The Best of Russian Humor: Over 1,500 Original Russian Jokes, Quips, Quotes, and Anecdotes

by Vladimir Godunok

The Best of Russian Humor is its author "attempt to bring to English-speaking readers some of the most popular tidbits of Russian wit and everyday humor". The book consists of over 1,500 original... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0968535801
• ISBN13: 9780968535806
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Russian Doll Publishing
• Length: 370 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

"He who laughs last didn't get it at first."

As you can see,I've written several Reviews on 'Joke' books.When I came across this one,I was intriqued.The few Russian jokes I've come across usually go something like this;"There were 3 guys on an airplane,an American,a Frenchman and a Russian....".This book promised "more than 1,500 original Russian jokes,quips,quotes and anecdotes,many of which have never before been translated to English".Well,the book certainly delivered.Very few were familiar to me.Some were quite funny but many were just not what we think of as Western humor.One has to remember,that Russia was taken over by the communists in 1916 and it is obvious from reading this book that communism has affected humor just as much as every other aspect of Russian culture.Reading this book one gets the feel that most of these jokes came down from some government department in charge of humor.That is the difference,here in the West,most of us hardly consider bureaucrats as a bastion of humor.Most jokes are about the government,shortages,drunkeness,ugly women,unfulfilled promises,hopelessness and avoiding military service.I was also reminded of a Korean friend ,when I asked him how come we never hear any Korean jokes.His answer was "When you live in Korea ,there's nothing funny." While giving a good sample of Russian humor,it's not the kind of humor you get on the Late Nite Shows,and definately not material for a stand up comic,unless planning a career in Russia or some socialist country.