Three Men in a Boat

 Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) (1889) by Jerome K. Jerome

Our story finds the narrator, his friends George and William Samuel Harris (know forever after as "Harris") and his dog Montmorency feeling overworked, ill, and bored with life, in other words, in need of change. So, they decide to take nice, leisurely two-week boat trip up the Thames to Oxford. They will camp out and cook wholesome meals over the fire and have bracing early morning swims in the peaceful waters. What results is part guidebook, part travelogue, and almost entirely comedy. Jerome tells us about the lovely scenery, points out all the the sights to see (or not--as the case may be [see his eloquent defense of reasons not to gush over inscriptions on tombstones in picturesque graveyards]), and gives recommendations on places to stay (both indoors and out) along the way. 

He also regales the reader with humorous stories about his/their boating adventures and travels--both the present journey and journeys of the past. We learn that oil and cheese are two things one should never take on a boat journey. We learn of Montmorency's tendency to fight anything, from other dogs to cats (except for a certain black tom) to tea kettles. We learn that everything is hilarious--provided it's happening to George or Harris--and that everybody but "J" (our narrator) is avoiding doing their fair share of the work. We see that learning to play the banjo is an underappreciated task--poor George, how will he ever get proficient on the instrument if he's never allowed to practice? We hear the amazing tale of the trout that was caught by five men. And more...so much more.

Jerome has a more delightful stream-of-consciousness style than most authors I've read who practice such things. One story leads naturally to another and though he may wander far afield of where he started, there still seems to be a purpose to his wanderings. And the stories are funny and accompanied by the amusing illustrations of A. Frederics. What more could a vicarious traveler want? ★★★ and 1/2/

First line: There were four of us--George, and William Samuel Harris, and myself, and Montmorency.

Last line: And Montmorency, standing on his hind legs, before the window, peering out into the night, gave a short bark of decided concurrence with the toast.