Wodehouse P
Список книг автора Wodehouse PJill the Reckless - The Original Classic Edition
One of Wodehouse the less well-known novels, which you will enjoy reading. A lot of the usual Wodehouse humour based on how people think and react to situations. There are other Wodehouse novels where the charm of New York comes across. This one is as good as any of them in that respect. It also captures the inner workings of the stage and the making of musicals, of course in a Wodehousean way. <p> The story is typical Wodehouse, which is to say that it is simple and yet complicated with many twists and turns, all leading back to a place where the reader pretty much expects it to get after the initial setup section of the book. In this case, the key character is Jill Mariner, and she is joined by Freddie Rooke and Wally Mason, who (as we learn) were Jills childhood friends. Wally had a big crush on Jill in their earlier lives, but when the story starts Jill is engaged to Sir Derek Underhill, and is about to be introduced to his mother Lady Underhill. Jill is still in touch with Freddie, and Wally re-enters their lives when they go to see his new play. Other key characters are Major Christopher Selby, who is Jills uncle and was in charge of her inheritance; and Nelly Bryant, who is an American chorus girl who is stranded in London. <p> The story follows Jill through a broken engagement over a misunderstanding, the loss of her wealth, her living with relatives who have their own plans, her decision to get work as a chorus girl, and, as with all Wodehouse, the finding of the love of her life. The story starts in England, but moves to America which brings in her additional relatives, as well as Isaac Goble, Otis Pinkington, and his wealthy aunt Mrs. Peagrim. Isaac is a theatrical manager and has been contracted by Otis to put on a play which he wrote called The Rose of America. <p> This book is a great example of Wodehouses work. With a little more trimming, this might have been even better, but even without that you will find plenty of enjoyment. It is a solid book, and a fun read.
Death At The Excelsior And Other Stories - The Original Classic Edition
Death At The Excelsior is a highly recommended introduction into the world of Wodehouse; a first-time reader may, like most of us, become quickly addicted to Wodehouse and further explore the richly humorous world of this marvelous author. Longtime admirers will, of course, return frequently to these miniature gems. <p> This fabulous Collection Of Early Wodehouse Writings is a must have. Contents: Death At The Excelsior [1914], Misunderstood [1910], The Best Sauce [1911], Jeeves And The Chump Cyril [1918], Jeeves In The Springtime [1921], Concealed Art [1915], The Test Case [1915]
A Wodehouse Miscellany: Articles & Stories - The Original Classic Edition
A Wodehouse Miscellany is a highly recommended introduction into the world of Wodehouse; a first-time reader may, like most of us, become quickly addicted to Wodehouse and further explore the richly humorous world of this marvelous author. Longtime admirers will, of course, return frequently to these miniature gems. <p> This fabulous Collection Of Early Wodehouse Writings is a must have. Contents: Some Aspects Of Game-Captaincy, An Unfinished Collection, The New Advertising, The Secret Pleasures Of Reginald, My Battle With Drink, In Defense Of Astigmatism, Photographers And Me, A Plea For Indoor Golf, The Alarming Spread Of Poetry, My Life As A Dramatic Critic, The Agonies Of Writing A Musical Comedy, On The Writing Of Lyrics, The Past Theatrical Season, Poems, Damon And Pythias: A Romance, The Haunted Tram, Stories, When Papa Swore In Hindustani [1901], Tom, Dick, And Harry [1905], Jeeves Takes Charge [1916], Disentangling Old Duggie [1912]
Psmith in the City - The Original Classic Edition
Psmith in the City marks something of a transition piece for Wodehouse. Here, two of his principle School characters are taken away from the school environment and put into the real world. Psmith is elevated to the principle character quite clearly – a trend which continues in Psmith, journalist, and of course is entirely dominant in the concluding Leave it to Psmith, where Mike is relegated to the background. <p> There is also an element of the autobiographical in this work, for Wodehouse spent his post school days in much the same position as Mike finds himself – working in a city job for which he had little aptitude and did not like. Dulwich College, Wodehouses school, also makes a cameo appearance. <p> The character of Psmith (based on a real person, unusually for Wodehouse) lends himself well to Wodehouses skill at dialogue. Psmiths unique character traits are generally revealed in his conversation, and Wodehouse makes the most of this – certainly more than he was able to in the earlier school settings for Mike and Psmith. The dialogue does not, perhaps, soar to the heights it achieves in Leave it to Psmith, but this is a distinctly earlier piece of writing. Indeed, the reader is occasionally brought up with a jolt to just how early in the twentieth century this is, with some of the settings and phrasings. <p> Overall this is a very enjoyable book, and interesting because of the transition role it plays in shifting from the more serious School series to the more frivolous work for which Wodehouse is more remembered. The autobiographical aspect is also of interest, and though the historical reminders may shock a little, they are a reminder of how long Wodehouse was writing.
