Buzz
Book dedications have been around since ancient times, initially serving as a way to thank patrons who provided financial support to authors—especially when earning money from book sales was nearly impossible. Today, however, they tend to focus more on expressing gratitude and affection towards loved ones.
Often overlooked by readers who skip sections like the Acknowledgements, Foreword, and Bibliography, the Dedication page is where some authors delight in deviating from the usual norms. Instead of simple tributes to family, friends, or colleagues, certain dedications stand out for being quirky, humorous, or downright shocking. Here are 10 such unusual book dedications.
10. Romantic Copper: Its Lure and Lore by Ira B. Joralemon
While many authors create playful, exaggerated versions of heartfelt dedications to family, which are a staple in most books, there are also moments when these messages take a sarcastic turn. Some authors make jokes or even poke fun at their relatives, suggesting they were practically coerced into dedicating the book to them.
Ira B. Joralemon's 1934 nonfiction book Romantic Copper: Its Lure and Lore includes a wry dedication about his wife that is both unromantic and unconventional. The statement can be interpreted in at least two different ways: some readers may find it teasingly playful, while others may take it as outright insulting.
After recognizing some of her positive qualities, Joralemon writes about his wife: “She ain’t so good lookin’ so that any other fellar besides myself is likely to get stuck on her.”
9. My Lady Jane by Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows
The trio of authors behind the 2016 YA fantasy My Lady Jane, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand, and Jodi Meadows, created a quirky and humorous dedication. The novel, part of their Lady Janies series, is loosely inspired by the life of Lady Jane Grey, a British monarch from the 16th century who was embroiled in political turmoil. She earned the title “Nine Days Queen” for reigning just nine days before her execution.
In their dedication, the authors write: “For everyone who knows there was enough room for Leonardo DiCaprio on that door. And for England. We’re really sorry for what we’re about to do to your history.”
The authors' apology to England for the way the book twists historical events is understandable, especially since My Lady Jane takes plenty of creative liberties. However, the reference to Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Jack Dawson, from Titanic, though amusing, seems a bit disconnected from the book itself. Still, the randomness of the comment adds to its humor.
8. Skulduggery Pleasant: The End of the World by Derek Landy
Some authors go all out with their book dedications, making them so inventive that they almost become stories in their own right. Derek Landy, known for his lengthy and humorously bizarre dedications, is a prime example. In the fifth book of his dark fantasy series Skulduggery Pleasant, titled Mortal Coil, Landy jokingly claims that he had no choice but to dedicate the book to his editor. In Death Bringer
In the 2007 novella Skulduggery Pleasant: The End of the World, Landy dedicated the book to his cover artist Tom Percival. He starts by acknowledging the flood of praise he’s received for the covers. Then he humorously contemplates whether he could have designed the covers himself, stating: “I think it’s a generally agreed upon fact that I could draw the covers if I really wanted to. I have the raw talent, the eye, and I have that one year of art college under my belt.”
Landy continues by imagining that Percival knows he’s a threat, feeling the pressure to perform well because of Landy’s perceived artistic potential. He finishes the playful dedication with: “P.S. You’re Welcome.”
7. Liber de Illustribus Henricis by John Capgrave
John Capgrave, a 15th-century theologian and historian, used the dedication of his book on English history to change political allegiances during the War of the Roses. Initially, he dedicated Liber de Illustribus Henricis to Henry VI, lauding the king and his Lancastrian predecessors, claiming divine approval of his reign. However, after Henry VI was overthrown by his rival Edward IV, Capgrave used the dedication page of his Chronicle of England (1462) to support the new king. While Capgrave’s achievement of writing the first history of England in English (rather than Latin) is notable, his political flip-flopping often overshadows this accomplishment.
Though many critics condemn Capgrave’s apparent disloyalty and sycophantic behavior, others argue that his actions were typical of the time. Patronage from powerful figures like royalty was essential to the publishing world in this era, making Capgrave’s shift in allegiance a product of his environment. While modern authors may still subtly cater to influential figures, they tend to be more discreet about it compared to Capgrave’s era.
6. Sick in the Head: Conversations about Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow
Judd Apatow, known for his offbeat humor as a writer, comedian, director, and producer, often surprises his fans with his wit. In the dedication of his 2015 book Sick in the Head: Conversations about Life and Comedy, Apatow first mentions his wife and daughters, Leslie, Maude, and Iris. Then, he delivers a cheeky backhanded compliment to his parents, writing: “And for Mom and Dad. Your support—and the mental health issues you gave me—made all of this possible.”
