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On Being Idle
- GenresShort StoriesHumor
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1886
1 person is currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Jerome K. Jerome
841 books1,346 followersJerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humorist, best known for the comic travelogue Three Men in a Boat (1889). Other works include the essay collections Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow (1886) and Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow; Three Men on the Bummel, a sequel to Three Men in a Boat; and several other novels. Jerome was born in Walsall, England, and, although he was able to attend grammar school, his family suffered from poverty at times, as did he as a young man trying to earn a living in various occupations. In his twenties, he was able to publish some work, and success followed. He married in 1888, and the honeymoon was spent on a boat on the River Thames; he published Three Men in a Boat soon afterwards. He continued to write fiction, non-fiction and plays over the next few decades, though never with the same level of success.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 10, 2020
This is a jocular essay which talks about the uncomplicated premise of 'idling around.' The pitch of the essay is entertaining throughout. Jerome confesses that he was a sluggish person since childhood. His home tutor and grandma, both, were pretty convinced about him never finishing the task assigned to him. In a jokey tone, Jerome expresses pride in being idle. He says: Idling always has been my strong point. I take no credit to myself in the matter - it is a gift. Few possess it.
Referring to the moments in childhood when he had once fallen ill with severe cold, he finds the reaction of the doctor to be very humorous and exaggerating in nature. He says: "I never could see myself that much was the matter with me, except that I had a beastly cold. I never knew a doctor called into any case yet but what it transpired that another day's delay would have rendered cure hopeless.
On being recommended for a month's rest, Jerome initially considered it to be a delightful prospect for idling. He started imagining the ways in which he would spend his time in idling. He said that he would get up late, enjoy a lazy breakfast, lie in the garden in a hammock and read sentimental novels with sad endings. He then imagined gazing at the sky, watching the floating clouds, listening to joyous songs of the birds and the low rustling of the trees. Jerome says that twice a day he used to go down in a Bath Chair to the Colonnade to drink the waters. Jerome's description of Bath Chairing is highly humorous and ticklesevery bone to laughter. He says that though Bath Chairing seems exciting, it is more of an exhilarating exercise for it involves a sense of danger for the one occupying its place.
He says: Every vehicle that passes he expects is going to run into him; and he never finds himself ascending or descending a hill without immediately beginning to speculate upon his chances, supposing - as seems extremely probable - that the weak-kneed controller of his destiny should let go."
Furthermore, the manner in which he describes people idling by sleeping is very realistic and humorous. The manner in which Jerome gives the detail about various measures that one takes to wake up on time is very humorous. How the alarm clock falters, how they turn down the neighbour who comes to wake them up, the example of the acquaintance who used to go back to bed to warm himself up after a cold bath, all these are full of humour. Also, the manner in which he describes his own failed attempts at getting up on times, despite over-night resolutions are funny in tone.
Such vibrant depictions of life at various places seems to be passing through the eyes of the reader as one continues reading.
Referring to the moments in childhood when he had once fallen ill with severe cold, he finds the reaction of the doctor to be very humorous and exaggerating in nature. He says: "I never could see myself that much was the matter with me, except that I had a beastly cold. I never knew a doctor called into any case yet but what it transpired that another day's delay would have rendered cure hopeless.
On being recommended for a month's rest, Jerome initially considered it to be a delightful prospect for idling. He started imagining the ways in which he would spend his time in idling. He said that he would get up late, enjoy a lazy breakfast, lie in the garden in a hammock and read sentimental novels with sad endings. He then imagined gazing at the sky, watching the floating clouds, listening to joyous songs of the birds and the low rustling of the trees. Jerome says that twice a day he used to go down in a Bath Chair to the Colonnade to drink the waters. Jerome's description of Bath Chairing is highly humorous and ticklesevery bone to laughter. He says that though Bath Chairing seems exciting, it is more of an exhilarating exercise for it involves a sense of danger for the one occupying its place.
He says: Every vehicle that passes he expects is going to run into him; and he never finds himself ascending or descending a hill without immediately beginning to speculate upon his chances, supposing - as seems extremely probable - that the weak-kneed controller of his destiny should let go."
Furthermore, the manner in which he describes people idling by sleeping is very realistic and humorous. The manner in which Jerome gives the detail about various measures that one takes to wake up on time is very humorous. How the alarm clock falters, how they turn down the neighbour who comes to wake them up, the example of the acquaintance who used to go back to bed to warm himself up after a cold bath, all these are full of humour. Also, the manner in which he describes his own failed attempts at getting up on times, despite over-night resolutions are funny in tone.
Such vibrant depictions of life at various places seems to be passing through the eyes of the reader as one continues reading.
January 1, 2020
Hugh Laurie's narration was as good as I expected it to be.
I also relate to the point of the short story: Being Idle is only fun if you have something to do.
I also relate to the point of the short story: Being Idle is only fun if you have something to do.
August 14, 2020
2.5 An ode to sloth nicely narrated by Hugh Laurie.
December 21, 2019
(Audible)
I added a star just because Hugh Laurie reads the short story.
Slow, a little precious in it's attempts to be witty.
"It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do. There is no fun in doing nothing when you have nothing to do. Wasting time is merely an occupation then, and a most exhausting one. Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen."
Not my thing.
Not recommended.
I added a star just because Hugh Laurie reads the short story.
Slow, a little precious in it's attempts to be witty.
"It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do. There is no fun in doing nothing when you have nothing to do. Wasting time is merely an occupation then, and a most exhausting one. Idleness, like kisses, to be sweet must be stolen."
Not my thing.
Not recommended.
August 19, 2025
On Being Idle by Jerome K Jerome
Jerome K Jerome is best known for Three in a Boat. K comes from Klapka, which may be a predestined name for a writer of humorous books.
Being idle- is a subject on which Jerome K Jerome “is au fait”. His teacher used to say that he had never met anyone who could do so less in more time…
A genuine idler is rare, idleness is like kisses: to be sweet, they must be stolen. There are funny considerations on the doctors who arrive right before it would have been too late. Suffering means dolce far niente, reading and being…idle. Sitting on pillows, drink the waters. The waters though prove to be so bad that they make a sick man get well, only to avoid drinking them.
There is a funny passage on waking up: I’ll get up early in the morning, but it doesn’t happen…the bed is such a temptation, that it’s called heaven on earth.
Tobacco is a blessing for idlers, a soothing weed.
Jerome K Jerome is best known for Three in a Boat. K comes from Klapka, which may be a predestined name for a writer of humorous books.
Being idle- is a subject on which Jerome K Jerome “is au fait”. His teacher used to say that he had never met anyone who could do so less in more time…
A genuine idler is rare, idleness is like kisses: to be sweet, they must be stolen. There are funny considerations on the doctors who arrive right before it would have been too late. Suffering means dolce far niente, reading and being…idle. Sitting on pillows, drink the waters. The waters though prove to be so bad that they make a sick man get well, only to avoid drinking them.
There is a funny passage on waking up: I’ll get up early in the morning, but it doesn’t happen…the bed is such a temptation, that it’s called heaven on earth.
Tobacco is a blessing for idlers, a soothing weed.
August 24, 2021
I laugh because it's true, all that's said here. I love this story.
December 27, 2022
"Inspirational" 😂😂😂
September 24, 2015
Heard on audiobook, read by Hugh Laurie. Witty, but slow paced. Some fun moments,
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews