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Happyslapped by a Jellyfish: The words of Karl Pilkington
A hilarious guide to travelling, from the man behind The World of Karl Pilkington - one of our most innovative thinkers, visionaries and prophets, or as Ricky Gervais knows him, 'the funniest man alive in Britain today'. Pack your suitcase and take an irreverent trip with the unlikely star of "The Ricky Gervais Podcast Show", Karl Pilkington, to the furthest corners of Europe. From sunbathing in t-shirts and lizards the length of Toblerones, to a toxic apartment in Ibiza with a used loo that can't be flushed - these witty musings could put you off travelling forever! Gain insight into the curious life of this comic genius from pithy anecdotes. Find out about his mum's obsession with keeping gnomes indoors and his experiences getting high on dope chocolate, to his childhood dentist who filled his perfect back teeth to give them 'extra protection'. This book features Pilkington's original illustrations and imaginative scribblings.
223 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
103 people are currently reading
1603 people want to read
About the author
Karl Pilkington
38 books559 followersKarl Pilkington is a Sony Award-winning English radio producer, poet, podcaster, raconteur and author, best known for producing and co-presenting The Ricky Gervais Show on London radio station Xfm from 2001 to 2005 and later in the form of podcasts and a television show on HBO. In October 2006, Pilkington's first book The World of Karl Pilkington was published, featuring original ideas and drawings by Pilkington, based upon the subject matter discussed in the podcasts. His second book, Happyslapped by a Jellyfish, was published in October 2007, and he was the subject of the Comedy Lab episode "Karl Pilkington - Satisfied Fool", which aired in October 2007. His third book, Karlology, a musing on his views on his own intelligence, and attitude to learning, appeared on 1 October 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews
August 2, 2024
I bought this book because I loved Karl in The tv series Idiot Abroad.
There's nothing funnier than seeing him as the reluctant traveller, having to do Ricky Gervais's bidding.
He's funny in the tv series, because he doesn't have time to think about where he's going, what he's going to do, unlike the book, where he even manages to do things he's actually interested in! I much prefer the tv series with Karl at his best being completely miserable, and hilariously funny.
There's nothing funnier than seeing him as the reluctant traveller, having to do Ricky Gervais's bidding.
He's funny in the tv series, because he doesn't have time to think about where he's going, what he's going to do, unlike the book, where he even manages to do things he's actually interested in! I much prefer the tv series with Karl at his best being completely miserable, and hilariously funny.
August 13, 2021
First Read: *****
Second Read: ***
Aww... that was disappointing. First go round this was one of the funniest things i've ever read but comedy can date quickly and this one did.
I mean a few low chuckles here and there and a couple of really good bits the school trip and hospital visit still great. However overall it doesn't stand up very well.
Second Read: ***
Aww... that was disappointing. First go round this was one of the funniest things i've ever read but comedy can date quickly and this one did.
I mean a few low chuckles here and there and a couple of really good bits the school trip and hospital visit still great. However overall it doesn't stand up very well.
July 25, 2011
For me, the genius of Karl in the podcasts is that he was unaware that he is such a hilarious man. Steve and Ricky set him going - and then we laughed along with them at his ridiculous, outlandish statements.
In this book, Karl is aware that he is an amusing man but he is trying to recreate his spontaneous, natural statements in a concious way. Originally the humour resided in the fact that he was unaware how funny his opinions are - now he's aware of it and is deliberately doing it, some of the humour has inevitably been lost.
Regardless of that, this is an amusing book and it's very easy to read. Great for on the beach/ on the toilet / on a train journey if you're half pissed - that sort of thing.
In this book, Karl is aware that he is an amusing man but he is trying to recreate his spontaneous, natural statements in a concious way. Originally the humour resided in the fact that he was unaware how funny his opinions are - now he's aware of it and is deliberately doing it, some of the humour has inevitably been lost.
Regardless of that, this is an amusing book and it's very easy to read. Great for on the beach/ on the toilet / on a train journey if you're half pissed - that sort of thing.
