Have I read this before: Nope. This is a relatively recent addition to my book list.

Review: This was a really enjoyable read. Even though it was published in 1889, the humor in this one still lands. At first I didn’t really like the caveat stories because they interrupted the flow of the three men (and Montmorency, the dog) getting ready for their trip on the Thames, but they seemed like they integrated better as the story went on and thus they became more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously (which has been a really nice deviation from the typical books on my list), give this one a read. It’s not too long, either.

Favorite Part: Montmorency (the dog) chasing a big black tom cat and the resulting imagined conversation between them:

Montmorency does not lack pluck; but there was something about the look of that cat that might have chilled the heart of the boldest dog. He stopped abruptly, and looked back at Tom.
Neither spoke; but the conversation that one could imagine was clearly as follows:—
THE CAT: “Can I do anything for you?”
MONTMORENCY: “No—no, thanks.”
THE CAT: “Don’t you mind speaking, if you really want anything, you know.”
MONTMORENCY (backing down the High Street): “Oh, no—not at all—certainly—don’t you trouble. I—I am afraid I’ve made a mistake. I thought I knew you. Sorry I disturbed you.”
THE CAT: “Not at all—quite a pleasure. Sure you don’t want anything, now?”
MONTMORENCY (still backing): “Not at all, thanks—not at all—very kind of you. Good morning.”
THE CAT: “Good morning.”
…
To this day, if you say the word “Cats!” to Montmorency, he will visibly shrink and look up piteously at you, as if to say: “Please don’t.”

Rating: 7/10