You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Another fun collection of short stories. These are early stories and the first story of Jeeves and Wooster. Both of those characters would grow and develop later on. I quite enjoyed it.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The first appearance in print of Bertie Wooster and Jeeves is in this collection—other than that, nothing really noteworthy in here, except a couple of stories written from the point of view of a dog (whose name is the N-word, which just really killed the vibe of the whole thing for me).
Not the Wodehouse you're used to, this is an early set of stories with but one Wooster/Jeeves tale among them. The rest, while decent, are not terribly humorous and some border on depressing. They seem to serve a bit as character studies for some of the cavalcade of supporting actors in a Wooster/Jeeves tale. There are a couple of good stories and some characters you wouldn't mind seeing more of (Miss Roxborough and Officer Plimmer come to mind), but if you're looking for Jeeves, keep searching.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This collection of short stories provides some background into some of the other books by Wodehouse (My Man Jeeves, etc etc) so I read this one first. I really enjoyed many of these stories, like "At Geisenheimer's"
The 'dilemma' with Gussie was hilariously resolved and gave the background information about why our MC remained in New York avoiding his aunt for a while.
Would recommend!
The 'dilemma' with Gussie was hilariously resolved and gave the background information about why our MC remained in New York avoiding his aunt for a while.
Would recommend!
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Modern readers beware of some of the language of the times. Whether it’s the author’s or the characters’ remarks, either way, certain lines mar an otherwise delightful read. Pretty passages and mirthful content abound.
Early Wodehouse, before he had hit his stride. Mostly set in New York, the stories include only one Jeeves and Wooster tale and seem more dated than most of Wodehouse. They include some racial epithets no doubt unfortunately common in their day (1917 and before). Overall, the stories were at best mildly amusing and did not set me rolling about as later Wodehouse reliably does.
All the trademark wit and charm of Wodehouse appears in this early collection of his short stories. Also has the first appearance of Wooster and Jeeves.
My full review:
https://daariga.wordpress.com/2015/02/22/the-man-with-two-left-feet/
My full review:
https://daariga.wordpress.com/2015/02/22/the-man-with-two-left-feet/
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Have been a Wodehouse fan forever but hadn’t read him in a very long time and have by no means read everything he’s written.
I’ve decided to read his books in order of publication starting this month. Will read the Jeeves & Wooster series first and then the Blandings series, with the standalones interspersed in between. Should be a hoot 😄 This one certainly was!
The Man With Two Left Feet, published initially in 1917 is a collection of thirteen short stories. My favourites were Extricating Young Gussie, in which both Jeeves and Bertie make their first appearance - although Jeeves has just one line. The formidable Aunt Agatha is in attendance as she pushes poor incompetent Bertie into a hopeless undertaking that he has little chance of sorting! A precursor of things to come 😄 Another favourite was The Mixer Parts I & II written from a dog’s point of view - cleverly written and of course funny!
Some of the stories weren’t ‘Wodehouse’ funny though! Sea of Troubles being my least favourite. I suppose he was still developing the humour that would have the world in splits more than a century later, but the makings of his classic humour are very much in evidence. What I love most about his writing apart from that inimitable sense of with and humour, is his choice of names, his clever use of language and the way he uses it to freshen up similar plots and give them a new spin! He distinguishes similar characters from each other with a few cleverly worded lines of dialogue and/or personality quirks! I love how economical he is with his prose and how no word seems superfluous! His ability to make every occasion hilarious is legendary and long may it prosper!
A decently humourous read and a solid start to my ‘Wodehouse Project’ 😄
Also 👍🏼👍🏼 to the Everyman Editions which are the ones I’m reading and intend to collect. I love their whimsical cover art and their handy size!
I’ve decided to read his books in order of publication starting this month. Will read the Jeeves & Wooster series first and then the Blandings series, with the standalones interspersed in between. Should be a hoot 😄 This one certainly was!
The Man With Two Left Feet, published initially in 1917 is a collection of thirteen short stories. My favourites were Extricating Young Gussie, in which both Jeeves and Bertie make their first appearance - although Jeeves has just one line. The formidable Aunt Agatha is in attendance as she pushes poor incompetent Bertie into a hopeless undertaking that he has little chance of sorting! A precursor of things to come 😄 Another favourite was The Mixer Parts I & II written from a dog’s point of view - cleverly written and of course funny!
Some of the stories weren’t ‘Wodehouse’ funny though! Sea of Troubles being my least favourite. I suppose he was still developing the humour that would have the world in splits more than a century later, but the makings of his classic humour are very much in evidence. What I love most about his writing apart from that inimitable sense of with and humour, is his choice of names, his clever use of language and the way he uses it to freshen up similar plots and give them a new spin! He distinguishes similar characters from each other with a few cleverly worded lines of dialogue and/or personality quirks! I love how economical he is with his prose and how no word seems superfluous! His ability to make every occasion hilarious is legendary and long may it prosper!
A decently humourous read and a solid start to my ‘Wodehouse Project’ 😄
Also 👍🏼👍🏼 to the Everyman Editions which are the ones I’m reading and intend to collect. I love their whimsical cover art and their handy size!