News

A few weeks ago, I attended a taping of BBC Radio 4’s program Open Book. The topic was a debate to choose Britain’s funniest book, and the five books under discussion were: • 1066 And All That, by W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman (championed by John Sessions) • The Virgin Soldiers, by Leslie Thomas (championed by Tony Parsons) • The Loved One, by Evelyn Waugh (championed by A.L. Kennedy) • The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, aged thirteen and three quarters, by Sue Townsend (championed by Jo Brand) • Swing Hammer Swing, by Jeff Torrington (championed by Christopher Brookmyre) The winner was chosen by the studio audience -- we voted through several elimination rounds -- which made for an interesting experience for me, since I haven’t read any of the books. (Though now I plan to read all of them.) I cast my votes based entirely upon the presentations by the writers, comedians,...