This novel is the transitional fossil of comic novels. In its plot you can trace its genes all the way to the ancient Greeks, its mistaken identities and botched schemes; in its prose you see traits expressing themselves, quotations and elegant allusions to every poet and playwright in the canon, from Shakespeare to Harriet Beecher Stowe. And its genetic code appears in every modern comedy worth the name written afterwards, especially any Brit who went near Footlights at Cambridge, but even 4-camera sitcoms, and standup comedians, and Jeff Lebowski.

And it's funny. So funny! Drunk jokes, public speaking jokes, constant clever puns and allusions, malapropisms, comedy of manners and meals and muddled misdirection.