A Damsel in Distress - The Original Classic Edition
A Damsel in Distress is a splendid example of early Wodehouse. As with many Wodehouse classics, this one includes a collection of colorful characters, a complex love story involving many characters, and of course the happy ending where everything works out. <p> It is the story of an American Composer, George Bevan, who falls in love with Maud (The Earl of Marshmoretons daughter). Maud is already in love with another American, Geoffrey Raymond, who she met in Wales the previous year. Her brother and aunt, Lord Belpher and Lady Caroline Byng oppose her getting involved with the American and want her to marry someone from her social class. There are more characters as well, including some servants, Lady Carolines son Reggie, Lord Marshmoretons secretary Alice Faraday, and an acquaintance of Georges Billie Dore who is in the Chorus of Georges latest musical comedy. <p> As with most Wodehouse stories, the plot is very complicated, and attempts to describe it in detail would fail to do it justice. It does involve a case of mistaken identity, a pool among the servants on who will marry Maud, and several characters finding their loves. <p> Overall this is a very good example of a classic Wodehouse story, and it is well worth reading.
Adventures of Sally - The Original Classic Edition
Wodehouse has written a very interesting book with the Adventures of Sally. In this case, the interest is created by Sally herself, as her story unfolds, even though she is surrounded by most every mundane stock character available during that time period. Yet still, Sally shines as an entirely human beacon of life, light and hope, in a world that seems doomed to be run with comedic austerity. Quite a unique perspective. <p> You can almost feel the Great Depression looming ominously beyond the horizon, as the Sallys tale begins with dreamy plans for financial gains and burdens of familial financial loss. Almost immediately, Sally is whisked away to a less widely known vacation spot in Roville, France, where she meets love interests Mr. Two and Mr. Three (already engaged to Mr. One). Sallys sparked interest in Mr. Two, lets call him Ginger, begins the basic premise for the plot. The rest of the book involves rejection from Mr. One in favor of Miss Two, and offering scorn to Mr. Three in reponse to his offers of love, predictably because he was immediately and always disliked. This is all sandwiched between the financial adventures of Sallys brother Fillmore as he competes for financial independance by taking up multiple ludicrous failing schemes. <p> Now, while unpredictable, the plot offers little in intrigue directly itself, but it does offer us something that few plots do: a feeling of reality. The repeated financial failures of friends and family members do happen, and seeing it portrayed here does a lot for the emotional involvment in the story. A nagging depression is the offshoot of this approach; always knowing that things are not going well, cannot go well, and will not go well does that to you. <p> During these traumatic events, we see Sally, as she is portrayed as a real flesh and blood human being. Still trapped in the mannerisms of the day, the etiquette that covers up much of her true feelings, but also alone and dismal. One scene stands out to me more than anything. Sally receiving that Dear Jane letter from Mr. One, knowing what it must contain, sitting on the floor in the bathroom and burning it. But not just burning it, but throwing a lit match at it and letting it burn on top of it, and repeating that process until it was nothing more than a dirty spot on the floor. Very memorable. <p> While the basic plot, as Ive outlined it seems simple, it is actually more complicated. There are reasons why each of the three love interests are considered and of interest, at least for a short time, and this is an example of the plots creativity. Also, spicing up the plot, is the basic itinerary, which includes London, NYC, Chicago, Detroit, and the already mentioned Roville, France and these diverse locations add much to the flavor. Combine that with including three main characters of British descent, and you have a recipe for intrigue. <p> Other story elements of interest include thetrical productions, boxers, and dance instructors (think Tina Turners Private Dancer and you get the picture better). These so fit the persona of urban America at the time, and if you like any of these bits of Americana, this book would be considered a must read. As with most of the classics there are bits of historical flavor which make them real gems. <p> Overall, a very good book from a very good author who has a very unique style of writing you are sure to find refreshing. <p> Highly Recommended.
Mike and Psmith - The Original Classic Edition
If you pick up Mike and Psmith and expect it to be like the wacky comedies that Wodehouse composed in the 20s and 30s, you might be slighted disappointed. This is early Wodehouse, a Wodehouse concerned with school masters, ragging (an expression for creating mischief) and especially cricket. It is also a more grounded Wodehouse, a novel where the comedy is more subtle, a novel where the characters are not quite so flighty. This is also Wodehouse at his least complex. This is not the novel that shows his mastery of the convulted plot, where every word spoken and deed done entagles our heros and heroines in further trouble. <p> This said, I need to quickly confirm that Mike and Psmith is a wonderful novel. It still has a freshness and innocence about it that is highly appealing. In this day and age, of rampant murders and unclear elections, Mike and Psmith is as sunny and cheerful a book as you are likely to find. And just to show you that I read Mike and Psmith with my eyes wide open, I have to state that my early comments are not intended as criticism but as a compliment. The subtlety is the very reason why this novel is so great! It is his art in creating a scene or a character and putting in the interesting setting of Sedleigh that Wodehouse shows why so many refer to him as the Master. <p> Mike and Psmith is not the funniest book Wodehouse wrote, but it does have many incredible scenes, especially Mr. Downings search for the paint splashed shoe. Readers will find a lot to enjoy in this novel. It is an escape to a world not that far removed for our own but placed in a time that we will never see again. This novel truly scores a century!
