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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
P. G. Wodehouse is one of those authors I always intended to read, and never got around to… until recently. When The Code of the Woosters (often considered one of Wodehouse’s best) went on sale at Chirp just when I was in the mood for a light and humorous audiobook, I decided it was finally time.
The Code of the Woosters is classic Wodehouse humor. The book is written from the perspective of Bertram (“Bertie”) Wooster, a somewhat fatuous 1920s-era upperclass Englishman with a remarkable talent for getting entangled in one awkward situation after another, and insufficient wit for getting himself out of them again. Luckily for Bertie, his valet-cum-butler Jeeves possesses quite enough brains enough for the both of them. And those brains are needed, as Bertie finds himself entangled in a series of madcap schemes involving a silver cow-shaped creamer, two pairs of star-crossed lovers, a hapless policeman, a bully, a fanatical collector (who is also a magistrate as well as father and uncle to the two young ladies involved), and Bertie’s own formidable Aunt. It will take all of Jeeves’s ingenuity and sang-froid to keep his master from ending up either engaged or in jail.
Wodehouse does a remarkable job of building both tension and laughs, expertly conveying the comedy of each situation without ever breaking the narrative “voice,” even when Bertie (as the first-person narrator) is unaware of the humor himself. His characters are, to be sure, caricatures, but so marvelously done that they are amusing in and of themselves, and anything deeper would be out place. And Jonathan Cecil’s reading is both pitch perfect and laugh-out-loud funny; I found myself snort-laughing more than once while listening. (Thankfully no-one was around except my husband, who is used to hearing my occasional exclamations or laughter when I’m deep in a book.)
I thoroughly enjoyed my introduction to the Jeeves and Wooster novels, and look forward to reading or listening to more of them in the future.
4 stars for the story, 4.5 stars for the narration
For further thoughts, particularly on the similarites between Wooster and Wimsey, Jeeves and Bunter, see the post on The Bookwyrm's Hoard blog.
The Code of the Woosters is classic Wodehouse humor. The book is written from the perspective of Bertram (“Bertie”) Wooster, a somewhat fatuous 1920s-era upperclass Englishman with a remarkable talent for getting entangled in one awkward situation after another, and insufficient wit for getting himself out of them again. Luckily for Bertie, his valet-cum-butler Jeeves possesses quite enough brains enough for the both of them. And those brains are needed, as Bertie finds himself entangled in a series of madcap schemes involving a silver cow-shaped creamer, two pairs of star-crossed lovers, a hapless policeman, a bully, a fanatical collector (who is also a magistrate as well as father and uncle to the two young ladies involved), and Bertie’s own formidable Aunt. It will take all of Jeeves’s ingenuity and sang-froid to keep his master from ending up either engaged or in jail.
Wodehouse does a remarkable job of building both tension and laughs, expertly conveying the comedy of each situation without ever breaking the narrative “voice,” even when Bertie (as the first-person narrator) is unaware of the humor himself. His characters are, to be sure, caricatures, but so marvelously done that they are amusing in and of themselves, and anything deeper would be out place. And Jonathan Cecil’s reading is both pitch perfect and laugh-out-loud funny; I found myself snort-laughing more than once while listening. (Thankfully no-one was around except my husband, who is used to hearing my occasional exclamations or laughter when I’m deep in a book.)
I thoroughly enjoyed my introduction to the Jeeves and Wooster novels, and look forward to reading or listening to more of them in the future.
4 stars for the story, 4.5 stars for the narration
For further thoughts, particularly on the similarites between Wooster and Wimsey, Jeeves and Bunter, see the post on The Bookwyrm's Hoard blog.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Not necessarily my style, but I can still appreciate how brilliant it is. I think I have more Wodehouse in my future.
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
Can't believe this is my first P.G. Wodehouse! Hilarious, totally random and entirely British comedy. This was a great page turner!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
This isn't the book that's been taking me a million years to read but I needed a break from people going mad for a bit and this is what I chose as a bit of light relief. Just as much fun as the first Jeeves and Wooster book I read a few weeks ago but populated with alarmingly similar characters by different names. Not a problem, just not quite how I expected it to be. There's so much that's funny and original in it that the reused elements really stand out.
This is going to be on "one of my all-time favorite books" list! The humor (or "humour" I should say) is exquisite and the social commentary is brilliant. Also, for the those of us that knew AskJeeves.com before it lost it's famed valet, it is an awesome insight into what inspired the search engine's name. Plus, the writing is absolutely so english that your inner voice speaks in a british accent! It was an awesome ride and I cannot wait to pick out a few more crazy adventures with Bertram and Jeeves.
Shamefully, I've never read P.G. Wodehouse. This was a fantastic introduction to his work.
I have always heard that Jeeves & Wooster tales we uproariously funny - and I found myself laughing at the relently comedy in this book. It was a farcical tale - yet Wodehouse has created vibrant characters, who you enjoy laughing with (or indeed, 'at').
The pacing is fantastic - and considering the whole plot is centred around stealing a cow creamer, the book moves at relently pace! There are several plot threads that Wodehouse ingeniously interweaves - all connecting together in a comedy of errors.
The sardonic Jeeves is also a perfect foil to the upper class nonsense around him. Wodehouse simultaneously mocks the class Wooster represents, whilst also creating characters you want to know more about. A genius piece of comedy.
I have always heard that Jeeves & Wooster tales we uproariously funny - and I found myself laughing at the relently comedy in this book. It was a farcical tale - yet Wodehouse has created vibrant characters, who you enjoy laughing with (or indeed, 'at').
The pacing is fantastic - and considering the whole plot is centred around stealing a cow creamer, the book moves at relently pace! There are several plot threads that Wodehouse ingeniously interweaves - all connecting together in a comedy of errors.
The sardonic Jeeves is also a perfect foil to the upper class nonsense around him. Wodehouse simultaneously mocks the class Wooster represents, whilst also creating characters you want to know more about. A genius piece of comedy.