The Best of Fantasy: TOP TEN Authors Who Make You LAUGH

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I inadvertently said “Broken Earth Trilogy” . . . three times . . . when referring to Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire Trilogy. What appears to be most broken is my brain. On the bright side, Broken Earth comes with three Hugo Awards, so my advice to Mark Lawrence is to take the Hugos and run. 😁

[@Johanna_reads]

While I don’t think you need to be so self-deprecating about the mistake, this made me laugh!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Johanna_reads Ha ha! In that case, I'm glad I made the error, Johanna!

[@covergirlbooks]

😂😂😂 I’d like this kind of Hugo news. The stickers would now include how long the author managed to retain their awards.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@covergirlbooks 😁

[@Distant_View]

Douglas Adams deserves a spot here, hitchhikers guide series is insanely funny and weird.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

While not a fantasy writer, Adams is definitely one of the funniest in science fiction, or we could broaden it and say speculative fiction. Cheers!

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

Wincing while you laugh to Abercrombie 😂😜

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

His humor is highly wince-inducing!

[@marklawrence8418]

Always great to see some love for Jalan! A very interesting set. Locke Lamora and the writing around him, are indeed a pure distillation of wit.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I suspect Jalan would agree that he deserves the love! Sorry about making you the author of The Broken Earth Trilogy, but I did give you three Hugos in the bargain.

[@esmayrosalyne]

Nobody does it quite like Abercrombie, he deserves this spot! And The Red Queen's War is the only fantasy series I haven't yet read by Lawrence, but now I am bumping it up the priority list! Also can't wait for more Gentleman Bastards content, those books bring me so much sheer joy! Great picks, Philip! I personally think T. Kingfisher, Jenn Lyons, Marie Brennan, Jay Kristoff and Tatiana Obey are all extremely witty and effortlessly funny as well. Highly recommend!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent! Thank you for the recommendations, Esmay - much appreciated!

[@Korrale]

David Eddings was the first author that made me actually chuckle. My friends and I were in high school and we would read sections from the book aloud at lunch and chuckle. Robert Jordan had some great moments too.

[@aerialruin8568]

I am half way through Mark Lawrence's "The Book that wouldn't Burn" and wow, sooooooo good. Excited to check out his back catalog. As far as fantasy humor goes I think my top book is Susanna Clarke's "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" , the subtle British wit is so essential to this masterpiece. Cheers.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Susanna Clarke is a most worthy addition to this list! I too love Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but it has been many years since I read it, and so perhaps that is why I didn't recall the humor as I should have. All the best!

[@aleksandertanchev8148]

Love the malazan humor, and one of the best picks is without a doubt the back and forth between Kindly and Pores, pure gold...

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I completely agree about Kindly and Pores, and so many of the other Malazan duos. Cheers!

[@iLastStar]

You just bumped up the First Law books on my tbr!! I already have the first trilogy, very excited to start "The Blade Itself" soon! :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Awesome! I hope you'll love First Law!

[@bookwormfk]

Pratchett. Belongs at the top of ALL the lists. Mine, anyway. 😊

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Pratchett is a genius, and I look forward to loving his work even more!

[@ev3261]

I am in the process of re-reading "Fool's errand", and crying a a lot, but I really appreciate your observation about Fitz and Night Eyes and I completely agree with you!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Their relationship is just so wonderful -- one of the best friendships in all of fiction!

[@BrianBell7]

I appreciate and love this video so much. I agree with you on number one for sure. The concept itself for this video is also brilliant. Fantastic list! I'm sure Douglas Adams is on everyone's sci-fi list. I also found "Broken Earth" funny in the actual Broken Earth because I kept laughing to myself, "I can't believe I'm reading this Josh."

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! I had a different experience with Broken Earth from you and Josh, but I can confidently say it didn’t make me laugh! Cheers, Brian!

[@craigexsted6530]

Excellent You are , my tastes in books are along aligned with your comments ! Thank you for being a book reader n critic in the most positive of ways! I have a set of your books and look forward to reading you in 2024

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Many thanks, Craig! It’s great to meet people with similar tastes and passions on this platform. My gratitude for your support of The Edan Trilogy, and my best wishes for the journey!

[@DoUnicornsRead]

Great list! I think you're so right that the awkwardness and ridiculousness of our human condition needs the balance of laughter. The Red Queen's War went on my list. I love Mark Lawrence's work as you know and a Lawrence book that will make me laugh is a must. From what I've heard so far I wouldn't have looked to Abercrombie for a laugh but I trust you and might give him a try at some point. Thank you, Philip, for another brilliant top 10 list!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That's fantastic, Angela! I hope you'll love Red Queen's War, and I will, of course, be keen to find out what you think!