Love Among the Chickens - The Original Classic Edition
Long before there were Jeeves and Gally, P.G. Wodehouse was writing excellent comic novels about the foibles of the English upper classes. A number of these novels were built around the humorous character of Ukridge, a sort of beautiful dreamer who wanders about above the fray of dealing with reality. I recently read a fine companion book about Mr. Wodehouses novels and realized that I had missed some fine early examples. Love Among the Chickens beckoned to me and Im glad it did. <p> It can be expensive to know Ukridge. Hell invite you out to dinner, discover he has no funds, borrow the funds from you and never pay you back. Needless to say, friends try to avoid him. <p> Jeremy Garnet, the striving novelist, has successfully avoided his old school chum for some time when bad luck causes Ukridge to find Garnets address. Soon, Ukridge is found barreling through the door along with the new Mrs. Ukridge to invite Garnet to the shore to co found an entrepreneurial enterprise, a chicken farm. In Ukridges eyes, this is a made-to-order money machine. You borrow some chickens, raise some of your own, return the original chickens and your bounty expands from there. Naturally, neither Ukridge nor Garnet have the slightest knowledge or experience about raising chickens to lay eggs. <p> On the way to the shore, Garnet sees a lovely young woman whos reading one of his novels. Hes immediately smitten, and the complications begin. Without a Jeeves to help him, things go downhill rather rapidly . . . interspaced with modest rallies. <p> You will enjoy some of the most humorous views of a new chicken farm that you can imagine with this book. What makes it even more delightful is that the books dedication to Bill Townsend in 1920 (to the second edition) makes it clear that the book has nonfiction roots in the real-life adventures of Bills friend on his Devonshire chicken farm. <p> Like most Wodehouse novels, little time is wasted in building humor and romantic possibilities. Enjoy!
Three Men and a Maid - The Original Classic Edition
Many people think of P. G. Wodehouse only in regard to his Jeeves and Wooster characters, which PBS as made so popular. However, as we read Wodehouses earlier works, we can see much of the basis upon which he built those well known characters. <p> All in all, you know what you get when you read Wodehouse. If you expect deep thinking characters who will change the world, go somewhere else. If you want fun and laughter, read Wodehouse. <p> Three Men and a Maid is a laugh-out-loud early Wodehouse novel. As usual, young moneyed, clueless people wander through life without having any touch with reality. (One presumes Wodehouses young men will suddenly have some sort of epiphany and instantly become the stiff upper lip backbone of British society and the bubble headed young women will pull their heads out of the clouds and put on a cardigan sweater, some extra pounds, good sturdy shoes, and set about enforcing the rules of society which have so long frustrated our silly young men.) In Three Men and a Maid, young people fly into and out of love and engagements without a second thought. In fact, the Maid in this novel, Billie Bennet, was engaged to Eustace, Samuel, Bream, then to Samuel again in less than a couple of weeks. <p> Wodehouse spins a good yarn, twisting the plot and the characters dilemmas like a circus contortionist. This plot is somewhat familiar: a young man falls in love at first sight, makes convoluted plans to win her heart, plans backfire, burglars in the country house; yet, everything turns out right in the end. <p> This is typical Wodehouse, which guarantees that the reader is in for a lot of fun!
The Man with Two Left Feet - The Original Classic Edition
This is a very unusual collection for Wodehouse. The stories in The Man With Two Left Feet are very unlike his usual style. Most take place in New York, one is told from the first person perspective of a woman, and one is even told from the point of view of a dog. However, every one has the classic humor and expectedly unexpected happy ending that Wodehouse is known for, and each is a delightful read. As usual, Wodehouse will keeo you smiling throughout ~ even with only a brief visit from our old friend Bertie. <p> Man with two left feet is a delightful book. People have been raving about Wodehouse for a long time and if you have enjoyed watching Jeeves and Wooster this could well be your first venture beyond Jeeves. <p> This book is a compilation of fourteen short, amusing and sometime poignant stories. It is very easy reading BUT cleverly written. <p> A favorite in this book is actually not The Man with Two Left Feet but rather At Geisenheimers.