Humourous/Comedic Books, pre-1950..?

[VanDutch]

Hi, first post, hope to make more within time.

I'm currently studying English Language at college, at A Level, and we are required to do some coursework comparing two books separated by AT LEAST 50 years.

Now, the problem. I have two books that i'd love to use. "The world according to Clarkson", and "It is me or is everything else sh!t". Both of which are observational, comedic and humourous, with irony in abundance. I NEED a book written before 1956 that, if possible, is a view of (for the time) contemporary life, be it positive or negative.

Many, many thanks in advance!

 

[VanDutch]

Please, if anyone knows of any texts that may be of use, i'd hugely apprieciate it!

 

[KristoCat]

The only thing I can think of is Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.

 

[Mari]

Any collection of essays by Mark Twain.

 

[Sitaram]

One of the first adult books I ever read was "Larks in the Popcorn" by H. Allen Smith, a humorist. I have my original copy. Let me know if you need more info regarding it.

Also, "Where did you go, OUT, what did you do NOTHING." (that is the book title)

Also, "Please don't eat the daiseys"

 

[Shade]

Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary?

If you chose a contemporary book which was more, well, more like a 'proper book', then you would have a better choice of earlier stuff, eg John O'Farrell v Kingsley Amis, Helen Fielding v Nancy Mitford, Edward St Aubyn v Evelyn Waugh...

 

[Stewart]

If you chose a contemporary book which was more, well, more like a 'proper book', then you would have a better choice of earlier stuff,

I agree here. If this is for an A Level then go with fiction and not some novelty book that hit the shelves just in time for Christmas so that someone could buy it for their smelly uncle who they never really know what to buy.

 

[VanDutch]

Ambrose Bierce's The Devil's Dictionary?

That... is EXACTLY what I awas looking for. Many thanks, Shade. I also take into account what you say, as it is a valid point, but I don't feel that I'll be limited in terms of the content i'm providing myself with.

I highly apprieciate everyone's input, thankyou all very much!

 

[VanDutch]

Just to let you all know, I got 43/50 for the coursework.