George Grossmith (1) (1847–1912)

Diary of a Nobody was originally written in the late 1800s as a serialisation in Punch magazine, before becoming a book. It's a comedy with a city clerk who clearly has some delusions of grandeur as the narrator, and desbribes the minutiae of his every day life. It is made funnier by the various social faux pas that he inadvertently commits and his frustrations over his son's lack of ambition. The descriptions of social gatherings are amusing if unavoidably and understandably outdated.

It's an easy quick read, and one I would probably pick up again in the future. It's not the funniest book I've ever read and rarely hilarious but often amusing.… (more)

An amusing read - possibly funnier at the time it was published - this is the diary of Charles Pooter telling stories of himself, his friends and family.

He's a middle class banker with little ambition, who is constantly being insulted and taken advantage of by the servants and tradesmen, and does not understand his son. He attempts to show his sense of humour frequently fail as many people dont find the same things funny.

Short little read, amusing enough, not entirely sure I understood the ending (but then it was early in the morning).

… (more)