What is the funniest / saddest book you have ever read?

[Shnozz]

Saddest (by way of it's conclusion) was "When Penguins Stopped Play". Charming book with a sad end.

[Aerate]

If we're going for funny AND sad, World According to Garp (mentioned above) is probably up there. As is most of John Irving. Prayer for Owen Meany springs to mind.

[Stuart70]

At a point in time for me; Hitchhikers' series.

Would recommend Hugh Lawrie's "the gun seller" for laughs.
Is there anything that man doesn't do incredibly well?

Sad - echo above; "the road" was not a barrel of giggles at any point

[Stuart70]

Aerate said:

If we're going for funny AND sad, World According to Garp (mentioned above) is probably up there. As is most of John Irving. Prayer for Owen Meany springs to mind.

Truly great books. The driveway scene had me laughing and wincing at the same time....if you have read it you will remember it!

[Abagnale]

The throwback. Although I would have been 14 or 15 when I read it. Tom Sharpe went seriously off the boil as the years caught up with him, but Lockprick, sorry, Lockhart was a great comic creation.

[g3org3y]

If you like crude and outrageous, I'd recommend Tucker Max's 'I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell'. I found it hilarious.

[irocfan]

g3org3y said:

If you like crude and outrageous, I'd recommend Tucker Max's 'I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell'. I found it hilarious.

the guy comes across as a complete dick - but it is hilarious!

[OllieC]

Roddy Doyle - Paddy Clarke Ha ha ha

definitely the funniest thing I have read (I don't normally read much in the way of fiction at all)

its also quite sad, but not in comparison to what will be brought up in that respect I'm sure.

[Du1point8]

irocfan said:

g3org3y said:

If you like crude and outrageous, I'd recommend Tucker Max's 'I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell'. I found it hilarious.

the guy comes across as a complete dick - but it is hilarious!

if you have a kindle it is free

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tucker-Max/e/B001JSAOIA/re...

[RDMcG]

Funniest: Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis

Saddest (but inspiring) The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

[Crook]

I would agree wholeheartedly with the Tom Sharpe books for funny and would also add The Hitchiker series. Though they are more funny smart than outright stupid funny.

Sad, I would echo 'the diving bell and the butterfly' an amazing and desperately sad story.
Also, Black Rain by Kuroi Ame which is about the Hiroshima atrocity.

[FlossyThePig]

I found the end of "The Troubled Man" by Henning Mankell very sad. Maybe because the main character is about the same age as me.

[chili1]

Saddest = The Girl next Door by Jack Ketchum.

Horrific and very upsetting.

[Misaps]

Shnozz said:

Saddest (by way of it's conclusion) was "When Penguins Stopped Play". Charming book with a sad end.

+1 really sad end to a nice read.

Funniest is "around Ireland with a Fridge" by Tony Hawks

[silverthorn2151]

Funniest could well be one of the Tom Sharpes mentioned above or my comfort book 'three men in a boat'. Finally though I prop 'Adolfo Hitler, my part in his downfall'

Saddest........Watership Down.

[Shnozz]

Misaps said:

Shnozz said:

Saddest (by way of it's conclusion) was "When Penguins Stopped Play". Charming book with a sad end.

+1 really sad end to a nice read.

Funniest is "around Ireland with a Fridge" by Tony Hawks

Odd as I agree entirely. I couldn't think of a funny book off hand but now you mention around Ireland with a fridge I would concur. We should do dinner me and thee

[silverthorn2151]

His others are very funny too

[Brother D]

The art of racing in the rain. Amusing and sad. The other moving one was forgotten voices which was basically sad from start to finish...

[knotweed]

Brother D said:

The art of racing in the rain.

I read this again recently and have to agree. Even though you know what's coming it still hits you.

[ReaderScars]

Funniest for me was the autobiography 'With Nails' by Richard E. Grant, true laugh out loud-ism.