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Jeeves #8
Joy in the Morning
Bertie Wooster is trapped in the rural community of Steeple Bumpleigh with a strange assortment of characters. The biggest blot on the social landscape is Edwin the boy scout whose acts of kindness are akin to sheer malevolence.
1 pages, Audiobook
First published January 1, 1947
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About the author
P.G. Wodehouse
1,680 books6,926 followersSir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE, was a comic writer who enjoyed enormous popular success during a career of more than seventy years and continues to be widely read over 40 years after his death. Despite the political and social upheavals that occurred during his life, much of which was spent in France and the United States, Wodehouse's main canvas remained that of prewar English upper-class society, reflecting his birth, education, and youthful writing career.
An acknowledged master of English prose, Wodehouse has been admired both by contemporaries such as Hilaire Belloc, Evelyn Waugh and Rudyard Kipling and by more recent writers such as Douglas Adams, Salman Rushdie and Terry Pratchett. Sean O'Casey famously called him "English literature's performing flea", a description that Wodehouse used as the title of a collection of his letters to a friend, Bill Townend.
Best known today for the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels and short stories, Wodehouse was also a talented playwright and lyricist who was part author and writer of fifteen plays and of 250 lyrics for some thirty musical comedies. He worked with Cole Porter on the musical Anything Goes (1934) and frequently collaborated with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton. He wrote the lyrics for the hit song Bill in Kern's Show Boat (1927), wrote the lyrics for the Gershwin/Romberg musical Rosalie (1928), and collaborated with Rudolf Friml on a musical version of The Three Musketeers (1928).
An acknowledged master of English prose, Wodehouse has been admired both by contemporaries such as Hilaire Belloc, Evelyn Waugh and Rudyard Kipling and by more recent writers such as Douglas Adams, Salman Rushdie and Terry Pratchett. Sean O'Casey famously called him "English literature's performing flea", a description that Wodehouse used as the title of a collection of his letters to a friend, Bill Townend.
Best known today for the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels and short stories, Wodehouse was also a talented playwright and lyricist who was part author and writer of fifteen plays and of 250 lyrics for some thirty musical comedies. He worked with Cole Porter on the musical Anything Goes (1934) and frequently collaborated with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton. He wrote the lyrics for the hit song Bill in Kern's Show Boat (1927), wrote the lyrics for the Gershwin/Romberg musical Rosalie (1928), and collaborated with Rudolf Friml on a musical version of The Three Musketeers (1928).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,133 reviews
September 24, 2019
Bertie, ( Mr.Bertram Wooster, if you please) the victim is enjoying quiet days in his London flat, a man about town but not for long though, trouble appears above the not far horizons always does he can smell it, a strong odor too. Informed by his brilliant butler Jeeves, ( a quality our friend lacks sadly) the magnificent that Zenobia the delightful, a charming sweet girl, just twenty of age with a horrible nickname ...can you imagine ...and I'm not joking ..is called
Nobby Hopwood , his uncle Percy's ward. She had paid an unexpected visit with some bad news nevertheless , in the morning while he snoozed...rested. His long time widowed Aunt Agatha's the fearsome, new husband is Lord Worplesdon the terrible, an intimidating shipping magnate. She needs help, ( I mean Nobby) a romance is not going smoothly with her fiance, Boko Fittleworth the nitwit, a very successful young English playwright but still a fathead who is despised by Uncle Percy, Nobby needs her guardian's permission to marry... Uncle Percy wants some advise from Jeeves, a delicate business meeting in secret, has to be arraigned and only Jeeves can accomplish this. After finding out that Aunt Agatha is only passing through to take care of a sick boy, with mumps a relative Bertie begins to feel better, that too will inevitably evaporates soon. He will not go to Steeple Bumpleigh, where his aunt lives, and his ex -fiancee Florence also, yikes...Lord Worplesdon daughter, her little brother Edwin the demon, a practicing boy scout, that terrorizes the whole neighborhood, simply thinking about the place gives Mr.Wooster the shakes. The clever Jeeves loves fishing in the Steeple Bumpleigh's river and will not give up the idea, poor Bertie hasn't a chance. Bertram is a nice fellow and to soften his butler's disappointment, asks him if he wants a small gift yes a book, the works of the philosopher Spinoza. Arriving at the bookstore, he encounters Florence Craye, the pushy, an awkward situation, even more he had picked up an unknown novel, (written by Florence!) waiting to see if they the store, had Spinoza (of course not) Miss Craye, his former fiancee is flattered and signs the book... not asked. Looks at him in a different way, could he be smarter than he seems ...loves the Dutch philosopher, says Mr. Wooster, not very truthfully. Why ? Bertie likes to make people happy. Leaving as fast as good manners allows, he next sees another of his old school friends, P. D'Arcy "Stilton" Cheesewright, the huge, ( a noble name) nervously entering a jewelry shop. Later discovering that he is the new fiance of Florence, there have been many others. Force by circumstances, the very reluctant, Bertie, trembling... travels to the picturesque village in the calm countryside, Aunt Agatha is not home but the deluge commences immediately, Stilton is the local jealous, policeman, the last person on Earth he wants here, is you guessed it...Bertie ... Another very amusing book from the lives of Bertie and Jeeves, two men who will always be friends one gets into complications, the other gets him out of them...
