I recently finished reading The Morello Letters from Monster Publishing.

Jon Snow, who is featured in the book as one of the recipients of RM Morello’s letters is quoted on the cover as saying “The funniest collection of spoof letters I have ever read!” The concept, though not original is always good for a laugh. A typical oddball character writing letters to famous and/or powerful people in order to provoke a response.

Unlike Jon Snow however, I’ve seen it done better, in the form of From Bush to Bush: The Lazlo Toth Letters. If you want to see some hilariously written letters then this is the one to read.

The thing is I didn’t find Morello’s letters particularly funny, they were rambling and slightly tedious. However Morello does score above Toth in one area, and that is in the responses.

It could be something to do with the American penchant for litigation, but many of the responses to Lazlo Toth’s letters were formal, sincere and stoic, apparently missing much of the humour, the subtle digs and the opportunity to show they are game for a laugh.

In contrast to Toth’s letters, what I did find surprisingly funny in The Morello Letters was the charm and English wit in some of the replies from departments of major retail chains and the higher echelons of society – if anything this is where this book gets it’s humour.

So if you want genuine tongue-in-cheek comedy and humour at the expense of some VIPs then you should read The Lazlo Toth Letters. If however you want an insight into the classic English wit and witticism that pervades the British culture and spirit, then opt for The Morello Letters.