[@noname3609]

Couldn't agree more on Joe.No fantasy author i've read made me laugh as much as Joe,no doubt ... there were moments that made me laugh whole day ... this guy is a genius ! :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Abercrombie is a gift to fantasy!

[@markgeisler7709]

Some interactions between Jezal and Ferro had me loudly LOLing!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

So many hilarious moments in First Law!

[@MagusMarquillin]

Gotta agree about Tolkien; his dry wit and word-play enchanted me early on, as early as _"what do you mean by "good morning?"_ and I recently experienced it afresh with Farmer Giles of Ham. C.S.Lewis can have a similar appeal, though they are both often pretty grave storytellers, the light hearted moments shine out all the stronger there. I saw it also in George Macdonald's the Light Princess, I need to read more from him to know if that amount of punning is typical from him, or the somber fairy tale of the Golden Key. There is much on the comedy side I need to try: Pratchett, Adams, Piers Anthony, Craig Shaw Gardner, Robert Aspern, Nicholas Eames, Terry Brook's Magic Kingdom books, and most of the books you list - I've read a bit of Martin and and Butcher, but somehow the comedy doesn't remain in my memory yet (but there are great moments from the GOT show). For me, Margart Weis and Tracy Hickman's Dragonlance does have some incredibly funny moments, not just from Tasselhoff and Fizban written to stir up many a straight man, but the characters own short sighted foibles often make the jokes self-evident without help, sometimes at once with being also sad and/or relatable.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Fantastic list! I’d like to try Nicholas Eames’ books at some point, and I think I’d actually get a lot of the music references. Cheers!

[@Steve_Stowers]

"The Light Princess" is great: one of the earliest stories I know to parody or play with standard fairy tale tropes. MacDonald's other work is good, but mostly not so comic.

[@clairemeehan7250]

I agree with you on so many of these but especially the top three. Mark Lawrence has a wonderful dry wit; Abercrombie is just brilliant with his use of humour in such a bleak world; and Terry Pratchett's discworld books are almost always guaranteed to have my chuckling away to myself - he was such a genius (and I don't use the 'G' word very often). I know you've only read 4 so far, but further reading will only increase your appreciation of his work I have no doubt 😊

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m confident you’re absolutely right, Claire - the more Discworld I read, the more I’ll love Pratchett. All the best!

[@doomfable3378]

Growing up it was Robert Asprin for me with his series of Myth books.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I will have to look up Asprin -- thank you!

[@ThrivingWithKat]

Humorous and witty novels are my favorite! Great list 😊

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Kat! Happy reading to you!

[@JohnG225]

More science fiction than fantasy, but the obviously answer here is Douglas Adams. If you like Pratchett you'll like Adams. Both have their own voice, but both do that combo of absurdist British humour with added satire. Big overlap in the fandom.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Agreed!

[@psukebariah3435]

The first Terry Pratchett book that made me laugh out loud, and longer than a few seconds, was Wyrd Sisters. That was the book I recommended to friends to introduce them to Pratchett's work. Of course I love the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carringer, though she may not be to everyone's taste...but the main author I'm reading for humor right now is Ben Aaronovitch and the Rivers of London series. The narrator is such a major nerd smart mouth and so subtly subversive in his way that I just love him. I would also recommend the audiobooks because the reader has great comedic pacing, but even they are hilarious even just reading the page.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much for the recommendations!

[@thefantasythinker]

Totally agree about Malazan humor, just started Dust of Dreams re-read and was surprised at how much I laughed during the first couple of chapters as I remember the book being quite dark originally, and it most certainly is dark, but the balance is there, and it's just great to have it. I would have put Douglas Adams on this list. Nothing made me laugh like Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Cheers!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

While I think of Douglas Adams as belonging more science fiction, he is someone I'm happy to see brought up here. 42, Jarrod!

[@claytonhomer3096]

I love this topic, Philip. I have read at least one book from every author here except Lawrence. I have read all of their main series from most except Pratchett, who I have only read Guards Guards. I thought it was a fun book but, to my personal taste, was slightly over hyped for it's humor. The brilliant commentary is there, however. My list would look quite similar with my number one being Erikson. He just writes exactly my style of humor, Pust and Mogora, Tehol and Bugg, B+KB, he just makes me wheeze with the dry banter. The "letter from Tehol" scene in book 10 is literally the funniest scene in any book I have ever read. Abercrombie would be my number two, for every reason you said. He is just so damn clever. My number three would be Lynch. I know most people prefer the first book, but I loved all three, and the dialog and banter just got better with each book, in my opinion. 🤣🤣

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m totally with on Lynch’s three books - I don’t get people who like the first but not the others. Cheers, Clayton!