September 10, 2009
Not sure if it's because I'm a big fan of the Ricky Gervais XFM broadcasts and his famed podcasts (as Karl is nearly the main feature in them all) but this book was hilarious! Nearly every chapter made me *laugh out loud* in the literal sense. Definitely the polar opposite of an intellectual read, but worth it for the hilarity. None of the stories are fiction either - at least to Karl they aren't. Would have taken me less than a day to get thru the book if I had a day to waste. Definitely a good break-book in between your serious reading. Did I ever mention Karl Pilkington is my hero?
April 21, 2017
I bought this with my boyfriend in mind, but ended up reading it myself before I'd even given it to him. I was surprised that I was so little amused by the book. I find Pilkington very funny indeed, but as a lot of these stories have been recounted in the podcasts which I've listened to, there wasn't anything which felt overly fresh about it. A tiny bit disappointing.
November 4, 2019
If you’ve heard of Karl Pilkington before then you probably know what to expect. He’s the daft northerner that you may already know and love from the Ricky Gervais Show as well as An Idiot Abroad. Here, we basically have his journal entries from various holidays along with a few extra little goodies, like graphic novel style illustrations of his stories or little poems that he wrote.
It was entertaining enough, but it also got a little repetitive over time. I like Pilkington’s humour, but in some ways it’s also kind of formulaic, and so I think this book was just the right length and that if it had been 100 pages longer, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. Still, I’m glad that I picked it up, and there were a few bits here and there that did make me laugh out loud. I just don’t think I’d read it again.
It’s also a little bit like Bill Bryon’s Neither Here Nor There in which it makes travelling sound kind of…well, terrible. It’s fine if the humour comes across, which it does here, but it was just about starting to grate on me when I reached the end. So yeah.
It was entertaining enough, but it also got a little repetitive over time. I like Pilkington’s humour, but in some ways it’s also kind of formulaic, and so I think this book was just the right length and that if it had been 100 pages longer, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much. Still, I’m glad that I picked it up, and there were a few bits here and there that did make me laugh out loud. I just don’t think I’d read it again.
It’s also a little bit like Bill Bryon’s Neither Here Nor There in which it makes travelling sound kind of…well, terrible. It’s fine if the humour comes across, which it does here, but it was just about starting to grate on me when I reached the end. So yeah.
February 3, 2013
I, like a lot of people, know Karl Pilkington as the reluctant traveller from the television programme An Idiot Abroad. When I saw this online at a very good price, I simply had to pick it up. I love Karl’s one liners and the way he summarises what everyone is thinking brilliantly. This book is a collection of diary entries and summaries from trips Karl has done with his family, mates and school chums. There’s also cartoons and comic strips drawn by Karl and a few attempts at poetry, but it’s the stories where Karl’s talent really shines.
Or should that be bad luck? Karl seems to be fraught with it on his travels. There’s the solidified toilet in Ibiza, the time he accidently got high on hash chocolate, getting stung by a jellyfish in the Caribbean and the maze like hotel in Tunisia. No wonder the poor guy isn’t keen on doing any more travel!
The book is written just how Karl speaks ‘me mam and dad run a butty shop’ etc. (My mother and father have a sandwich shop, not anything involving butts) but I found it easy to follow along, perhaps because I know some English people who use the same colloquialisms! Once you get into the rhythm, it’s like Karl is telling you the tale. The book made me laugh at loud at many points through Karl’s ‘state everyone’s thoughts out loud’ and preference for McDonald’s, even in Brussels.
My only disappointment was this was a very fast read – it’s a smaller format book and Karl’s tales of unintentional woe (like telling the police about a crime, going to bed, and then being woken by the police) addictive. It’s interesting that Karl states he will never, ever go to Australia (not for any original reason – just the bugs, spiders, snakes) but then he did for An Idiot Abroad.
If you like your humour deadpan and stating the obvious, this is the book for you as a light read. Guaranteed to put you off your holiday if you’re dreaming of one!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Or should that be bad luck? Karl seems to be fraught with it on his travels. There’s the solidified toilet in Ibiza, the time he accidently got high on hash chocolate, getting stung by a jellyfish in the Caribbean and the maze like hotel in Tunisia. No wonder the poor guy isn’t keen on doing any more travel!
