost never gets back to the original point. But afterward I read the explanation that Jerome wrote this to be a travel guide to the Thames. Hence the serious bits about nature and the towns along the way that he loved. That helped make sense of it -- that the ultimate aim was the journey (and also an explanation for why he didn't need to describe the return trip) and its description. But he sure threw some great characters and stories in with it.

Janet wrote: "Carol wrote: "This book has made me want to walk the Thames Path. I even got to the point of looking up possible places to stay and eat along the way."

Oh Carol, you really must if you are nearby..."

I hope to make a trip to the UK soon so I just might be able to take a bit of a walk on the path. I looked up several of the Inns that Jerome mentioned and they are still in business.

THREE MEN IN A BOAT, Jerome K. Jerome, 1889.

The narrator is J., the author, who recounts a trip up the Thames from Kingston to Oxford in a small sailing vessel equipped with oars along with two friends and his dog. J's reflections about incidents that happen, human nature and reminiscences of the past are filled with humor and sarcasm. As a sculler, he shows disdain for the big hoggish steam launches that frequent the river, but when a friend gives their boat a tow, his tune changes for comic relief.

Keep a map handy to follow all the spots mentioned, some of historical significance like Runnymede, Magna Carta Island, and Windsor until they disembark at Oxford. Great adventure.

In a way I think all the little antidotes within the story is somewhat reflective of the feeling of meandering down a river. You never know what might be just around the next bend, or what direction the river will turn off into next. The way the story goes along with all these little detours is a bit like the way the water itself adapts itself to the changing landscape around it. Sometimes it has to curve around some obstacle, sometimes it is diverged away from its original course.

Nicely put. The anecdotes just spring up as the mood changes or some cue is picked up from the surroundings.