Reviews

Reggie is an Earl who looks like a gorilla, but soft at heart. He is sent to the US by his aunt to bring back his cousin Eggy who is in Hollywood and has got engaged to a commoner there. During his journey across America, Reggy falls in love with a delicate actress named April June. In Hollywood, Reggie discovers that his cousin has engaged to Ann, who is his old flame!

Things start to get complicated when Reggie goes to a dentist to have his teeth extracted. When under the influence of gas, his soul gets exchanged with that of Joel Cooley, a Hollywood child star who is also at the dentist. Now, with the body of Cooley, Reggie finds himself beset with the former's troubles and also needs to keep in touch with June. He soon discovers that June's love for him is just for his wealth and also that he still loves Ann. The threads tie together cleanly and all ends well.

The book is filled with the trademark Wodehouse humor. Also, this was interesting since it was a non-Jeeves story. Laughing Gas is a fast paced humorous read with zero dull moments.

kura2ninja's review

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

paging_snidget's review against another edition

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3.0

Very funny. The first Wodehouse I have read. Will definitely seek out more.

dancarey_404's review against another edition

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2.0

The plot was what ultimately stood between this tale and a higher rating. I read Wodehouse primarily for the sparkling prose narration. In that sense, the book did not disappoint. And the portrait of early-30s Hollywood was also interesting. But ultimately, the story became a little too preposterous and too many of the characters unlikeable. Give me a Jeeves and Wooster tale over this, any day.

dodecaphonic's review against another edition

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3.0

Very silly, very witty, occasionally quite funny. I didn't find it as hilarious as some of his other books, but the whole concept of everyone wanting to find the ear of some Hollywood executive (and the turns that takes) gave rise to a few good chuckles.

katemarguerite's review against another edition

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3.0

I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as others I've read from P.G. Wodehouse, but I had a couple of good chuckles. This is a good quick read if you feel like a laugh.

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