Three Men in a Boat - A short review.

British humor is often hard to grasp for Indians, with their references and rambling. But Jerome K. Jerome hits the nail on the head with ‘Three Men In A Boat‘ and brings out British absurdities and traditions in a comic way. 

Three Men in a Boat(To say nothing of the Dog) embarks on a journey of three friends Jerome( referred to as J in the novel), Harris and George on the river Thames as a retreat to their monotonous routine and hypochondriac nature.

The novel starts with a scene where the three friends are discussing their anxiety over their sicknesses. The three of them consider themselves to be hypochondriacs. The men decide that a vacation will be a good retreat for their health, and after some deliberating, they decide to spend a week rowing up the Thames with their dog, Montmorency. Although the novel also has portions where various cities residing on the river Thames have been described and thus also acts as a travelogue. But this, though intended to be the main part of the book was overshadowed by the comic instances that cropped up and the book gave up and now is just a humorous tale. Jerome often digresses and starts off random anecdotes and ponders upon life. The narrator (also possibly the author) gives brilliant character sketches of himself, Harris and George.

The fondness we feel for the three friends is the same deep fondness Harris, George and J (not forgetting Montmorency, the wise old fox-terrier) feel for each other by the time they reach Oxford, in spite of the many arguments along the way. The downside of the book is that the return journey back up the Thames is wrapped up in just one chapter which leaves one slightly hurt and bewildered at the sudden ending. But the wry and sarcastic humour and wit with the misadventures, exaggerations, mad caps, twists and sheer silliness in this book leaves you pleasantly happy at the end. Of course, one can’t help but read this book in a proper British accent. Be it in their heads, or out loud. And that would be perfectly fine.

Ultimately, Three Men in a Boat is a study of friendship, human foibles and forgiveness.