Not So Funny When It Happened the Best of Travel Humor and Misadventure

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· 591 ratings · 69 reviews

Start your review of Not So Funny When It Happened: The Best of Travel Humor and Misadventure

Nov 12, 2011 Melissa rated it it was ok

Yikes, just when I had read one in this series that rated average, it slipped back down to below average again. And to add insult to injury, this book shared some stories with some of their other books that I've read (Whose Panties are These, Sand in my Bra, and more). I mean, if you don't have time enough to at least have unique stories in each of your books, perhaps you shouldn't be publishing them. But alas, they're probably just trying to make money and needed the filler.

This book is a part

This book is a part of a series on humourous travel short stories. And the stories are all short, but I wouldn't call them all humourous. In fact, this book didn't have very many that I considered giggle worthy. One story was lamenting a large rump while on the beach, another is about having breakfast with a baboon. Still other stories involve airport travel and travel by train with a frog. They were all set in different places, some in the United States, others in various parts of the world. But honestly, for a good portion it didn't even matter where they were as it had no bearing on the story.

I just can't figure out why the editor of this book thought some of these stories were funny. Sure a good portion are from well known humor or travel writers. But to be honest I hadn't heard of most of them and there was probably a reason for that. They didn't even make me crack a smile at times. Sure there were a few gems but there weren't very many. Some of the stories could be considered uncouth but there wasn't really anything too objectionable.

Not a good book in a not so good series. I can't wait until I'm finally through the last of this series and can move on to better things.

Not So Funny When It Happened
Copyright 2000
200 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2011

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I love the David Sedaris piece in this book...all are good, though. Not travel writing, but more about being a stranger in a strange land

Not so funny when I read it either.

I may have enjoyed the book more if it had been by one author instead of disjointed stories by many authors. But there was no one character to empathize with or story line to follow so I just stopped reading it after a few chapters.

This is getting three stars only because of a few laugh out loud stories. Most of them were barely funny or downright stupid (Sedaris). One was horribly long-winded (White).
Some were really laugh out loud funny though - the ending of Lansky's was hilarious when he was talking about the ears and the beginning wasn't too shabby either. Hester and Sterling both had good ones. Lara's and Lamott's were okay like most of the others.
I will say, like another GR member mentioned, that it please me to s This is getting three stars only because of a few laugh out loud stories. Most of them were barely funny or downright stupid (Sedaris). One was horribly long-winded (White).
Some were really laugh out loud funny though - the ending of Lansky's was hilarious when he was talking about the ears and the beginning wasn't too shabby either. Hester and Sterling both had good ones. Lara's and Lamott's were okay like most of the others.
I will say, like another GR member mentioned, that it please me to see that Sedaris wasn't mentioned on the cover. I wouldn't have read this had it been. And reading his story included here strenghened my resolve to get rid of any Sedaris books I may have laying around. (At one time, after trying and not succeeding, to read one of his I kept some others thinking one day I'd give them a shot.... I won't.)
I would like to ask if anyone else has ever heard of ferret-legging? Am I the only one to have never heard of this sport? I'm still trying to decide if it's real or not. (Heading to Google next.) I'd like to meet Reg Mellor. Um, I wouldn't like to "meet" him quite as much as Katz did but I'd love to talk with him for a few minutes - he seems cool as hell. Any man that can put ferrets in his pants and take that beating standing there with a smile is worth a few minutes of your time. There are things just too precious to mess with down there if you ask me - I'd definitely have a few questions for him..... ...more

Now, I love Tim Cahill. I will tell anyone to go out and read his travel collections, Pecked to Death by Ducks, Jaguars Ripped My Flesh, A Wolverine is Eating My Leg, Pass the Butterworms, and Hold the Enlightenment. I think he is absolutely hilarious. But some of these stories went flying right over my head. Some of them were wonderful (my favorite is and always will be "The Aunties" by Anne Lamott, where she courageously discusses butt mind, the tragic condition in which you compulsively Now, I love Tim Cahill. I will tell anyone to go out and read his travel collections, Pecked to Death by Ducks, Jaguars Ripped My Flesh, A Wolverine is Eating My Leg, Pass the Butterworms, and Hold the Enlightenment. I think he is absolutely hilarious. But some of these stories went flying right over my head. Some of them were wonderful (my favorite is and always will be "The Aunties" by Anne Lamott, where she courageously discusses butt mind, the tragic condition in which you compulsively compare your butt to everyone else's). Many of them were amusing. And some of them were just plain ol' puzzlers. But, overall, this was a fun read, and worth the price of the book if only for Lamott's piece, and the satisfaction of seeing that, though David Sedaris has a piece included, his name is not on the cover, while Dave Barry's and Douglas Adams's are. ...more

Dec 02, 2013 Michael rated it it was ok

The stories selected in the first part of the book left me wondering if I should continue reading though to the end. To me, the stories the editor selected for this first part had no real merit or value. However those of the last two-thirds of the book were much more interesting at at times quite humourous and/or entertaining.