The book is written just how Karl speaks ‘me mam and dad run a butty shop’ etc. (My mother and father have a sandwich shop, not anything involving butts) but I found it easy to follow along, perhaps because I know some English people who use the same colloquialisms! Once you get into the rhythm, it’s like Karl is telling you the tale. The book made me laugh at loud at many points through Karl’s ‘state everyone’s thoughts out loud’ and preference for McDonald’s, even in Brussels.
My only disappointment was this was a very fast read – it’s a smaller format book and Karl’s tales of unintentional woe (like telling the police about a crime, going to bed, and then being woken by the police) addictive. It’s interesting that Karl states he will never, ever go to Australia (not for any original reason – just the bugs, spiders, snakes) but then he did for An Idiot Abroad.
If you like your humour deadpan and stating the obvious, this is the book for you as a light read. Guaranteed to put you off your holiday if you’re dreaming of one!
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
January 29, 2010
Not something I'd read usually but my wife got it from the library so it was lying around. It was o.k. for bathroom reading but, having listened to Karl and Ricky Gervais on the podcast, I could always here Karl's voice in my head and Ricky's hysterical laugh!
If nothing else, this book settled the question for me of whether Karl is a comedy genius or just an idiot...
If nothing else, this book settled the question for me of whether Karl is a comedy genius or just an idiot...
March 2, 2019
I love Karl Pilkington! He is so funny! If you don't know him - check out the Idiot Abroad series. Very funny book.
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April 23, 2024eu amo tanto ele
October 2, 2012
This is gonna be a quick review as I have 3 logs and 2 assessments this week.
This book is typical Karl Pilkington - nothing ever impresses him and misfortune seems to follow him.
The book is written like a diary in some parts and in others it's more flashback sort of things of every holiday he's had.
I didn't like it as much as An Idiot Abroad - this is going to sound mean but I preferred it when he went to places that he didn't want to go to - not on holidays he's booked himself. I liked how Stephen and Ricky always had something mean planned for him and that Karl didn't know what was going on until it actually happened.
Saying that, I did like this book - it was quite sweet. In an old man sort of way.
This book is typical Karl Pilkington - nothing ever impresses him and misfortune seems to follow him.
The book is written like a diary in some parts and in others it's more flashback sort of things of every holiday he's had.
I didn't like it as much as An Idiot Abroad - this is going to sound mean but I preferred it when he went to places that he didn't want to go to - not on holidays he's booked himself. I liked how Stephen and Ricky always had something mean planned for him and that Karl didn't know what was going on until it actually happened.
Saying that, I did like this book - it was quite sweet. In an old man sort of way.
June 2, 2015
2.5 I probably should have stopped reading Karl Pilkington's books, except I bought them in bulk before I read any, with my only experiences being the XFM radio show and podcasts with Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant. The shows/podcasts are, in my opinion, significantly better, though perhaps if you haven't listened to them, you might enjoy the books more. Most of the best insight/anecdotes I had already heard from the podcast.
My two favourite things about this book were the captioned photos, and this quote about my country:
"I look at Australia like Ikea. People always say how good it is, but I can't be bothered going as it's in the middle of nowhere and hard to get to."
Brilliant.
My two favourite things about this book were the captioned photos, and this quote about my country:
"I look at Australia like Ikea. People always say how good it is, but I can't be bothered going as it's in the middle of nowhere and hard to get to."
Brilliant.
May 7, 2013
People keep going on about global warming, asking us to turn the heating down cos the ice is melting and polar bears are drowning, but no one cares. They should tell everyone that angry spiders from Australia are moving over here cos of the heat, and then we'd soon turn off one of the bars on the fire.
I like Karl Pilkington, it is hard not to like him.
The book contains Karl's tales on his holiday experiences and his musing on life. With pictures and Karl's illustrations.
Fun and quick read.
I like Karl Pilkington, it is hard not to like him.
The book contains Karl's tales on his holiday experiences and his musing on life. With pictures and Karl's illustrations.
Fun and quick read.
May 3, 2018
Classic Karl
Brilliant book.
I’ve read all of Karl’s books and this is the first one I read all those years ago. I leant my paperback copy to a mate and I Never saw it again.
Karl might not be a massive fan of going on holiday but he certainly has traveled. Luck bugger he is too, the places he writes about here makes them sound interesting. He makes the mundane sound thrilling. That is a compliment by the way.