Most readers are likely to interpret the last part of Apatow’s dedication as a playful joke, especially given his irreverent comedic style. However, considering how much comedy often draws from personal struggles and family dynamics, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if there’s a kernel of truth beneath this humorous remark.
5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
With Mark Twain’s eccentric nature and his widely known quirky humor, it’s not shocking to discover that he crafted an unusually funny book dedication. In fact, Twain had a talent for writing such memorable and humorous dedications, including the one for The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County and Other Sketches, where he dedicated the book to the common name John Smith, humorously suggesting that anyone named John Smith should buy a copy.
Yet, Mark Twain, or Samuel Clemens, may have surpassed himself with the dedication in his iconic 1884 children’s novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. While it’s often called a dedication, this message is really a witty note at the beginning of the book, one that has evolved into one of Twain’s most well-known quotes:
"Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot."
This biting and humorous remark is filled with Twain’s signature wit, a charm that has captivated readers for generations.
4. Maskerade by Terry Pratchett
Unusual book dedications often fall into one of two categories: peculiar or sarcastic. Terry Pratchett’s dedication in his 1995 fantasy novel Maskerade: A Novel of Discworld fits both.
He says: “My gratitude goes to those who made me realize that opera was more bizarre than I could have imagined. I’ll repay them by keeping their names a secret.”
People generally either adore opera or despise it. Based on the sarcasm in this dedication, Pratchett likely belongs to the latter group. However, this dedication ties directly to the theme of Maskerade, a supernatural narrative reminiscent of a classic Gothic tale, where a ghost carries out a series of murders at the Ankh-Morpork Opera House.
3. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Many authors, even within their dedications, humorously address the disappointment of friends or family members when a book isn’t dedicated to them. In some cases, the author may give the person a shout-out in their next work. Neil Gaiman, however, cleverly sidestepped this dilemma by crafting a dedication for his 2005 humorous fantasy novel Anansi Boys that could apply to anyone—or no one—at all, with these witty and ambiguous words:
“Because we haven’t yet met/have only a brief acquaintance/are simply enamored with each other/haven’t seen each other in far too long/are somehow related/will never meet but will, I believe, always think kindly of each other! This one’s for you. With you know what, and you probably know why.”
Whether or not readers appreciate the comedic tone of this dedication, they can’t help but notice how Gaiman seems to cover every possible scenario. While some may wish they had been personally named, no one can fault the author for leaving anyone out.
2. The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
Under the alias Lemony Snicket, author Daniel Handler penned darkly humorous dedications for the children’s series A Series of Unfortunate Events. In these books, Snicket, also a character within the stories, writes to Beatrice, a lost love who ended their engagement to marry Bertrand. Both of them died many years ago, leaving behind their orphaned children, the Baudelaire siblings.
The first of these messages appears in The Bad Beginning: Book The First, where Snicket writes: 'To Beatrice—darling, dearest, dead.'
He carries this motif throughout all 13 volumes of the series, published between 1999 and 2006. Every book begins with the phrase 'For Beatrice.' Notable examples include: 'When we were together, I felt breathless. Now you are,' from The Vile Village: Book The Seventh, and 'My love flew like a butterfly, until death swooped down like a bat,' from The Miserable Mill: Book The Fourth.
In the final volumes of the series, we learn the truth behind Beatrice’s tragic death—a house fire. In The Penultimate Peril: Book The Twelfth, Snicket poignantly writes: 'No one could extinguish my love, or your house.'
1. Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille
In the introduction to the 2006 edition of his suspense novel Wild Fire, the fourth installment in his “John Corey” series, Nelson DeMille humorously critiques authors who excessively drop names of celebrities and public figures in their book dedications, often in far-fetched ways.
DeMille begins by expressing gratitude to 'the Emperor of Japan and the Queen of England for their contributions to promoting literacy' before listing other prominent individuals who have praised his work. One notable mention is Bruce Willis, who once called DeMille to say, 'Hey, you're a good writer.'
His acknowledgments also extend to Paris Hilton, whose family's hotel chain stocks his books. Finally, he thanks Albert II, King of the Belgians, who once waved to him during a Royal Procession in Brussels, causing traffic delays that led DeMille to come up with a plot to 'overthrow the King of the Belgians.'
