A review by rbharath
Cocktail Time by P.G. Wodehouse

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

I returned to a P.G. Wodehouse after a gap of many years. I know what to expect in his novels and this did not disappoint! 

Uncle Fred (Lord Ickenham) hears about how a guy used a catapult to shoot brazil nuts at others. He decides to have a go himself and he has a clean shot – taking off the hat of Raymond Bastable (Beefy). Lord Ickenham expresses his sympathies with Beefy, without revealing he is the culprit, having a merry laugh. He suggests an episode such as this could find a place in a book, though of course, Beefy is not the writing type. Beefy, quite unexpectedly authors a book ‘Cocktail Time’ under a pseudonym which becomes a hit. Since he has political aspirations, he does not want to claim authorship, and at Lord Ickenham’s suggestion, attempts to shift the authorship to Cosmo Wisdom. But a lot more is to follow with some people trying to make some money out of the situation. 

The brilliance of the language, whacky humour and loveable characters are all there. The last sections did not have much to look forward to though.