Great comic novels? Political or social criticism themes?

[High Plains]

I could use some comic relief. What are some great comic novels with political or social themes?

I can think of a few:

"The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

"Thank You for Smoking" by Christopher Buckley (son of William Buckley. No idea about his politics)

"Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Vonnegut's stuff

But I've read all those. I want more. Anybody?

[dorkulon]

1. Being There, Jerzy Kosinski

[Jade Fox]

2. "How I Saved the World" by Phillip Slater

Funny you should ask this question, because I was just thinking about this book. I read it about 20 years ago, so I don't remember much except loving it. Slater is a lefty social critic, and this is his only novel as far as I know. Here is a recent article by him.

http://www.philipslater.com/index.htm

[SmokingJacket]

3. Oh, so many...

If you like those books, you would probably like Fred Exley's "A Fan's Notes," and the sequels. You might also like the work of Richard Russo -- social themes, mostly!

I also really liked "Independence Day," by Richard Ford, which has nothing to do with the movie of the same name, but has a lot of great social commentary.

[MissMarple]

4. For something completely different, how about a Terry Pratchett book.

Tales of the Disc world that moves through the universe held up by elephants riding on the back of a giant tortoise may offer some wry relief.

[Richard Steele]

9. And most of those have definite social themes running through them.

The DiskWorld is alot like our world, only more so.

[long_green]

5. "Babbitt," by Sinclair Lewis

you also can't go wrong with Lewis' "Elmer Gantry."

[High Plains]

6. "A Confederacy of Dunces" should be on the list, too.

[etherealtruth]

14. Oh, heck yes! eom

[Rageneau]

7. The Gilded Age (oldie but goodie)

[Gabi Hayes]

8. funniest book I've ever read?

Atlas Shrugged....too bad a lot of idiots take it seriously

[Ronnie]

10. Almost anything by

Carl Hiaasen.

[gatorboy]

11. "Being There" by Jerzy Kosinski

EOM

[High Plains]

12. Thanks for your suggestions, everybody.

I've read Sinclair Lewis and Carl Hiassen, but not Russo or Ford. I'll have to check that out. Some of the other folks I've never heard of, but that's why I asked.

[Orsino]

13. Pride And Prejudice

Not only is it hilarious, it's a wonderful portrait of an incredibly repressed society, and of the power of passion to find a way despite it all.