Ukridge

Rating:
Summary: The Big, Broad Flexible Outlook
Review: Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge, that enemy of mankind, stars in ten brilliant short stories, all narrated by his long-suffering friend James Corcoran. Ukridge (pronounced "ook-ridge"), moocher of socks, shirts, and fivers, evader of creditors, bane of rich aunts, is another of Wodehouse's many great comic creations. Perhaps the best of these are about his management of soft-hearted fighter Wilberforce "Battling" Billson, but the stories are uniformly excellent and hilarious; full of unpredictable comic twists and the brilliant language and dialogue that make Wodehouse a full-fledged genius.

On the first page of the first story Ukridge offers Corocoran the rights to his life story for a hundred pounds down (quickly reduced to twenty-five). Corcoran, who foolishly lets the opportunity slip, may have lacked the big, broad, flexible outlook in this one instance, but P.G. certainly didn't.

The well-crafted, nice-looking edition is another winner in Everyman's excellent serires.

Rating:
Summary: Pure Gold
Review: Ukridge is P G Wodehouse's greatest creation. Unfairly eclipsed in the public imagination by Jeeves&Wooster, for the simple reason that like Psmith Wodehouse didn't write that much for the character. But what there is, is pure gold and 'Ukridge' is no exception. No one story stands out as they're all mini-masterpieces. Get hold of it as soon as you can, old horse!