This book started well. But 10 stories in it lost it's humour. If this is "the best of travel humour" I would hate to read the worst. This book started well. But 10 stories in it lost it's humour. If this is "the best of travel humour" I would hate to read the worst. ...more

This was my bedside book, and it was a good book to pick up and read a single story before going to sleep. The tales were decently amusing, and they were certainly nothing to keep me awake at night with either stress or "can't put it down." I suppose the biggest flaw of these stories is that they are a few decades old, most of them, and dated, with some of the humor not holding up. A solid 3 stars. This was my bedside book, and it was a good book to pick up and read a single story before going to sleep. The tales were decently amusing, and they were certainly nothing to keep me awake at night with either stress or "can't put it down." I suppose the biggest flaw of these stories is that they are a few decades old, most of them, and dated, with some of the humor not holding up. A solid 3 stars. ...more

Some seriously funny stories in here about what can go wrong when you're out and about. All the things you think/hope won't happen to you, they do happen to someone. This made me smile a few times, it helped that I already knew and liked some of the authors in the collection, I figured even if I didn't like ever story there would be at least 5-10 that were pretty good, and for a couple of bucks at a second hand sale, it's a pretty good deal. Some seriously funny stories in here about what can go wrong when you're out and about. All the things you think/hope won't happen to you, they do happen to someone. This made me smile a few times, it helped that I already knew and liked some of the authors in the collection, I figured even if I didn't like ever story there would be at least 5-10 that were pretty good, and for a couple of bucks at a second hand sale, it's a pretty good deal. ...more

This collection of stories from various travel writers of their experiences around the world was a wonderful way to calm down. Every night I would read at least one story and end my day with a laugh. This is very important in this year of 2020. I know I will share this book and hope it comes back because I can see myself reading this again in a year or two. I hope I can locate other books in this same venue.

Jan 24, 2012 Kate rated it really liked it

"Many of the best stories come from misadventures -- the pratfalls, faux pas, and vast embarrassments that accompany life on the road. These tales share those moments when the best of plans go haywire, but are leavened by the saving grace of a sense of humor."
~~back cover

These stories and cartoons range from mildly amusing to ROFLMAO hilarious. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

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Nov 11, 2017 Mary Monks rated it did not like it

The title of this book teases one into thinking you will be rolling on the floor laughing at the anecdotal tales within ..... well, it didn't happen for me.
I gave up at page 57 (of 200) as nothing was making me want to laugh out loud (nor quietly for that matter)!!!!
Don't bother! The title of this book teases one into thinking you will be rolling on the floor laughing at the anecdotal tales within ..... well, it didn't happen for me.
I gave up at page 57 (of 200) as nothing was making me want to laugh out loud (nor quietly for that matter)!!!!
Don't bother! ...more

Dec 25, 2017 Hunter rated it it was ok

A few of the stories piqued my interest but it was mostly tedious commitment to finish a frustrating book. The first two were quite funny and the second to last by Michael Lane and Jim Crotty was very interesting on a 'human experience' level. Next!! A few of the stories piqued my interest but it was mostly tedious commitment to finish a frustrating book. The first two were quite funny and the second to last by Michael Lane and Jim Crotty was very interesting on a 'human experience' level. Next!! ...more

Jan 01, 2018 Sarah rated it it was ok

Two or three of the stories were laugh out loud. The rest were not.

Dec 17, 2018 Aaron rated it really liked it

Collection of unrelated short stories about travel.

Or in the retelling as it turns out. At least I found out which authors NOT to read. Bathroom reader only. . . .

I'm giving this book a 3 simply because some of the stories were fantastic and others were utter drivel. All in all, a nice collection, a few laughs and a reinstated wanderlust urge. I'm giving this book a 3 simply because some of the stories were fantastic and others were utter drivel. All in all, a nice collection, a few laughs and a reinstated wanderlust urge. ...more

Amusing enough, and as a fellow traveller you definitely sympathise with the different situations and scenarios. Perhaps not a laugh out loud book so much as one you can empathise with and smile at.

