I revisited Jeeves and the Wedding Bells after coming across a fine example of epistolary fanfiction in which Bertie enlists in the army and exchanges letters with Jeeves, with Aunt Agatha and then war separating the two. Jeeves and Wooster is the only kind of fanfiction I read, for there are only so many times one can re-read the original novels and short stories. Fanfiction is acceptable as a homage to the author whose mastery of the English language remains unparalleled, though it is exceptionally brave of writers both established and new, to attempt to copy the master's voice in their own work. If I had a penny for each time I came across overt or inspired imitations of Sir Plum's prose in other novels (some by bestselling authors) or short stories in literary journals and magazines, it would probably make up three or four quid at the very least.

When this novel authorised by the Wodehouse literary estate came out in 2013, I had picked it up with much interest, but was unable to finish it then, because the voices of the main characters did not ring true to the original voices the master had bestowed upon them. Perhaps one expects a lot from an official pastiche, but Bertie's voice, despite using the same slang of the 1920s and the old familiar expressions in the canon, somehow ends up sounding like a parody that makes it painful to continue reading, especially when it tries to evoke the sublime cadence of the original but does not get it quite right.

Meanwhile, a small fandom continues to pen fanfiction on Jeeves and Wooster for the pure joy of mimicking the master's voice and imagining new stories set in the delightful world of Wodehouse. Most fanfiction remains just that, but a select few explore the nuances of the dynamics between the two main characters, the childlike Wooster and the Machiavellian Jeeves who is devoted to his 'mentally negligible' employer, beyond the canon. These stories look deeper into Wooster's life and his interactions with family and friends, and lay bare how no one in his circle really cares for him though they do not hesitate to take advantage of him. The fandom delves deeper into the wealthy orphan Bertie's feelings about his life, despite the way he remains big-hearted and kind to the friends and family who use him, and brings in new shades of character development through themes of angst, hurt, comfort, and connection that he finds through the one who is closest to him, his own valet.

Hence it is interesting but not surprising to note that a majority of the fandom ships Jeeves and Wooster as a couple, which on reading between the lines of the canon novels seems a likely possibility. To cite a few observations, Jeeves is a member of the 'Ganymede club', the name Ganymede often being an allusion to gay love. The way Jeeves serenades Wooster with quotes from Shakespeare when the two come across each other in a garden at night in 'Joy in the Morning'. The conversation between Jeeves and Wooster in the last pages of 'Jeeves and the tie that binds' which implies that the duo will be together for life.
Also in the same book, Madeline Bassett asks, 'Bertie, are you going straight now?', to which Bertie's response is 'I laughed one of those gay debonair ones.' Despite the fact that Madeline's question ostensibly referred to Bertie's penchant for stealing policemen's helmets, it feels sweet to imagine that between the above lines in the canon, Sir Plum had discretely blessed the two beloved characters with a happily ever after.

Some of the fandom also expands on their connection on a platonic note, with Wooster being the heart and Jeeves the mind of the adorable two. Either way, some of the fan stories add to the pure joy of walking a little deeper into the wonderful world of Wodehouse. Sadly, this novel, despite being an authorised addition, feels rather disconnected from that cosy little world.