JEEVES TIE BINDS

Rating:
Summary: Good, But Not Quite Up to Snuff
Review: I first discovered P.G. Wodehouse through his mostly-true autobiography, "Bring on the Girls," in which he adroitly recalls his theater days with Guy Bolton and Jerome Kern. But Wodehouse is most famous for his "Jeeves" books, featuring the wise and unflappable butler who extricates Bertram "Bertie" Wooster from all manner of ridiculous conundrums. The wonder of these farces is that Wooster himself narrates the story, presumably unaware of his foolish prattling and numerous faux pas. In the Jeeves books, Wodehouse manages to write similar plots that are soothingly familiar and yet still ingenious. Wodehouse typically sets the bumblings and posturing of the "social betters" against Jeeves' clever, no-nonsense, "psychology of the individual" solutions. Wodehouse is nimble, nuanced, and both smilingly and laugh-out-loud funny.

This is a good, but somewhat disappointing (by the very elevated Wodehousian standards) work. For one thing, Wodehouse's humorous devices are somewhat redundant, centered too often around Wooster's difficulties with words and phrases. Wodehouse dips into this well just a little too often: "Ceasing to expostulate then, if expostulate is the word I want," and "What's the word I've heard you use from time to time--begins with eu?" "Euphoria, sir." While perhaps a minor complaint, Wodehouse's vitality and invention are somewhat enervated by this reliance on linguistic stumbling.

The plot involves (as usual) fiancees on the brink, Wooster accused of pilfering, and assorted foolish/nasty characters gathered at his Aunt Dahlia's house. This time around, the butlers'club journal (in which the butlers record the less commendable actions of their employers) is stolen by one of its members with a mind for political blackmail. A wonderful engine for a story, but I thought Wodehouse lost some opportunities in not exposing any of the club book's contents, and paying just fleet attention to an apparently uproarious political debate. It's true that Wodehouse is a master of understated humor, but I've read other books in which he better exploited an episode's comic possibilities.

Still, Wodehouse is always a treat: "she guffawed more liberally than I had ever heard . . . If there had been an aisle, she would have rolled in it," and "He . . . gave the impression, as Esmond did, of being able, if he cared to, to fell an ox with a single blow. I don't know if he had ever actually done this, for one so seldom meets an ox . . . " Wodehouse's nuanced humor and farcical elements are always enjoyable, especially in Wooster's scenes with Jeeves and with his aunt. I just think that the initiate might better begin with a different, perhaps more humorous "Jeeves" book, such as the excellent "Code of the Woosters." I hope you'll give P.G. Wodehouse, "the Master," as he is known by his many fans, a try, you'll be very pleased indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Good, But Not Quite Up to Snuff
Review: I first discovered P.G. Wodehouse through his mostly-true autobiography, "Bring on the Girls," in which he adroitly recalls his theater days with Guy Bolton and Jerome Kern. But Wodehouse is most famous for his "Jeeves" books, featuring the wise and unflappable butler who extricates Bertram "Bertie" Wooster from all manner of ridiculous conundrums. The wonder of these farces is that Wooster himself narrates the story, presumably unaware of his foolish prattling and numerous faux pas. In the Jeeves books, Wodehouse manages to write similar plots that are soothingly familiar and yet still ingenious. Wodehouse typically sets the bumblings and posturing of the "social betters" against Jeeves' clever, no-nonsense, "psychology of the individual" solutions. Wodehouse is nimble, nuanced, and both smilingly and laugh-out-loud funny.

This is a good, but somewhat disappointing (by the very elevated Wodehousian standards) work. For one thing, Wodehouse's humorous devices are somewhat redundant, centered too often around Wooster's difficulties with words and phrases. Wodehouse dips into this well just a little too often: "Ceasing to expostulate then, if expostulate is the word I want," and "What's the word I've heard you use from time to time--begins with eu?" "Euphoria, sir." While perhaps a minor complaint, Wodehouse's vitality and invention are somewhat enervated by this reliance on linguistic stumbling.

