Recommendations for funny literature?

[Tyrion Cheddar]

After reading a lot of heavy philosophical literature, I feel a need to lighten up with something funny. To give you some idea of my sense of humor, I could merrily read P.G. Wodehouse till the cows come home. And have. I like my wit positively arid. Of course, I used to laugh out loud reading P.J. O'Rourke (though I don't want anything political now, just saying I loved his stuff), and the occasional comedian book like Sarah Silverman's The Bedwetter gave me a similar happy. I was just reading about Evelyn Waugh, who I do want to read at some point, and know I'd enjoy the dry humor, but I think I'd like something more modern just now. NB: I am leery of a lot of today's supposedly hysterical comedians, despite the Sarah Silverman reference--she's genuinely funny, in my opinion--as the things the masses praise usually make me gag. Having said that, I hereby solicit your input; you guys ain't masses, y'all are smart and stuff. Have at it, and all that.

[Emil Miller]

Having read virtually all of Wodehouse and also comic American writers such as Art Buchwald, James Thurber and the Canadian Stephen Leacock, I would say without doubt that Evelyn Waugh is the funniest writer I have read. Scoop is the only book that literally made my sides ache. I should add that it is a very English novel that might not seem so amusing to other nationalities.

[Tyrion Cheddar]

Thank you, both. I shall investigate, and now I'm even more determined to read Waugh. Meanwhile I got bored and started "The Martian" so I suppose I should finish that first. ;-)

[singhjee]

This one really great literature of being funny people alway look such type of recommendation literature.

[bounty]

for comical writing and sheer hilarity of circumstances, I whole-heartedly recommend Patrick mcmanus!

[prendrelemick]

Chrome Yellow, by Aldous Huxley reminded me of Wodehouse. Country house, ridiculous people being ridiculous, 1920's.

[sandy14]

Douglas Adam's - Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and the Dirk Gently Detective books.

Tom Sharpe's Porterhouse Blue.

[Calidore]

I'll second Tom Sharpe. It's been a long time since I read him, but I remember the first two books in his Wilt trilogy being hilarious (the third just felt like going through the motions). He also lived in South Africa during apartheid and wrote a couple of novels set there; his depiction of the South African police got him imprisoned and then deported.