Rating:  Summary: Hilariously funny, truly PGW is the master of farce Review: PG Wodehouse excells in this novel while leaving one in gaffaws and amazed at Bertie's uncanny ability to get into such messes. Jeeves as always reliable and commanding. PGW is probably one of the funniest and finest writers of this century.
Rating:  Summary: Perfection within pages. Review: This is a grand collection of stories that show Wodehouse at his prime. I think the appeal of this particular book is how well paced the stories are you find yourself almost racing through them because of the rapid fire wit and satire that Wodehouse throws out to the reader almost like as if one is playing tennis with the author.This is the perfect book for the bath, commuting on buses/trains/planes or waiting for an appointment. It can be easily picked up or set down as time allows. I kept a copy in my handbag for about two months and it was so relaxing to fall into the hysterical world of Bertie and his gentleman's gentleman.
Rating:  Summary: Wodehouse At his best... Review: This omnibus features some of P.G. Wodehouse's best writing. Complete with three of his best Jeeves and Bertie stories, it is one of my favourite books. I highly recommend it to anyone for an introduction to Wodehouse, or the the reader who has an aquantaince with Wodehouse. All in all, this book captures the rich and elegant style of Wodehouse.
Rating:  Summary: Good Novel, Great Short Stories Review: This volume is rather an odd collection, consisting of the first twenty-nine Bertie and Jeeves stories (at least the first twenty-nine to be collected) plus the novel Right Ho, Jeeves. Wodehouse hit his stride in the 1920s (at approximately the age of forty!), and Right Ho, Jeeves, the latest work published here, dates from 1934, so these are works from the beginning of his greatest period, which, for my money, runs to the mid-1950s (Wodehouse lived until Valentine's Day 1975). Wodehouse was that rare author who was a master of both the novel and the short story. These stories are wonderful. I'm particularly fond of Jeeves and the Old School Chum and Sir Roderick Comes to Lunch; others may well have different favorites, and who am I to differ? Every story is a jewel in its own way. Right Ho, Jeeves isn't, in my opinion, in a class with The Mating Season, Summer Lightning, or Heavy Weather as one of the greatest of Wodehouse's novels, but that's a bit like saying that Symphony No. 25 in Gm isn't Mozart's greatest symphony. Symphony No. 25 is still a wonderful symphony, and Right Ho, Jeeves, is a great, funny novel. Wodehouse has brought me more happiness than any other author; there are, I'm sure, thousands more who would join me in that opinion. If you've never read any Wodehouse, you could do far worse than to start with this book, and you're in for a rare treat.
Rating:  Summary: Good Novel, Great Short Stories Review: This volume is rather an odd collection, consisting of the first twenty-nine Bertie and Jeeves stories (at least the first twenty-nine to be collected) plus the novel Right Ho, Jeeves. Wodehouse hit his stride in the 1920s (at approximately the age of forty!), and Right Ho, Jeeves, the latest work published here, dates from 1934, so these are works from the beginning of his greatest period, which, for my money, runs to the mid-1950s (Wodehouse lived until Valentine's Day 1975). Wodehouse was that rare author who was a master of both the novel and the short story. These stories are wonderful. I'm particularly fond of Jeeves and the Old School Chum and Sir Roderick Comes to Lunch; otherwise may well have different favorites, and who am I to differ? Every story is a jewel in its own way. Right Ho, Jeeves isn't, in my opinion, in a class with The Mating Season, Summer Lightning, or Heavy Weather as one of the greatest of Wodehouse's novels, but that's a bit like saying that Symphony No. 25 in Gm isn't Mozart's greatest symphony. Symphony No. 25 is still a wonderful symphony, and Right Ho, Jeeves, is a great, funny novel. Wodehouse has brought me more happiness than any other author; there are, I'm sure, thousands more who would join me in that opinion. If you've never read any Wodehouse, you could do far worse than to start with this book, and you're in for a rare treat.
Rating:  Summary: Light Literature at its best Review: While watching the televised versions of these books I was constantly wondering how something that was so funny could be translated from what is considered among the slow growing ranks of classical literature. (Classical might seem a bit to strong of a word here, but that is the picture that I had in my mind.) I had always thought that real literature was generally regarded as serious and important, even the ones that were lighter and comedic, but still full of Seriousness and Importance, (Austen's Emma, Pride & Predjudice), and even fantasy based, but still full of that Important stuff, (Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, George MacDonald's Lilith, Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland). But when I thought of a book filled with nothing but humor, I thought more along the lines of Pratchett's Diskworld, Douglas Adams' Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Asprin's Myth books, and others of their ilk. All great stuff mind you, but not truly destined as real literature. Of course once they have stood the test of time maybe they to will join the ranks. But after reading this Wooster stuff I realized that not only was this a funny, well written, wonderful book, (also lacking in that Serious and Important stuff), but it felt like it had also stood the test of time, thereby falling into that (again,at least in my mind) timeless plot of land called Literature. Well now that I have established this, on to the book. Composed of three books, the first two being collections of short stories, and the third a full novel, I was delghted to read these well written stories. Wodehouse was truly a genius with the English language, writing in a style that is at once vividly descriptive, easy to read, and shockingly funny, not to mention that almost half the book is quotable. An amazing feat altogether, made even more so by the consitency with which it is written. Wodehouse was a comic genius that should be read by anyone who appreciates a healthy laugh, or a well written book. If you fall into both catagories then read this and there will be no looking back. Myself, I am hooked for good. This book has given me a new name to look for when browsing the book stores. Enjoy.
Rating:  Summary: Pure wit Review: Wodehouse is truely prolific, but the quality of his writing never wavers. The plot twists are so many that it's rare anything is straight-forward, and, remarkably, it's never too much for the reader to handle. His writing is both complex and refreshingly simple. This small group of stories are all perfectly able to be read alone, but the more Jeeves and Wooster stories you read, the more interconnected you realize his works are. Bertie is delightfully dense, and Jeeves always holds up the proper feudal spirit. There is almost a deeper sort of unspoken friendship between them, Jeeves almost a parent figure. Wooster's friends (and protagonists) are also just ducky. All great, unforgettable characters, and the names are very, very British (20's-30's era). I also love the phrases that pop up throughout the dialog (And Bertie's narration). If you've never read Wodehouse, I suggest that you start, and if you have, I suggest keeping it up. This stuff is timeless.
Rating:  Summary: A great introduction to a comic master. Review: You can't go wrong with any Wodehouse book, but if you're looking for an introduction to his work, this is your best starting point. The tome comprises three novels, two of which are really collections of stories with occasional, loose ties, and then a more traditional novel with a single (but much richer) plot. That third part may seem a bit slow after the quick pace of the previous two sections, but by the end you'll find you enjoyed it all the same.
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