[@ChadHuck1]

My favorites for humor run a little lighter than most of what you've listed here. I'll second Robert Aspirin and add Tad Williams for classics, but up at the top of my own list would be Kevin Hearne for his Iron Druid, and Matt Dinniman, who I'm reading for the first time right now with Dungeon Crawler Carl, which has had me laughing out loud many times. If you consume them, I recommend both of these in audio format, as the narrators lean into that humor in amazing ways.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks so much for the recommendations - much appreciated!

[@jan2bratt]

Yes, the Iron Druid books are very funny, I love the dog, Oberon!

[@surpriseitsus9622]

I'm 5 books deep in The Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne and totally agree, plus the Gentleman Bastars series. 😊

[@RaydenSun]

Don't know if it strictly counts as "fantasy" or more "sci fi", but the books from Tamsyn Muir (Gideon the Ninth series) are both a wild ride and absolutely hilarious to read.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Awesome! Thank you for adding Muir to the conversation!

[@Why_do_I_do_this.]

I agree very much ..... But we can all also agree that Terry Pratchet has mastered this type of writing ..... He he writes beautifully and can say sooooo much with very few words ..... But when it comes to writing funny things (very effortlessly too) .... He is the one above all 👀😆 Also shout out to Abercrombie and the inner monologs of Glokta ("If this man is a wizard's apprentice, I am the emperor of Gurkhul" 😂😂)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm looking forward to reading more of Discworld so that I can gain a full appreciation of Sir Terry's brilliance. Cheers!

[@MichaelRSchultheiss]

The Dresden Files is one of those series that I love because it does so much for me: adventure, wonderful characterization, incredible plotting, and of course the humor. Abercrombie is great, too! I read The First Law trilogy many years ago, and I still have fond memories of those characters--Glokta, in particular.

[@MichaelRSchultheiss]

One author who made me laugh relatively recently was John A. Douglas, author of The Black Crown. It's a wonderful coming-of-age fantasy adventure in a world with strong D&D influences, and there are some very funny character moments. The characters really are the beating heart of The Black Crown, especially Ragoth (or "Rags"), a bookish half-orc from a sheltered background, but there are some wonderful secondary characters as well. If I keep going this will turn into a review (a rave review at that), so I'll wrap this up by saying that it's a profoundly charming story, one that reminds me of older fantasy adventure stories from the 80s and 90s while at the same time offering something fresh and engaging.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m looking forward to progressing in The Dresden Files beyond book six, where I hear the series really hits its stride. Cheers, Michael!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@MichaelRSchultheiss I hope to read The Black Crown someday!

[@maxt5319]

I think there's a reason why all things tragic that are longer than a single book have some comedy in them and that's because if there's no comedy it can feel melodramatic or just too bleak. Unending suffering is hard to relate to because it isn't something we're conditioned to understand. Laughter and humour are fundamental aspects of the way we communicate socially. They're a part of what makes us human. So, when an author can not only make you cry, but laugh as well, I think that's something pretty special.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Beautifully said! Thank you so much!

[@Uppernorwood976]

I agree with Joe Abercrombie and Terry Pratchett, the funniest fantasy authors going. Completely outside of the genre, the funniest author I’ve read is P.G. Wodehouse. He’s not to everyone’s tastes, but I can’t get enough of his books. He’s a master of language too.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

And, of course, Wodehouse is an influence for Steven Erikson, especially for Tehol and Bugg! Cheers!

[@jaxpk2669]

Amazing list Philip, I really hope u catch up with Dresden. The 7th book is one of the best ones

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m looking forward to it!

[@jan2bratt]

Good list, Philip. I've read most of these excepting the Mark Lawrence, looking forward to remedying that. I was positive Abercrombie would be number one, he's my pick too!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thanks, Jan! I’m pretty sure Abercrombie and Pratchett would make the most appearances if every fantasy fan made a list like this. I hope you will enjoy Mark Lawrence’s books when you get to them!

[@Talking_Story]

Authors who tread the landscape of the fantastical that always make me laugh I gotta add to your list, James Morrow and Christopher Moore.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for the additions, John!

[@fcsolis]

I can attest to humor in Robin Hobb's writing. I'm deeply engrossed in The Liveship Traders series currently. The dynamic between the Vestrit family members has made me spit out my midnight snack a few times already. The human-liveship interactions even more so. I've had a little taste of Scott Lynch and Joe Abercrombie. Yes, they're funny. So is Nicholas Eames in Kings of the Wyld. As is Brandon Sanderson in Tress, Skyward, etc. Thank you.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Ferdinand! I would very much like to read Kings of the Wyld at some point. All the best!

