Well, one characteristic is the use of absurd situations. For example, in 'Catch - 22', the idea that you can't be excused from flying dangerous missions because only insane people would want to fly them, but if you ask to be excused, you're considered sane so you have to fly. It's a really absurd concept that is funny in a dark way.
One of the best is 'Catch - 22' by Joseph Heller. It's set during World War II and uses black humor to expose the absurdity of war and military bureaucracy. The situations the characters find themselves in are both hilarious and tragic at the same time.
A sense of the absurd is crucial. 'Three Men in a Boat' is full of absurd moments. The men's over - reactions to small problems like thinking they have every disease in the book when they just feel a bit unwell. It's this kind of absurdity that makes the reader laugh out loud.
One of the great ones is 'The Hating Game' by Sally Thorne. It's full of witty banter between the two main characters who start off as office rivals. Another is 'Red, White & Royal Blue' which has a humorous take on a fictional relationship between a British prince and the US president's son. And 'Beach Read' also stands out, with its two writers who challenge each other to write in different genres and the comical situations that unfold as they get to know each other better.
One of the best humour novels is 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' by Douglas Adams. It's filled with absurd situations and hilarious characters. For example, the concept of the 'Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything' being 42 is both silly and thought - provoking.
Well, one way is to look at bestseller lists in the romance genre. Often, the popular books tend to have elements of humor that appeal to a wide audience. Amazon also has a great system of reviews and ratings. You can search for modern romance novels and then sort by the ones with high ratings and reviews that mention humor. Additionally, libraries sometimes have displays or lists of recommended reads. You can ask the librarian if they have any suggestions for humorous modern romance novels.
Dark humour novels often deal with serious or taboo topics like death, war, and social problems in a humorous way. For example, they might make jokes about the absurdity of war or the silliness of human behavior in the face of mortality.
Ruskin Bond's works also contain a lot of humour. For example, in many of his short stories set in the Indian hills, he uses humour to depict the simple yet interesting lives of the local people.
The use of language is crucial too. Clever wordplay, sarcasm, and exaggeration can all add to the humour. In 'The Stolen Bacillus', Wells uses a lot of scientific jargon in a comical way, making the situation more absurd and the story more humorous. He also exaggerates the reactions of the characters, which amps up the comical factor.
Sure. 'The Gift of the Magi' by O. Henry is a great one. It has a humorous and ironic twist at the end. The young couple, in their attempts to buy each other a Christmas present, end up selling their most prized possessions, which renders the gifts they bought for each other somewhat useless but in a really funny and heartwarming way.