A Pocket Book of Humour (Book Review)

Rajendra Pillai, A Pocket Book of Humour, Better Yourself Books, 2007, ISBN 81-7108-353-6, Rs. 45, pp. 215

I have read Pillai’s previous two books and I liked the way he presented his matter. The same goes for this book too. In his opening address, he expresses his motivation for writing this book, “our sense of humour... make(s) things that much easier for ourselves and for those around us.” His Christian roots too make an appearance as he quotes from the Book of Proverbs. Life without humour would be dull and dry. Humour is the spice of life and when we live with a healthy sense of humour we make life interesting and worthwhile for ourselves and for others.

The layout of the book is simple and ordered day-wise such that there is one joke and one witty remark for each day of the year. I felt that the general humour of the book was pretty sour and insipid but the witty remarks were worthwhile reading. The jokes lacked punch but the wisdom statements shared were the real one’s who ‘sent the blues away’. The book is not really about the humour at all as much as it is about wisdom. Don’t get carried away with the title. This book isn’t what the cover makes it out to be at all. If I had to rename it I would call it ‘The Pocket Book of Wisdom and Smiles’.

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