[@KindlesandKicks]

Can definitely agree with #1. When I first read First Law, I was surprised how much I found myself laughing. An author I find particularly funny, that isn’t mentioned often, is Steven Brust. His Vlad Taltos books gave me a good chuckle.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for adding Brust to the conversation! I will have to look up the Vlad Taltos books. All the best!

[@ayarezk8684]

Abercrombie and Pratchett are among my favourites too! If the scope can expand to sci-fi and realism with fantastical elements, I love Douglas Adams, Slaughterhouse-5 by Vonnegut (has a fantastical side of the coin) and finally, Stanislaw Lem. Lem is my favorite science fiction writer and his the absurdity of his humor is so precious and insurmountable. Memoirs Found in A Bathtub is one of my favourites (not science fiction, more of speculative futuristic examination of history after a very weird apocalyptic event) . I started cackling at the prologue (Notes from the Neogene)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Adam’s and Vonnegut are brilliant! I haven’t read Lem yet, so thank you for the inclusion!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Loved this list! Right with you on the hilarious First Law books that had me laughing between all those gut punches. Scott Lynch and George RR Martin also hit my funny bone, though more recently Matt Dinniman had me laughing the most with the sapient talking cat character in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. For non fantasy, Kingsley Amis once had me rolling on the floor with his satire of academia in Lucky Jim.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I've been hearing about Dungeon Crawler Carl lately, so there must be something there. Thanks so much, Ben!

[@unholyhairdo64]

The funniest Jim Butcher book I ever read was The Aeronaut’s Windlass, especially if you own or have owned a cat. Literally had me laughing out loud!

[@unholyhairdo64]

I also believe The Cinder Spires series is vastly underrated

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'll have to read more of Butcher's books after I finish Dresden. Cheers!

[@heatherauton655]

I would put Jay Kristoff up high on my list, that Australian wry humour is just brilliant. Especially in Nevernight series and EOTV. Murderbot also had me laugh out loud often Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series also had a lot of banter, and I recall living the dragon banter back in Eragon (such a shame the film ignored it) I think my fav fantasy film for a giggle is Knights Tale

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Wonderful additions! Thank you, Heather!

[@MacScarfield]

While not Fantasy, I recently read Robert Harris’ «Imperium» (Book 1 in a Historical Fiction Trilogy about the Ancient Roman Statesman Cicero) and it is PACKED with historical injokes: A personal favorite is when Crassus (who later would join the First Triumvirate together with Julius Ceasar and Pompey Magnus) visits Cicero’s home and admiring it, asks if Cicero would ever consider to sell it (hinting on how Crassus made his humongous fortune on real estate and not through conquest, something that was looked down upon by the martial affinities of the Roman Nobility). Cicero replies that if his house ever catches fire, Crassus would be the very first one he would call upon (referring to how Crassus personally owned the major fire brigade in Rome, which was infamous for forcing fire victims to either pay ludicrous prices while the fire was ongoing to quench it or sell the burned out fire site to Crassus for a pittance)! Harris also give Cicero’s wife some hilarious sassy lines! 😆

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent additions, MacScarfield! Thanks so much!

[@allenchase4388]

For me, one moment of laughter came unanticipated from a nod Terry Pratchett gave to Tolkien. So we have Pratchett and Tolkien combined. I learned the hard way from my one appearance on your channel not to be a spoiler, so I won't say where this takes place. I'm sure others have run across this witty moment, but if someone doesn't know where it occurs, s/he might enjoy searching for it.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I will have to find out about that Tolkien/Pratchett moment next time we talk!

[@allenchase4388]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Hmmm. Are you tempting me to be a spoiler?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@allenchase4388 Ha ha! I would never do such a thing!

[@vaughnroycroft999]

Yeah, for me putting the words "humor" and "fantasy novels" together instantly summons Lord Grimdark to the fore of my cranium--damn the bastard for haunting me like that. I'll never forget cracking open A Little Hatred, after quite a spell without reading him, and laughed out loud before turning the first page. And it was one of those cut-down title pages, too! I really hadn't doubted going in, but that sure didn't leave any doubt that his wickedly humor mojo had only grown more potent. The humorous moments are critical, especially in a grim world, and I know that you found the same solution I did. Every character can have humorous moments, of course. But when you're telling a fairly dark(ish) tale, it sure brightens the whole to have one particular character through whose eye we can see the mirth, no matter how absurd (sometimes the more absurd the more hilarious). Abon is your guy. And Galdor is his perfect foil (and often funny in his own right). I can't recall seeing him in a scene and not ending up laughing... Well, maybe there was one, but in that case I ended up crying instead. Hey, flip side of the same coin, though! Another delightful entry to the series! Thanks again. Wishing you a delightful weekend, full of laughter.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Lord Grimdark has somehow mastered the art of telling a bleak tale while making us laugh. Thank you for the kind words about Abon, Vaughn! I always enjoyed writing the dynamic between him and Galdor . . . Well, except for that one scene you mentioned. "Enjoy" is not the right word, but I was completely immersed while writing that one. All the best, my friend!

