Book Report: “The Stench of Honolulu” by Jack Handey

My friend Travis Broyles told me about this book, and his description made me laugh so hard that I purchased it immediately. Of course I am familiar with Jack Handey’s Deep Thoughts work from Saturday Night Live, but I didn’t know that he is an actual human. I thought “Jack Handey” was a fake name someone made up. Although, to be fair, it is kind of a name his parents made up.

Here’s how Travis made me want this book: he read me the first sentence.

It goes like this:

When my friend Don suggested that we go on a trip to the South Seas together, and offered to pay for the whole thing, I thought, Fine, but what’s in it for me?

There are very few humor writers in the world. Lots of standup comics. Lots of humorous TV show writers. Lots of improv people. But very few straight up humorous writers. Jack Handey is a humorous writer.

I loved all of “Stench of Honolulu.” In some ways, it’s like the lovable, dumb younger brother of “The Rum Diary” that you’d rather hang out with, maybe for no other reason than Johnny Depp isn’t likely to accept a role as anyone in it.

I liked it so much that I’ve bought another of Mr. Handey’s works, “What I’d Say To The Martians and Other Veiled Threats.” I can’t wait to read that. What a title!

Get this book. Read it. Laugh. Remember that I told you to buy it. Think of me fondly.