Can someone recommend a book that is mostly humorous and can still be used to promote good classroom discussions and critical thinking? My students have complained that everything we read is depressing, and I have to say that I agree with them. I’d like to lighten the mood with our classroom reads, but honestly, every classic or commonly taught book that has been recognized as significant seems to be a tragedy. I’d appreciate any suggestions so that I can help my kids laugh while doing some deep thinking. Thanks!
by uniqueusername2388
10 Comments
Macunaima: The Hero Without Any Character by Mario de Andrade, a Brazilian modernist classic that features a half-god/half-boy who wanders the Amazon playing tricks on people.
*Catch-22* seems like it could work. *A Confederacy of Dunces* also has ” literary value.”
If you don’t mind a play, you might like The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
I’d say PG Wodehouse. They are hysterically funny with a wonderful batch of oddballs and some outrageously horrible characters that can lead to great conversations about social class. I wish I’d read Wooster and Jeeves back in school!
Off the top of my head, Don Quixote is a classic comedy. Canterbury Tales features quite a few comedic stories that read like Monty Python sketches. Emma is a lighter read of Austen’s, and you could maybe show Clueless if that’s an option, or at least have them watch it at home.
And then I’m not sure how much room you have for this sort of thing, but Pratchett’s Discworld novels usually have some literary level thematic elements.
Anything by Vonnegut for sure though sometimes they’re both funny and depressing, so dunno if that counts lol.
Less conventionally thought of as “literary” (though I’d argue he is once you get over the rough early books) is Terry Pratchett, might still work for a break from the classics, though.
Shakespeare has tons of comedies, Midsummer Night’s Dream seems very popular with younger people in general.
If you wanna get obscure (for English lit) you could try The Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea.
What age group are you teaching?
*Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy* – Douglas
PG Woodehouse – Tried in the Furnace or Uncle Fred Flits by, from Young Men in Spats short story collection.
Elizabeth Gaskell – Cranford
Murial Spark – The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
John Steinbeck – Cannery Row
Roddy Doyle – The Snapper, The Commitments (I know he won the Booker for Paddy Clarke but I don’t think it’s his best book)
Jane Austen! Pride and Prejudice is funny and witty and sharp and clever. I remember reading it in high school and my whole class loving it.