If you enjoy reading novels by Tom Sharpe then you might also like the following authors:
If you like Tom Sharpe’s witty and satirical approach, Evelyn Waugh is another author worth your attention. Waugh wrote sharp, funny novels about British society, often poking fun at upper-class people who take themselves too seriously. His book “Scoop” is a good example.
It follows William Boot, a shy and inexperienced journalist, who finds himself mistakenly sent abroad as a war correspondent. Boot ends up tangled in absurd situations, misunderstandings and ridiculous adventures due to his editors’ whims and ambitions.
The humor is sharp, the satire clear and direct. Anyone who enjoys Sharpe’s lively narratives and comic situations will likely find this book entertaining.
If you enjoy Tom Sharpe’s style of comedy and satire, you might also have fun reading P.G. Wodehouse. Wodehouse wrote many humorous novels set among silly characters in upper-class England.
His novel “Right Ho, Jeeves” is about Bertie Wooster, a well-meaning young gentleman who constantly finds himself in trouble. His trusted valet Jeeves always comes to Bertie’s rescue.
In this book, Bertie thinks he can solve everyone’s romantic troubles during his visit to Brinkley Court. But each plan Bertie makes leads to more confusion and plenty of funny misunderstandings.
Jeeves stays quietly in the background until it’s clear only he can set everything straight. The entertaining relationship between Bertie and Jeeves makes this book enjoyable.
Terry Pratchett was an English author known for humorous fantasy novels with sharp observations about human nature. His book “Guards! Guards!” is a good example of how funny fantasy writing can get.
It follows Captain Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, who must reluctantly investigate mysterious events around the sudden appearance of a dragon in the city.
The book is filled with comical characters and situations, and it makes fun of fantasy clichés through clever storytelling. Readers who enjoyed Tom Sharpe’s satirical and humorous style should find Terry Pratchett’s writing very entertaining.
Douglas Adams is an author known for witty fiction filled with sharp humor and absurd situations. His popular book “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” starts when Arthur Dent faces the destruction of his home because someone wants to build a road exactly where it stands.
Ironically, Earth itself faces a similar fate at the same time, as aliens plan to demolish it to make way for an intergalactic bypass.
Arthur joins Ford Prefect, an alien disguised as a human, and together they navigate the universe through bizarre adventures and hilarious misunderstandings. Readers who enjoy Tom Sharpe’s satirical style might appreciate the comic tone and clever twists of Douglas Adams’ work.
Kingsley Amis was a British novelist known for his sharp wit and satirical humor. Readers who enjoy Tom Sharpe’s brand of humorous fiction often find Amis entertaining as well. One of his best-known novels is called “Lucky Jim.”
It tells the story of Jim Dixon, a young lecturer at an English university, who constantly finds himself in uncomfortable situations. Dixon struggles at awkward social events and deals with eccentric characters around him.
His attempts to navigate academic life lead to many funny mishaps and misunderstandings, making it an enjoyable comedy of errors.
Joseph Heller is a writer known for his sharp wit and humor. His novel “Catch-22” is about soldiers during World War II who find themselves in absurd and impossible situations created by army rules.
The main character, Yossarian, tries to avoid combat but encounters strange military logic at every turn. The story pokes fun at bureaucracy and shows how ridiculous war can become. If you enjoy the dark humor of Tom Sharpe’s novels, Heller’s book may have similar appeal.
Spike Milligan was a writer and comedian known for his sharp humor and absurd situations. In his book “Puckoon,” Milligan tells the story of a small Irish town divided by an arbitrary border, created during careless mapping by government officials.
The characters are eccentric and the situations become increasingly chaotic, as the townspeople navigate the absurdity of everyday life under nonsensical circumstances.
Readers who enjoy Tom Sharpe will appreciate Milligan’s playful approach to satire and his comedic portrayal of bureaucracy and human folly.
Jerome K. Jerome was an English writer known for his funny, satirical and easy-going style.