[@J.R.Carrel]

Great list Philip!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Joseph!

[@gryftkin]

Of the authors I've read, I agree with your list :) I'd tell you to Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson (if you like sarcastic "spirits" :D). I also think Brent Weeks' sense of humor is underappreciated. Outside of fantasy, I also love Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series - although sometimes he tries to add too much humor. Your self deprecating main character doesn't need to internally poke fun of himself every paragraph ;)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent additions! Thanks, Gryftkin!

[@BookishChas]

I wholeheartedly agree about LOTR and the Hobbit Philip. There are definitely some laugh out loud moments for me. Joe Abercrombie is a great top pick. Pratchett has been hit or miss for me so far, but Guards! Guards! is a hilarious good time.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Chas! I always look forward to reading and laughing with The Hobbit.

[@omaramat4813]

Have you tried Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso?, just 10% in but very humorous

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Not yet, but thank you for the recommendation, Omar!

[@orashionseis]

I would love to add The black Company, One Eyed and Goblin are hilarious ☺️

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Without Glen Cook, there would be no Malazan humor. Thank you for the addition, and all the best!

[@orashionseis]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy thanks for replying, it means alot all the best to you too ☺️

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@orashionseis My pleasure, and I appreciate your comments!

[@krzysamm7095]

You can see the joy of reading radiating through you. You make all my English and literature teachers pale in comparison with the exception of Mrs Ford the reading expert/specialist who made it her mission to teach me how to read and to enjoy it (I’m a phonics failure 😂🤣😂)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you so much for your kind words! Love of reading and storytelling is the foundation of my writing and teaching as well as the reason for this channel. I’m so glad it comes through to you!

[@QuattroOutdoors]

Great list, but it is noticeably missing Christopher Moore. I would HIGHLY recommend starting with "Fool".

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you so much for the recommendation!

[@surpriseitsus9622]

Great suggestion, I remember laughing out loud reading his books in the early 90s. Thanks for the reminder 😊

[@duffypratt]

First, a recommendation: Stephen Brust’s books have a lot of humor. The Vlad Taltos books, and then the related books in the Draegaran world (a series of five books which are a fantasy reworking/parody of Dumas’ Dartangan romances). Next, I think you are right about The Hobbit, especially towards the beginning, and in the scene with the Trolls. Not sure it carries as much into LotR as you say, but there is again a fair bit at the beginning, with the party, The Prancing Pony. I’ve read four Pratchett books and either I don’t appreciate his humor, or they are the wrong books. I see the jokes; I just don’t think they are that funny, Finally, two more recommendations: Neal Gaiman, in just about anything, but especially American Gods and The Graveyard Book. And Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan books. A Civil Campaign had a couple of scenes that were hysterically funny, but you would have to read everything before it (well worth it) to fully appreciate the humor.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for the recommendation! I also have been meaning to read some books by Lois McMaster Bujold. The scene with the trolls in The Hobbit cracks me up every time! Cheers!

[@RuthanBadd]

Thank you for the Bauchelain reference!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

He’s in a class of his own, of course, and I know you could make an entire video just on his comedy!

[@mirkoeinhorn09]

I would like to add a few books. Not because I want to contradict you, but just to make a few more suggestions for those interested. First of all, two books by famous authors that, in my opinion, are unjustly neglected: Neil Gaiman is usually celebrated for The Sandman and American Gods, but rarely mentioned is the indirect sequel to the latter, Anansi Boys, which is not only a great fantasy family drama, but also an incredibly funny comedy. Tad Williams is most famous for the Osten Ard books and Otherland. The Dirty Streets of Heaven is not only a completely different kind of story, it's also funny and quick-witted to a degree that I couldn't have imagined based on his other books. Matt Ruff might not be considered a fantasy author, but I think his first book, Fool on the Hill, is definitely urban fantasy and also incredibly funny. And last but not least, T.H. White again. Just as often as he makes me cry, The Once and Future King makes me laugh out loud. Just think of the episodes with King Pelinore. 😂

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent additions, Mirko! I know he’s not really a character in Anansi Boys, but Mr. Nancy in American Gods cracks me up. Cheers!

[@paulwilliams6913]

I’m just not terribly prone to laughter in general, but Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a book which made me laugh endlessly. The short stories are similarly hilarious (well, the ones that are meant to be funny). Dresden Files are similarly very funny, though I agree with you about how some of the humor is juvenile and voyeuristic.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I love having Susanna Clarke brought up, Paul! She will definitely be appearing in future videos in this series.

