The Other Jerome K. Jerome

by Jerome K. Jerome

Nowadays Jerome K. Jerome is mainly known for his comic masterpiece Three Men in a Boat. But he was very much more than a one-book wonder, writing plays, essays, short stories, sketches, and other novels. The Other Jerome K Jerome is, in effect, a Jerome reader, providing a carefully chosen selection from his other works demonstrative of the variety and brilliance of his writing. Including excepts from On the Stages other works.

Hardcover

First published October 21, 2011

About the author

Jerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humorist, best known for the comic travelogue Three Men in a Boat (1889). Other works include the essay collections Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow (1886) and Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow; Three Men on the Bummel, a sequel to Three Men in a Boat; and several other novels. Jerome was born in Walsall, England, and, although he was able to attend grammar school, his family suffered from poverty at times, as did he as a young man trying to earn a living in various occupations. In his twenties, he was able to publish some work, and success followed. He married in 1888, and the honeymoon was spent on a boat on the River Thames; he published Three Men in a Boat soon afterwards. He continued to write fiction, non-fiction and plays over the next few decades, though never with the same level of success.

Reviews

[Jim Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jerome K. Jerome was one of the funniest writers of the 19th century. The fact that one can read his humorous essays today and still chuckle is proof of that. Unfortunately, he also wanted to be taken seriously as a short story writer and novelist. This collection of essays and short stories works wonderfully when he writes about himself--growing up in a poor family, trying to find work as an actor, and his experiences in WWI. Almost none of the short stories (mostly detective tales or tales of the supernatural) work. They can be skipped to enjoy what Jerome does best, make the reader laugh.

[Marian Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

THREE MEN IN A BOAT is probably my #1 favorite book, so I was delighted to receive this book from my husband. Nothing is as good as THREE MEN, but this collection of short pieces and excerpts is a wonderful exploration of Jerome's range.