Brilliant book.
I’ve read all of Karl’s books and this is the first one I read all those years ago. I leant my paperback copy to a mate and I Never saw it again.
Karl might not be a massive fan of going on holiday but he certainly has traveled. Luck bugger he is too, the places he writes about here makes them sound interesting. He makes the mundane sound thrilling. That is a compliment by the way.
May 30, 2012
I picked up this book because the title is made of win, but the book itself was a disappointment and I gave up about 2/3 of the way through it. Dull anecdotes trying hard to be clever, and missing the mark. Perhaps this comedian shines in live shows, but I found his stories completely lackluster in print.
May 12, 2020
"It's weird how me and that insect are miles apart in terms of lifestyle, yet we both like a biscuit."
I read this when it first came out, after listening to the podcasts, this is pretty much an expansion of that. I have only read it once and loved it, but I feel if I went back to it I wouldn't love it as much, so I wont...
I read this when it first came out, after listening to the podcasts, this is pretty much an expansion of that. I have only read it once and loved it, but I feel if I went back to it I wouldn't love it as much, so I wont...
March 2, 2008
I am a big fan of Karl Pilkington, but this was disappointing. I realy wanted this book to make me laugh as hard as the 1st book did, perhaps some of the higher ratings here are a little guilty of hero worshipping.
Nice illustrations though.
Nice illustrations though.
March 26, 2011
Sigh... this was occasionally somewhat amusing, in a mild snickery kind of way, but I feel like the genre of grumpy 30-something balding British guy going on fairly crappy holidays is already a bit tired, and there wasn't anything really crazy in this one.
October 26, 2012
Karl is a hilarious guy but somehow his humour doesn't translate well through text, I think it's best when his naivety is questioned by Ricky and Steve and he is then forced to explain his reasoning.
I enjoyed the read as it was entertaining but only gave it 2 stars.
I enjoyed the read as it was entertaining but only gave it 2 stars.
April 24, 2018
karl pilkington is a national treasure. i cannot fathom what goes on in his mind and this book is one step closer to understanding. the things he comes up with is truly mind-boggling. a highly entertaining book!!
5 stars
5 stars
January 12, 2013
This book is taking me forever to get through because I can barely see the words through my tears (from laughter). Ok, maybe that's a bit hyperbolic, but this is one seriously funny book.
January 6, 2014
An okay book. The author continues on from his first book "An Idiot Abroad", and while it has some funny parts and is reasonably entertaining, it wasn't quite on par with it's predecessor.
February 2, 2014
Good but not his best. When you start reading his books you see some repetitions.
June 15, 2015
Karl Pilkington. 'Nuff said.
January 24, 2016
I love a good laugh and this book gave me plenty of them, so five stars for you!
July 11, 2021
Short and sweet. Laughed out loud many times. I remember loving An Idiot Abroad so I grabbed this book. Didn’t expect a literary masterpiece, but thought it would be entertaining. It was.
July 16, 2020
3.5 stars
Simple read but much funnier when you hear Karl speaking and see his expressions.
Simple read but much funnier when you hear Karl speaking and see his expressions.
December 9, 2024
3.5 stars
March 2, 2011
This is the fellow from the show "An Idiot Abroad", which is pretty funny. This is some random musings on travels he's made - but somehow it isn't as funny as he is on the show. It probably helps on the show to see him experiencing his trips; in the book, all we get are his thoughts on what already happened. They're clever thoughts, but he's too vague of a story teller for the set-up to his reactions to be detailed enough to support the punchline.
February 20, 2017
The amount of joy Karl's words of wisdom bring to me when my mood is black and I feel hopeless is worth an unlimited amount of stars. I know I will smile if I pick up one of his books...and means a lot to me.
While I wish the book was a bit longer, and I wish the travelogues of each place he visits were more organized (the book is verrry disjointed in a stream-of-consciousness way that doesn't really suit travel books), overall, it's a bright ray of gleefully pessimistic hilarity.
While I wish the book was a bit longer, and I wish the travelogues of each place he visits were more organized (the book is verrry disjointed in a stream-of-consciousness way that doesn't really suit travel books), overall, it's a bright ray of gleefully pessimistic hilarity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 291 reviews