Nov 05, 2015 Meg rated it did not like it

I used to love reading travel memoirs...I'd read them and launch into daydreams of finally traveling the globe. Once I became an adult and started to travel I stopped reading them....because I found myself either jealous of the author....or criticizing and nitpicking everything written. This past month when I was looking for books at The Book Thing I grabbed this book because I have enjoyed Cahill in the past....I didn't even notice it was a collection of short stories...until I curled up to rea I used to love reading travel memoirs...I'd read them and launch into daydreams of finally traveling the globe. Once I became an adult and started to travel I stopped reading them....because I found myself either jealous of the author....or criticizing and nitpicking everything written. This past month when I was looking for books at The Book Thing I grabbed this book because I have enjoyed Cahill in the past....I didn't even notice it was a collection of short stories...until I curled up to read the book.
This books is...a big disappointment. The excerpts are often not short stories and seem like random anecdotes that could have been better chosen. The stories are pretty stupid/uninteresting...I only kept reading because I thought with so many great writers some of the stories had to be worth reading...but each short blurb was a disappointment.

Read....don't. There are so many better travel memoirs and collections of short stories about travel...don't waste your time on this one.

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This is far from the best collection of humorous travel essays out there. I'm not sure if the field was just picked over already when Cahill got there, or if his sense of humor doesn't jibe with mine at all, but, well - it's not so funny now, either.

If you like travel humor at all, you'll have read all the good essays in here before.

Maybe worth checking out of the library. Certainly not worth buying.

If you like travel humor at all, you'll have read all the good essays in here before.

Maybe worth checking out of the library. Certainly not worth buying.

...more

Jun 25, 2007 Vrinda rated it liked it

Recommends it for: travelers, people who like humor

This book is a fun, light read. It's a collection of short works of funny travel writing, compiled from different authors from around the world--including Bill Bryson, Anne Lammot, and Dave Barry. It's full of quirky anecdotes---from bad haircuts, to robberies, to waking to discover a baboon in the bedroom. Perfect for a plane ride or whenever you need a good laugh. This book is a fun, light read. It's a collection of short works of funny travel writing, compiled from different authors from around the world--including Bill Bryson, Anne Lammot, and Dave Barry. It's full of quirky anecdotes---from bad haircuts, to robberies, to waking to discover a baboon in the bedroom. Perfect for a plane ride or whenever you need a good laugh. ...more

Aug 20, 2007 Anita is currently reading it

Recommends it for: travelers

This book is a mix between Bill Bryson and David Sedaris. Actually, its a compilation that includes them both. It is travel writing that speaks to those unexpected moments of embarrassment, accident, mistaken identity, and other funny moments. Learn about new places and how you too can laugh at yourself while traveling. Enjoy!

Sep 17, 2011 Kate rated it really liked it

The title is light and funny...as are the contents of this book. In this case, you can judge the book by its cover. Don't expect anything deep or profound. These pieces tickled me; some made me laugh out loud. They are all short. Each piece can be read in a quick sitting, gobbled up like a piece of chocolate from a box. The title is light and funny...as are the contents of this book. In this case, you can judge the book by its cover. Don't expect anything deep or profound. These pieces tickled me; some made me laugh out loud. They are all short. Each piece can be read in a quick sitting, gobbled up like a piece of chocolate from a box. ...more

Some of the stories included are hilarious, (most notably those by Bill Bryson and Dave Barry) but I couldn't quite figure out why others made it in there... I will say that it was an entertaining read as I sat in the airport, and introduced me to some new talented travel authors of whom I had not been previously aware. Some of the stories included are hilarious, (most notably those by Bill Bryson and Dave Barry) but I couldn't quite figure out why others made it in there... I will say that it was an entertaining read as I sat in the airport, and introduced me to some new talented travel authors of whom I had not been previously aware. ...more

I love travel writing, but this book offers mostly unamusing and uninteresting stories. There were a couple of stories that raised a smile, but the majority were just tedious. The editor contributes an over-long and over-wrought account of time spent in a religious retreat in California - no travel involved at all. All in all, a disappointment.

Apr 02, 2008 Mycala rated it liked it

Not so funny when it happened, and not so funny now. Most of these short essays did not impress me. But there were one or two that had me laughing uncontrollably, so this book was not a complete waste of time.

Apr 08, 2008 John rated it it was ok

I'm not fond of travel anthologies, but decided to try this one. A couple were pretty funny, a few I skipped over, and the rest were okay-but-not-great. Pretty good line-up of writers for those who like the shorter format (average entry under 5 pages). I'm not fond of travel anthologies, but decided to try this one. A couple were pretty funny, a few I skipped over, and the rest were okay-but-not-great. Pretty good line-up of writers for those who like the shorter format (average entry under 5 pages). ...more

Tim Cahill (born 1944 in Nashville, Tennessee) is a travel writer who lives in Livingston, Montana, United States. He is a founding editor of Outside magazine and currently serves as an "Editor at Large" for the magazine. Tim Cahill (born 1944 in Nashville, Tennessee) is a travel writer who lives in Livingston, Montana, United States. He is a founding editor of Outside magazine and currently serves as an "Editor at Large" for the magazine. ...more