The plot involves (as usual) fiancees on the brink, Wooster accused of pilfering, and assorted foolish/nasty characters gathered at his Aunt Dahlia's house. This time around, the butlers'club journal (in which the butlers record the less commendable actions of their employers) is stolen by one of its members with a mind for political blackmail. A wonderful engine for a story, but I thought Wodehouse lost some opportunities in not exposing any of the club book's contents, and paying just fleet attention to an apparently uproarious political debate. It's true that Wodehouse is a master of understated humor, but I've read other books in which he better exploited an episode's comic possibilities.

Still, Wodehouse is always a treat: "she guffawed more liberally than I had ever heard . . . If there had been an aisle, she would have rolled in it," and "He . . . gave the impression, as Esmond did, of being able, if he cared to, to fell an ox with a single blow. I don't know if he had ever actually done this, for one so seldom meets an ox . . . " Wodehouse's nuanced humor and farcical elements are always enjoyable, especially in Wooster's scenes with Jeeves and with his aunt. I just think that the initiate might better begin with a different, perhaps more humorous "Jeeves" book, such as the excellent "Code of the Woosters." I hope you'll give P.G. Wodehouse, "the Master," as he is known by his many fans, a try, you'll be very pleased indeed.

Rating:
Summary: Wheels within Wheels within Wheels: Right Ho!
Review: It would be a mistake to read Jeeves & the Tie that Binds without being fully familiar with the earlier books about Jeeves and Bertie Wooster. This story follows hard on the heels of the action in Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves, which in turn is a sequel as well. Without having enjoyed the two earlier books, I fear that this one will seem a little pale . . . because it relies on knowing the context for igniting fully humorous explosions of uncontrolled guffaws and side-splitting laughter.

Jeeves & the Tie That Binds also has the charm of looking behind the scenes to reveal a little more about Jeeves and his fellow butlers and gentlemen's gentlemen who belong to the Junior Ganymede club that keeps the top secret book about the foibles of those they serve . . . so they can avoid taking on someone who will be most unsuitable as an employer. Bertie's been worried about that book for years, despite having benefited from many of Jeeves's shared confidences about the book.

On the surface, the call to arms is a simple enough one. Aunt Dahlia, whose table is made resplendent by the redoubtable Anatole, wants Bertie to come to Market Snodsbury (don't you love that name?) to help his old Oxford friend, Harold (Ginger) Winship, run for office as an M.P. Bertie soon has matters all fouled up, as usual, when he makes his first campaign call on Ginger's opponent.

But Ginger has more serious problems, he's engaged to Florence Craye, the woman who keeps threatening to marry Bertie. Florence loves to improve her men, which is why Ginger is running for office. Fail to be elected, and he knows he will get the old heave-ho.

Bertie soon falls afoul of his mistaken reputation as a thief, and worse risks soon threaten him. Unfortunately, the latest person to suspect Bertie is the man he's supposed to charm into giving lots of money to his old friend, Tuppy Glossop.

Life gets even more challenging when it turns out that the secret book contains scandalous doings by Ginger that would scotch his efforts to become elected. Then Florence would have her eye on Bertie again . . . not to mention that Madeline Bassett is also seeking Bertie's hand in marriage.

Matters become so difficult that Bertie takes in on the lam, leaving matters in Jeeves's capable hands.

As usual, a major point in the book's favor is the frequent use of original metaphors, similes and comparisons. Here's one of my favorites by Aunt Dahlia: "Why are you staring at me like a halibut on a fishmonger's table?"

Hew to the old feudal spirit!

Rating:
Summary: Jeeves and the Tie that Binds
Review: Previous: Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves

This book, while the plot is on par with the rest (and follows basically the same formula), is sub-average in the writing, and therefore not as good as the rest. There are some very charming and funny moments-Bertie's pondering how Bingley (the re-christened Brinkley from Thank You, Jeeves) managed to do so well is truly hilarious. Notable in this book is Jeeves saving Bertie's life (not just saving his neck as he normally does) and subsequently bringing him into the revered Junior Ganymede Club-the exact opposite of Bertie's Drones Club-for a restorative drink, where we make the astonishing discovery that Jeeves has a first name. The astonishments continue when we discover that the sacred Ganymede Club Book has been stolen for nefarious purposes. Bertie is faced with two horrifying prospects this time-Madeline Bassett on one side, and Florence Craye on the other, and it will take some doing for Jeeves to get him out of the soup, and retrieve the sacred book as well. While not as well-written as the rest, the ending is utterly charming and, if I might go so far, heartwarming.

