Three Men in a Boat #8

...by Jerome K Jerome...

It's a unique piece of literature, that was then emulated endlessly by other writers on other journeys. But the original is a classic. Narrated in the first person by 'J', it is on the one hand a genuine account of travel up the Thames in a bygone era, replete with historical and dramatic vignettes (wherein TV series like Griff Rhys Jones recent one on rivers, derive their origin); and also an utterly absurd comedy - Victorian manners, hypochondria, boating, pets...everything has that delightful, English silliness. There are daft events, but often the humour is wrapped up in J's monologues and digressions on dozens of subjects - sometimes silly in themselves, sometimes he is deadly ernest and only we know it's funny.

I think it's a lovely book, and would happily take it to a desert island: England described from a boat, and England unfolded from the observations of life, and England seen in the gentle comedy of life.