One of his best-known books, “Three Men in a Boat,” follows the misadventures of three friends who accidentally find trouble everywhere as they take a leisurely rowboat trip along the Thames.
Along the way, the friends get into amusing mishaps with camping gear, food preparation and navigating the river. Jerome mocks ordinary daily life in a gentle but sharp manner, and his realistic, funny dialogues between the friends add genuine charm.
His humor is clear, straightforward and never forced, making him highly enjoyable for readers who appreciate writers like Tom Sharpe.
Carl Hiaasen writes stories filled with humor and absurd plots about crime and unusual characters in Florida. His novel “Skinny Dip” follows Joey Perrone after her husband throws her from a cruise ship into the ocean.
But Joey survives and decides to come back secretly to trick her husband and figure out the real reasons behind his actions. Hiaasen includes plenty of comedic and surprising situations as Joey embarks on her revenge.
Readers who appreciate Tom Sharpe’s funny and strange characters could find the stories by Carl Hiaasen equally entertaining.
Robert Rankin writes comic novels full of quirky characters and silly plots. His style might appeal to people who enjoy Tom Sharpe’s satirical sense of humor. A good novel to start with is “The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse.”
In this story, Jack moves to the city to find his fortune and soon discovers nursery rhyme characters who act strangely and cause trouble in unexpected ways. Rankin mixes humor, mystery and fantasy in a way that entertains readers who like lively, funny fiction.
Christopher Buckley writes funny novels filled with sharp humor and absurd situations. In his book “Thank You for Smoking,” Buckley tells the story of Nick Naylor, a spokesman who promotes tobacco despite knowing it’s harmful.
Naylor has a gift for clever arguments, sarcastic remarks and handling tricky situations. The story follows him at work and in tricky public debates.
Readers who enjoy Tom Sharpe’s funny, satirical style will appreciate the way Buckley blends humor with criticism of big business and politics.
Michael Frayn is an English novelist known for his funny and clever stories. Readers who enjoy Tom Sharpe’s style might also like Frayn’s novel “Skios”. In “Skios”, Frayn tells a story about mistaken identity at an international conference on a Greek island.
Oliver Fox arrives casually at the venue, but everyone there believes he is someone else—a famous guest speaker named Dr. Norman Wilfred. As the confusion grows, misunderstandings lead to comic situations and amusing encounters.
Frayn’s easygoing humor and clever plot twists make the book an enjoyable read for those who like humorous novels.
John Kennedy Toole was an American writer known for his humor and ability to highlight quirky characters. His novel “A Confederacy of Dunces” centers around Ignatius J. Reilly, a strange, lazy and often ridiculous character.
Ignatius lives in New Orleans, where he stumbles from one odd situation to another. His misunderstandings with people around him lead to absurd episodes and comic events.
The style of Toole’s storytelling shares similarities with Tom Sharpe, especially in the sharp dialogue and ironic humor. If you’ve enjoyed Sharpe’s novels about peculiar characters getting into funny trouble, Toole’s book might grab your attention too.
Ben Elton writes humorous novels with sharp satire and lots of absurd events. Readers who enjoyed Tom Sharpe might appreciate Elton’s comedy, as he targets silly behavior and everyday nonsense.
In his novel “Dead Famous,” Elton explores the obsession with reality TV through a murder mystery. The story follows a group of contestants trapped in a reality show house when a crime takes place. Elton builds comedy through absurd personalities and clever situations.
Anyone drawn to Tom Sharpe’s style of humor may find Ben Elton entertaining.
David Lodge is a British author known for satirical novels about academic life. Readers who enjoy Tom Sharpe’s humorous approach might appreciate Lodge’s book “Nice Work”.
The story introduces Robyn Penrose, a lecturer in English literature who prides herself on progressive ideals. She takes part in a program that connects universities with businesses. Robyn soon meets Vic Wilcox, a straightforward manager at a factory making industrial parts.
Their worlds clash humorously as they try to manage their very different views on life, work and society. The novel humorously examines cultural differences and misunderstandings.