What's So Funny? (Dortmunder Novels)
by Donald E. Westlake
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of this book.
discuss this book
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
Where's the love? Add this book to your favorite list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 122)
Do you know about Dortmunder? Man, I love Dortmunder! Here's how this one starts:
"WHEN JOHN DORTMUNDER, RELIEVED, walked out of Pointers and back to the main sales floor of the O.J. Bar & Grill on Amsterdam Avenue a little after ten that Wednesday evening in November, the silence was unbelievable, particularly in contrast with the racket that had been going on when he’d left. But now, no. Not a word, not a peep, not a word. The regulars all hunched at the bar were clutching tig...more
"WHEN JOHN DORTMUNDER, RELIEVED, walked out of Pointers and back to the main sales floor of the O.J. Bar & Grill on Amsterdam Avenue a little after ten that Wednesday evening in November, the silence was unbelievable, particularly in contrast with the racket that had been going on when he’d left. But now, no. Not a word, not a peep, not a word. The regulars all hunched at the bar were clutching tig...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in June, 2008
Another gem from the seriously under-rated Don Westlake. It's not quite as sharp as the earlier Dortmunder novels but it's still very good. The patented Westlake humour is here, of course, but Westlake tosses in more acute little observations that most "serious" novelists ever generate.
Westlake is an old pro and he makes it look easy. The Dortmunder series may not be cutting edge literature but it goes down like a cold drink on a hot day. You won't earn snob appeal points by re...more
Westlake is an old pro and he makes it look easy. The Dortmunder series may not be cutting edge literature but it goes down like a cold drink on a hot day. You won't earn snob appeal points by re...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in April, 2008
The Dortmunder novels, in case you're not a fan like me, are about John Dortmunder and his partners in crime. They are SOOOO funny. They're like a ragtag group of bumbling criminals, that get an E for Effort, but never quite get it right. In this one, they get hired to steal a solid gold chess set, and the ending is hilarious!!! These are laugh-out-loud books. Really worth reading. They all have the same characters, so it's like visiting friends every time you open one of these books u...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in August, 2008
Fast, funny crime caper, splendid observations – “he looked like the part of the missile that gets left over the Indian Ocean, plus a homburg hat”. Excellent cast of characters too, neatly and tersely drawn.
I'l definitely be looking out for the rest of the series.
One minor quibble – the blurb on the back of the book says “1944 Murmansk” – but it should be 1920 Murmansk.
I'l definitely be looking out for the rest of the series.
One minor quibble – the blurb on the back of the book says “1944 Murmansk” – but it should be 1920 Murmansk.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2007
I think I've read all of Westlake's Dortmunder mysteries, and I always enjoy them. Cookey characters, and since seeing the movie HOT ROCKS (maybe the first Dortmunder book) with Robert Redford and George Segal - I always picture them in each book I read. Light weight, but I love 'em.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in September, 2008
recommended to Jasper by:
Edwards Memorial Library in Marshville, NC
This is a book that is sort of different for me. I like sci-fi and this book is not like that, but I truly enjoyed it. If you like cops and robbers where the robbers are a little better than the cops and little twist at the end you will like this book.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
These books won't change your life, but they're a fun way to pass a few hours. My dad introduced me to these humorous crime novels, in which the audience roots for the underdog criminals, when I was in middle school. They're cute.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in November, 2007
The title tells it all. A typical cops and robbers, but always a little twist, so it's not over til it's over. Warner Books could do a better job of proof reading, more than the usual number of misspelled words.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Westlake portrays the characters of this non-threatening group of hiesters and NYC surroundings with such humor, that it is very enjoyable, easy read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
