I totally second ’’born genius’’;
this book is more than 100 yrs old; and together with the other one (’’...bummel’’) is one of the most enjoyable reads... ever;
i think its so bcos, the plot is simple. JKJ is not trying to convey anything...nor is he trying to be funny; its a simple unassuming narrative; change the costumes & a few settings.. and it can very well be an episode of 3 young fellows on a fun bike trip from mumbai to goa. thats why it is universally appealing... I think.
the other book that really gets me is the ’’Calvin & Hobbes’’ series by Bill Watterson; its contemporary; but I think the characters will have a perennial presence in our mindscapes; very subtle and beleivable humour (unlike other kid cartoon strips where the kid sounds like granpa... am not taking names... he! he!)
I have JKJ & C&H always at my bedside table... and read them b4 I fall asleep.. to avoid getting ’kafka dreams’’ (as Hobbes says!!!) btw, did u know that ’’K’’ in his middle name stands for ’’KLAPKA’’...? no jokes... really!!