Being able to laugh at yourself is an important quality to have in life. We can only hope that most authors have a healthy sense of humor, because so many bestsellers have spawned parodies that poke fun at the characters, plot, and writing of the originals.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the funniest parody books that reimagine popular stories through a comedic lens.
The Funniest Parody Books
Below are 8 parody books that put a hilarious spin on pop culture favorites, from Lord of the Rings to Twilight.
1. Bored of the Rings by Henry Beard and Douglas Kenney
Bored of the Rings was published in 1969, fourteen years after the release of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. The same year the parody was released, authors Henry Beard and Douglas Kenney also founded National Lampoon.
In this spoof, it’s up to Boggie Frito Bugger and his band of misfits to save Lower Middle Earth from enslavement by the evil Sorhed. Joining him are the inept wizard Goodgulf Grayteeth, halfwit Spam Gangree, twins Moxie and Pepsi, and Arrowroot of Arrowshirt.
2. The Hunger Pains: A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon
This parody of The Hunger Games was an instant New York Times bestseller. Here, The Harvard Lampoon presents Kantkiss Neverclean, who replaces her sister as a contestant on the Hunger Games.
Kantkiss isn’t quite prepared to fight to the death while also looking adorable for the cameras. Adding to the complications are her feelings for both Carol Handsomestein and Pita Malarkey.
3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
In this parody of Jane Austen’s classic novel opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton. The dead are returning to life, and our feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to take out the zombies.
Unfortunately, she’s soon distracted by the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. There’s civilized sparring between the two young lovers, but much more violence on the battlefield. Will Elizabeth be able to vanquish the zombies and overcome the social prejudices of the landed gentry?
4. Go the F*** to Sleep by Adam Mansbach
Go the F**k to Sleep is a bedtime tale for parents who aren’t having much success lulling their babes to sleep with Goodnight Moon.
The profanely affectionate book captures the frustrating experience many parents face while trying to get their kids to sleep, allowing them to laugh at those frustrations and feel heard.
5. Fifty Shames of Earl Grey by Fanny Merkin
Earl Grey is a young and arrogant tycoon who seduces the naïve Anna Steal with his overpowering good looks and unfathomable wealth.
But can Anna get past his fifty shames—which include including shopping at Walmart and his love of BDSM (Bards, Dragons, Sorcery, and Magick)— before his dark secrets and constant smirking drive her over the edge?
6. Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village by Maureen Johnson
This parody is a must-read for fans of Agatha Christie, and anyone planning a trip to a quaint English village. But wait—danger lurks around every cobblestoned corner, and your next sip of tea could be your last.
This illustrated guide will help you avoid the same fates as so many classic mystery characters, should you find yourself in a suspiciously bucolic English village.
7. The Wind Done Gone by Alice Randall
Alice Randall wrote this parody of Gone with the Wind to offer a critical interpretation of the romanticized antebellum South.
This version is told from the viewpoint of Cynara, a mulatto slave, and the daughter of Scarlett’s father and Mammy. The original names are not used—instead, Scarlett is referred to as “Other” and Rhett simply as “R.”
After being sold by the O’Haras, Cynara makes her way back to Atlanta, and later moves with a black aspiring politician to Washington, D.C.
8. Nightlight: A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon
In this Twilight parody, Belle Goose falls for the mysterious Edwart Mullen, whom she comes to suspect is a vampire—mostly because he doesn’t eat his Tater Tots at lunch.
Belle decides she must convince Edwart to bite her and make her his eternal bride, but this proves to be a challenge, since he seems to find girls so repulsive.
Literary Spoofs
Reading books that parody other books can provide a refreshing and entertaining break, whether you loved or hated the original.
These books may not be Nobel Prize winners, but their reimagining of cult classics certainly deserves credit for creativity.
Do you have a favorite parody book or film? Tell us about it in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 8 Common Types of Humor
- Types of Satire: Definitions and Examples from Literature
- How to Identify and Use Sarcasm: Definition, Types, and Examples
- How to Write Comedy: 5 Tips for Making Readers Laugh
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