One thing, though-I first checked this book out of the library under the name Much Obliged, Jeeves, and I would SWEAR the ending was slightly different than the copy I purchased under the name Jeeves and the Tie that Binds. (Wodehouse scholars-help??)

Next: The Cat-Nappers (Aunts Aren't Gentlemen)

Rating:
Summary: Jeeves & Bertie #12
Review: Previous: Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves

This book, while the plot is on par with the rest (and follows basically the same formula), is sub-average in the writing, and therefore not as good as the rest. There are some very charming and funny moments-Bertie's pondering how Bingley (the re-christened Brinkley from Thank You, Jeeves) managed to do so well is truly hilarious. Notable in this book is Jeeves saving Bertie's life (not just saving his neck as he normally does) and subsequently bringing him into the revered Junior Ganymede Club-the exact opposite of Bertie's Drones Club-for a restorative drink, where we make the astonishing discovery that Jeeves has a first name. The astonishments continue when we discover that the sacred Ganymede Club Book has been stolen for nefarious purposes. Bertie is faced with two horrifying prospects this time-Madeline Bassett on one side, and Florence Craye on the other, and it will take some doing for Jeeves to get him out of the soup, and retrieve the sacred book as well. While not as well-written as the rest, the ending is utterly charming and, if I might go so far, heartwarming.

One thing, though-I first checked this book out of the library under the name Much Obliged, Jeeves, and I would SWEAR the ending was slightly different than the copy I purchased under the name Jeeves and the Tie that Binds. (Wodehouse scholars-help??)

Next: The Cat-Nappers (Aunts Aren't Gentlemen)

Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff¿But Not the Best Jeeves and Wooster
Review: The Jeeves and Wooster books generally follow the same template: the young, wealthy airhead Wooster or one of his upper-crust pals gets in some sticky social situation, and it is up to his genius butler Jeeves to devise an ingenious solution to the quandary. Often the stories involve some manner of deception, misunderstanding, or often, mistaken identity-and sometimes, Jeeves' scheme backfires, resulting in even greater hilarity (although as with every comic tale, all is set right by the end). The books can fairly be compared to contemporary TV sitcoms, as they to reply on recurring (often over the top) characters, a rarefied setting, a single type of humor, and recurring situations. Simply put, if you like one Wooster tale (and don't get sick of them), you're going to like them all. Much of this can be explained by Wodehouse's mastery of the language and constant deft turns of phrase, period slang, and comic timing.

This entry in the canon (a direct sequel to Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves) is a little disappointing in comparison to others, mainly because for once, Wodehouse overuses some of his gags. Throughout the story, Wooster fumbles for words and phrases, a device which quickly loses any of its scant charm. Similarly, Jeeves' erudition is overdisplayed, as quotes from Shakespeare, Burns, Worthsworth, and numerous Romans are crammed in-as are Biblical references and Wooster's reminiscing about winning a school prize for Old Testament knowledge. Still, the story of a local election, a purloined silver pot, the missing journal of the Junior Ganneymeade Club, Spode, and various ladies eager to marry Bertie, all set amidst Aunt Dahlia's mansion, is sure to please what Wodehouse refers to as "the old sweats."

Those who deride the shallow subject matter and milieu of the Jeeves and Wooster series need to recall the context in which these stories appeared. Only a few years removed from the horrors of World War I-an event that is never alluded to in the series, despite the loss of an entire generation of British young men-the stories can be viewed as a bandage of sorts, an attempt to transport the reader to a world far removed from the traumatic recovery from the Great War. Not to mention Wodehouse's clear depiction of the upper classes as wastrels and idiots of the highest order when compared to the street savvy of the servants (as exemplified by Jeeves). Of course, one doesn't read Wodehouse for social commentary or as a salve these days, but for his dry wit and keen command of the written word.