9 Wonderfully Witty, Fast-Paced Funny Fiction Novels
Posted on November 26, 2018
by April S
Welcome to our funny fiction series. We’re highlighting elements of humorous fiction to help our readers find that next great read (and hopefully a few laughs along the way).
From mysteries to satire to sci-fi — we have you covered.
The novels featured below are wonderfully witty, fast-paced and 100% funny.
Fast and Furiously Funny Fiction
1. The Woman Who Died a Lot: A Thursday Next Novel by Jasper FfordeForced into semi-retirement after an assassination attempt, Thursday Next finds her recuperation challenged by the personal and professional struggles of her children and Goliath’s constant attempts to replace her with synthetic duplicates. Appeal: Fantasy, mystery, likable characters, intricately plotted, funny, unconventional, stylistically complex and witty |
2. Company by Max BarryOn his first day of training, Stephen Jones, a young recruit, reports to the Zephyr Holding Building, where he finds a company defined by its lack of clarity, a building numbered in reverse, an invisible CEO, and a crisis over the theft of a donut, in a zany satire of corporate life. Appeal: Satirical fiction, plot-driven, funny, engaging, offbeat, richly detailed and witty |
3. The Rosie Project by Graeme SimsionA socially awkward genetics professor who has never been on a second date sets out to find the perfect wife, but instead finds Rosie Jarman, a fiercely independent barmaid who is on a quest to find her biological father. Appeal: Romantic comedy, quirky characters, funny, heartwarming and engaging |
4. Big Trouble by Dave BarryA Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist offers a fiction debut that describes the lives of the troubled denizens of Coconut Grove, including a career-threatened adman, an alcoholic embezzler dodging a couple of hit men, and their dysfunctional families. Appeal: Caper novels, character-driven, funny, offbeat and witty |
5. Joe College by Tom PerrottaDanny, a Yale student on Spring Break, who is spending his vacation working in his father’s lunch wagon, the Roach Coach, tries to cope with an increasingly complicated love life and an incipient battle with a gang over his father’s business. Appeal: Caper novels, character-driven, funny, offbeat and witty |
6. The Iron Jackal by Chris WoodingA big slice of non-stop, action-packed, wise-cracking fun from the Ketty Jay, and Captain Darien Frey. Things are finally looking good for Captain Frey and his crew. They’ve got their first taste of fortune and fame. And, just for once, nobody is trying to kill them. This book is part of the Tales of Ketty Jay series (book 3). Appeal: Fantasy, steampunk, action-packed, dramatic, funny, suspenseful, engaging, well-crafted dialogue and witty |
7. Will Power by A.J. HartleyTransported to a mysterious land, Will Hawthorne and his band of thieves find themselves in the middle of a battle between goblins and stately humans whose sense of social propriety renders them appalled by Will’s rough manners. This book is part of the Will Hawthorne adventures series (book 2). Appeal: Historical fantasy, snarky characters, character-driven, atmospheric, funny, reflective, engaging, lyrical and witty |
8. Murder and Mendelssohn: a Phryne Fisher Mystery by Kerry GreenwoodAssisting Detective Inspector Jack Robinson in the investigation of an unpopular orchestral conductor’s murder, Miss Fisher becomes suspicious of a charismatic code-breaker who has captured John Wilson’s affections. Appeal: Historical mystery, likable characters, funny, strong sense of place, engaging and witty |
9. The Goddess of Buttercups and Daisies by Martin MillarAristophanes is inconsolable – his rival playwrights are hogging all the local attention, a pesky young wannabe poet won’t leave him alone, his actors can’t remember their lines, and his own festival sponsor seems to be conspiring against him. … Dashing between fantastical scenes of moody and meddlesome gods, ever-applicable political debates in the senate, backstage scrambling for the play, and glimpses of life in Ancient Greece, Martin Millar delivers another witty and comical romp for readers of all ages. Appeal: Mythological fiction, quirky characters, funny, offbeat, upbeat, engaging and witty |
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