Three Men in a Boat is a quintessential example of an English comedy novel. Jerome makes fun of social niceties and people’s peculiarities with humor that ranges from subtle wit to outright slapstick. The narrative is full of funny anecdotes and irreverent observations, and a lot of the humor arises from misunderstanding or mislaying things and people. The humor of this novel is also based on the exaggerated personalities of the “three men” and their graceless manner of handling everyday situations. Jerome’s language is playful and dry, which helps to make the (often ironic) situations the characters find themselves in even funnier.
The novel also belongs to the genre of travel literature, as it chronicles the physical journey of the three men along the River Thames in a boat. It was originally meant to be a travel guide for the area, which is why Jerome pays such close attention to the historical features along the Thames's path. Because of the novel’s popularity, fans of the author often take real-life versions of this trip themselves. Jerome's descriptions bring the romantic, deeply green landscapes, historic towns, and serene waterways of southern England clearly to mind for the reader.
Three Men in a Boat is a very immersive novel, full of all sorts of sensory language intended to transport Jerome’s audience into the English countryside. It’s not just a physical journey that the men take, however. As they travel, their shared experiences on the boat strengthen their bonds of friendship and test their (weak) resolve. Although they often have petty squabbles, they emerge from their journey as firmer friends. Their interactions, filled with banter and teasing, also offer a glimpse into the complicated dynamics of male friendship during the late 19th century.