[@Steve_Stowers]

I was a little surprised that, with the exception of Pratchett, there wasn't any actual comic fantasy on the list. Other commenters have contributed some good suggestions, but one author I haven't seen mentioned yet is Jasper Fforde. At his best, he's brilliant, wildly inventive, and very funny. And, going way back, some of the funniest fantasies ever written are Lewis Carroll's Alice books. Somehow too many adaptations and derivative works seem not to understand this, but they are, like movies by Monty Python or the Marx Brothers, series of comedic skits and bits.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Fforde will go on my ever-growing list of authors to check out - thank you! I hadn’t thought about Carroll, but I like the suggestion!

[@Johanna_reads]

I couldn’t agree more with Abercrombie, Lynch, Martin, Erikson, and Pratchett’s “Guards! Guards!” I laughed out loud several times while reading from those authors. Well said about Abercrombie’s way of showcasing human awkwardness! I recently read David Mitchell’s “The Bone Clocks,” and that book made me laugh out loud a few times, and it made me cry. It’s more “lit-fic fantasy,” but he also has a meta-joke about how saying a book is half-fantasy is like saying a woman is half-pregnant. 😂

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! "Half-pregnant": I love that! I will add The Bone Clocks to my infinite list of books to check out. Cheers, Johanna!

[@suvash11]

I know it's not Fantasy, but Fredrik Backman is another author who always makes me laugh.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent! Thank you for the addition!

[@jan2bratt]

Yes Backman can make you laugh but just as often he makes me cry, when he isn't making me think. One of my favorite authors who I'm always recommending to others.

[@suvash11]

@@jan2bratt Agreed. Backman has often made me cry and start smiling at the same scene. It definitely takes a special talent to make someone do both at the same time!

[@jamesdawson2937]

I think Jack Vance would be another very good addition to the list.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Many thanks for the addition!

[@akellerhouse83]

I guess i don't read a lot of humorous fantasy books. The only author I can think of who didn't make this list is Douglas Adams, who has a similar humor to Terry Pratchett. I guess he's more sci-fi than fantasy. But otherwise, I think your list is pretty comprehensive.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Amanda! Yes, Adams is more science fiction, but he definitely belongs in the conversation when it comes to humor. All the best!

[@natemercer7538]

I agree Philip. Joe is hilarious.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That’s one reason why we love him!

[@Tausify]

Do you study Hinduism too because there is always a Hindu sculpture or a reference to Hinduism like ur Ganesh T-Shirt

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I lived in Nepal and traveled all over India, and since I married into a Nepali family, I often return. All the best!

[@HeyYallListenUp]

Obviously I'm disappointed Piers Anthony's Xanth series didn't make the list. (Anthony is British born.) De Castell's Greatcoat series and Robert Aspirin's Myth series are two that would also make my list. Oddly enough, Prachett's humor didn't land with me when I read it, but that was over 20 years ago, and I'll probably give him another chance at some point.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Excellent additions! Keep shouting the praises of Piers Anthony, and hopefully more of us will listen up! 😊

[@EricMcLuen]

Also recommend the Myth and Phules Company books by Apsrin if you just want something silly you can read in a few days.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@EricMcLuen Cheers, Eric!

[@futoijosei]

Walter Moers is quite quirky. Try the Labyrinth of Dreaming Books.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I keep meaning to try Moers’ books - cheers!

[@goldendrummer2012]

Honestly i wish i could just normally talk like how Joe writes Northerners. Rikke and Isern could talk about anything and be a hit standup show

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I would definitely watch that!

[@Arshva]

I would like to add Ben Aaronovitch to this list. His humor isn't the point of his books, but i quite enjoy it. Also British, so i think you would like it

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you for the addition of Aaronovitch - much appreciated!

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

He is brilliant 👏🏼 ❤ Rivers of Londin 🙌🏼

[@nazimelmardi]

Oh, you are only at 4 book deep in Sir Terry Pratchett’s trap? Understandable. You won’t get away that easy later. 😂 I have to say that I loved already the Color of Magic when I read it with my experience with Conan and such 20 years ago how he made fun of those old fantasy books and D&D characters.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I look forward to falling deeper in the trap, Nazim!

[@nazimelmardi]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I think his humor back then for the first two books landed well for the fantasy readers just as he wanted. Think in context what we read at that time. Dragonlance. Conan. Drizzt. Etc… so when the tourist met Cohen the barbarian is evidently for those characters for the famous stories we read at the time. All had that type of heroes and wizards and a city to get a team to resolve the problem. It’s a typical D&D setting just everything goes wrong when the tourist gets in the picture and he has too much gold and all the people is greedy.

[@gryftkin]

I, apparently, love The Color of Magic way more than most booktubers :D

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

Christopher Moore, Christopher Buhelman, Delilah Dawson, JR Ward (saucy 😉), Craig Alanson, Craig Robertson and of course Abercrombie, Kadrey, Pratchett, Butcher, Lynch 🤪 I think just wrote a Christmas song 🤭

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! A lovely song, and some excellent additions to the conversation here!

[@a_gameodyssey]

Sapkowski's Witcher series made me laugh multiple times, it's a dry witty humour, just as I like.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I enjoyed the two short story collections, but I think some of the humor was lost in translation.

[@a_gameodyssey]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I do think it has a very European type of humour that I imagine could be lost elsewhere, more a loss of cultural rather than linguistic translation.

[@JuanMartinez-ib7mz]

I would add K.J. Parker to this list. His "Siege" trilogy has great humour and witticism in my opinion. PD: And Stephen King for sure. Though idk if it's considered fantasy overall, I remember some great moments in Dark Tower where he made me laugh. Thinking particularly of a certain shooting scene in Drawing Of The Three.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I agree in regard to Stephen King - and I vividly recall that scene! I haven’t read Parker yet, so thank you for the addition!

[@edsheeran1243]

Joe abercrombie: Scale was drinking. What else would he be doing?

[@noname3609]

lol good1

[@liviajelliot]

The Hobbit was funny, but to me, nothing tops Glokta's sarcasms; his inner monologue just had me rolfing any time, to the point I once laughed out loud in a waiting room and had to apologise xD I think it is more of personal taste, you know? Some people really don't click with Glokta, others prefer Logen's humour more. Have you read Gwynne? I only read Shadow/Hunger of the Gods, and book 2 (Hunger...) was particularly funny, even if the setting is quite grim.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I love Gwynne’s books, and I considered him for this list. He will appear on future lists!

[@jasonsouth1652]

I know they’re not as much of a fantasy author but I have to say Douglas Adams. But for strictly fantasy authors yesterday I read and finally finished an arc to a book where similar to a lot of the others you mentioned deals in heavier subject matter but if you have A) kept me reading for 20+ books and B) can make me laugh and think as much it does to make me want to learn a language just to read them in the original and not translated copies you’ve got yourself a damn fine author who yesterday got me to think folding a piece of paper was the funniest thing ever. As much as i know the series isn’t for everyone I have to recommend NISIOISIN’s masterpiece “monogatari series”. A simple story of high school boy who was once a vampire but now is only one tenth. If you want to start the series but don’t want to commit to it but will get a good standalone book but not necessarily indicative of how the whole series is start with Kizumonogatari (wound story) If you want to start where all began start with bakemonogatari. (Monster story)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you so much for the recommendation! I had not heard of Nisioisin before, but Monogatari sounds fascinating!

[@MetalGildarts]

Mark Lawrence didn't strike me as the funny type. Guess I'll find out when I finally start his Broken Empire series this year.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m glad you’re giving Broken Empire a shot, Marco! It’s not the trilogy of his with the most humor, but I love it for other reasons. His humor can be understated and dry, but it’s always insightful, and Jalan in Red Queen’s War is pure brilliance.

[@farhad_s]

Start List. Terry Pratchett. End List. Start New List without Terry Pratchett, who is in a league of his own. George RR Martin and Joe Abercrombie are brilliant authors who write horrific scenes and characters, but the humour is prominent. I haven't read Esslemont yet, but Steven Erikson definitely is on that list, particularly with Midnight Tides (if I remember the books correctly, introduces one of my favourite duos). Sebastien de Castell deserves to be here as well, for his Greatcoats series. Outside fantasy, funniest would be P.G. Wodehouse and Jerome K Jerome

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

An excellent list, Farhad - or both lists, I should say!

[@nolangarrett3440]

One more Dresden book and I think you would have moved Butcher up a slot or two.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m looking forward to that Dresden Book since everyone seems to feel it’s a step up in the series. Cheers!

[@TheTrueRandomGamer]

Unrelated but are you planning to check out Berserk anytime soon?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I'm starting One Piece now, but I eventually do want to try Berserk. Cheers!

[@noname3609]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Can't wait ! Once you finish East Blue saga I definetly recommend you the netflix adaptation on the series,it's very enjoyable to watch in my humble oppinion ! Cheers ! :) Also,Kentaro Miura's Berserk is a masterpiece aswel ! His death on 6th May 2021 was a shock for all of the fans,couldn't sleep well for a few days now imagine how I would feel if Oda died,won't sleep for years ! :D (PS: Got Zoro on my avatar as you see !)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@noname3609 Now I know who Zoro is!

[@noname3609]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Hell yeah.My favourite fictional character 🙏

[@kingplunger1]

Scott Bakker without a doubt (or on a serious note Pratchett)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha ha! I actually did laugh at the idea of putting Scott Bakker here! Cheers!

[@NobbsAndVagene]

Terry Pratchett and Joe Abercrombie are my favourite authors. They're both funny, but if pressed I'd definitely say Pterry is the funnier one. That's his whole shtick; funny, in a way that makes you think. Also yeah, The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic are probably his worst books. It's better to read his books by subseries than chronologically. I highly recommend the The Watch subseries, of which Guards! Guards! is the first book. But also check out Small Gods and The Truth. They're both standalone novels set in the Discworld, and they're fantastic.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I definitely will be reading more Discworld books! Cheers!

[@kah-thurak]

Terry Pratchett should really be number one here… but if you only read 4 books and two are the first two books that is understandable… the later books are so much better. I would have added KJ Parker, very dry humor but I love it.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Yes, I definitely will be reading more Pratchett and developing my appreciation for Discworld. I’d love to check out KJ Parker’s books too. Cheers!

[@rafaelsousa9447]

I read The Color of Magic and didn't enjoy it much. Then I heard everyone say "No! You can't start with the first ones!", so I read one that is regarded as one of his best, Small Gods. It was okay, definitely enjoyed it more but it didn't amaze me. Should I give it another try, say with Guards Guards, or if I didn't love Small gods I won't love that one as well?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@rafaelsousa9447 I’d say give Guards! Guards! a try. It’s not very long, so you won’t lose much by trying, and it might click with you more than the others. All the best!

[@kah-thurak]

@@rafaelsousa9447 My personal recommendation would be to try one of the later books, like Going Postal, The Fith Elefant, Thief of Time or The Truth, as that is where Prattchett reaches his peak in my opinion. I reread Small Gods recently and I dont know how well it aged, because I remember liking it a lot more when I read it for the first time almost 20 years ago.

[@MaxromekWroc]

The Witcher books in their original Polish are absolutely hilarious. Sapkowski steeped his narrative in the culture and zeitgeist of Post-Transformational Poland - everything is sarcastic, sardonic, and pokes fun at many things like nationalism, clericalism, fascism and others. Unfortunately, this is all but lost in the English translation 😭

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I wish I could read Polish just to enjoy the Witcher books as they should be enjoyed. I read the two short story collections and the whole time felt like I was missing a lot due to the translation. Someday I will continue with the novels anyway.

[@DoUnicornsRead]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy You could learn Polish to further your knowledge of fantasy you know. 😁 Another Polish writer I find very funny, though it's scifi not fantasy, is Stanisław Lem. The Ijon Tichy stories in collections like Stardiaries (Dzienniki gwiazdowe) are hilarious.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@DoUnicornsRead I would love to learn Polish!

[@DoUnicornsRead]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Yeah!😊😊😊

[@anilmlalwani]

Video request: top 10 longest fantasy series.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m pretty sure The Wandering Inn is number one in that category.

[@anilmlalwani]

@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy i just wanted to know other fantasy series longer than malazan.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@anilmlalwani There aren’t too many, but I think someone like Library of a Viking has made a video on this topic. Maybe it was Matt’s Fantasy Book Reviews.

[@ErikBjornSmith]

Us Brits tend to have quite dry and often dark humour, that tends to go over people from other countries heads, and tend to be taken as serious comments. We are rather ahead of the game in humour. 😉

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

And that’s an excellent demonstration of said humor, Erik. 😁 Cheers!

[@gryftkin]

As I like to say... Brits put the U in homor ;) (I'll go put myself in time out for that one :D )

[@stefleop]

Mark Twain - Letters From The Earth

[@ithrahmunchswallow468]

FUN 🎉😂🙌🏼

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Cheers! 😊

[@grigorismath3852]

Haha so the takeaway of these videos is kween Hobb is a win in all categories. She will make you laugh, cry, think, all of the above

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

There are more categories to come, but Hobb has definitely done well so far in my ratings. Of course, in my opinion, she’s earned those spots. Cheers!

[@slavicgarou6414]

Where is Sapkowski's The Witcher? :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I wish I could read it in Polish! The two short story collections were fun, but I can’t recall laughing much, probably because the humor was lost in translation. I’ll read the novels someday anyway. Cheers!

[@slavicgarou6414]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy It's always problem with translation. However, when I was reading Pratchett's Discworld in Polish I had great time. Witcher short stories are not as funny as the so-called The Witcher saga.

[@DanExploresBooks]

Kafka

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Brilliant addition, Dan!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I just taught “A Hunger Artist” last week.

[@DanExploresBooks]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy ah yes. The narrator of that is one of those great "haha" characters in literature.