Nobby Hopwood , his uncle Percy's ward. She had paid an unexpected visit with some bad news nevertheless , in the morning while he snoozed...rested. His long time widowed Aunt Agatha's the fearsome, new husband is Lord Worplesdon the terrible, an intimidating shipping magnate. She needs help, ( I mean Nobby) a romance is not going smoothly with her fiance, Boko Fittleworth the nitwit, a very successful young English playwright but still a fathead who is despised by Uncle Percy, Nobby needs her guardian's permission to marry... Uncle Percy wants some advise from Jeeves, a delicate business meeting in secret, has to be arraigned and only Jeeves can accomplish this. After finding out that Aunt Agatha is only passing through to take care of a sick boy, with mumps a relative Bertie begins to feel better, that too will inevitably evaporates soon. He will not go to Steeple Bumpleigh, where his aunt lives, and his ex -fiancee Florence also, yikes...Lord Worplesdon daughter, her little brother Edwin the demon, a practicing boy scout, that terrorizes the whole neighborhood, simply thinking about the place gives Mr.Wooster the shakes. The clever Jeeves loves fishing in the Steeple Bumpleigh's river and will not give up the idea, poor Bertie hasn't a chance. Bertram is a nice fellow and to soften his butler's disappointment, asks him if he wants a small gift yes a book, the works of the philosopher Spinoza. Arriving at the bookstore, he encounters Florence Craye, the pushy, an awkward situation, even more he had picked up an unknown novel, (written by Florence!) waiting to see if they the store, had Spinoza (of course not) Miss Craye, his former fiancee is flattered and signs the book... not asked. Looks at him in a different way, could he be smarter than he seems ...loves the Dutch philosopher, says Mr. Wooster, not very truthfully. Why ? Bertie likes to make people happy. Leaving as fast as good manners allows, he next sees another of his old school friends, P. D'Arcy "Stilton" Cheesewright, the huge, ( a noble name) nervously entering a jewelry shop. Later discovering that he is the new fiance of Florence, there have been many others. Force by circumstances, the very reluctant, Bertie, trembling... travels to the picturesque village in the calm countryside, Aunt Agatha is not home but the deluge commences immediately, Stilton is the local jealous, policeman, the last person on Earth he wants here, is you guessed it...Bertie ... Another very amusing book from the lives of Bertie and Jeeves, two men who will always be friends one gets into complications, the other gets him out of them...
July 1, 2024
They only get better each reading!
July 28, 2019
Reread update review in the 2019:
Still topnotch Wodehousing here, in my opinion! And my opinion holds a little more weight on the subject now than it did when I first read this back in 2008. I loved it then and still do, yet it was one of the very first PG Wodehouse books I'd digested. Ten years have past during which about 40 Wodehouses have been swallowed up by these old grey cells. That's roughly half of what this prolific wordsmith put out in his lifetime. I feel like I'm on fairly steady ground here in saying that Joy/Jeeves in the Morning is indeed topnotch!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Review circa 2008
Jeeves in the Morning, aka Joy in the Morning is the stuff to give the troops! It's one of my all-time favorites in the Jeeves/Wooster line, as penned by the prolific and long-lived P.G. Wodehouse.
It includes a heap load more tales of woe for Bertie Wooster to get into and his butler Jeeves to get him out of. Also appearing is one of the best non-appearing characters, J. Chichester Clam. The poor fellow is saddled with a ridiculous name and is put through his paces in this story without even getting to say word one. I don't want to give away much more of the story, just know that the usual suspects show up for this precisely-plotted, tightly-wound, hilarious start-to-finish rollick.
Jeeves in the Morning is not completely dissimilar to other books in the series...All right, it's quite similar. You see, Wodehouse developed a winning formula and stuck with it. Reading his books is like watching a rerun of a beloved old sitcom: you can anticipate all the jokes, but you laugh anyway. It's not only the mad-capped, slap-stick shenanigans, but rather the author's wit that has you coming back for more of the same.
I read the books first, then watched the tv series (with Stephen Frye and Hugh Laurie) based on the books.
Though it's good, I didn't enjoy the show as much and wasn't sure why. But now that I've gone back and reread one of the books, it all makes sense. The key is the narration. The Jeeves/Wooster series is written as if Wooster is the narrator and as a narrator he is hilarious. Removing that element, as the tv series did, removed half the hilarity. Read the books and get a full dose of the funny!
Still topnotch Wodehousing here, in my opinion! And my opinion holds a little more weight on the subject now than it did when I first read this back in 2008. I loved it then and still do, yet it was one of the very first PG Wodehouse books I'd digested. Ten years have past during which about 40 Wodehouses have been swallowed up by these old grey cells. That's roughly half of what this prolific wordsmith put out in his lifetime. I feel like I'm on fairly steady ground here in saying that Joy/Jeeves in the Morning is indeed topnotch!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Review circa 2008
Jeeves in the Morning, aka Joy in the Morning is the stuff to give the troops! It's one of my all-time favorites in the Jeeves/Wooster line, as penned by the prolific and long-lived P.G. Wodehouse.
It includes a heap load more tales of woe for Bertie Wooster to get into and his butler Jeeves to get him out of. Also appearing is one of the best non-appearing characters, J. Chichester Clam. The poor fellow is saddled with a ridiculous name and is put through his paces in this story without even getting to say word one. I don't want to give away much more of the story, just know that the usual suspects show up for this precisely-plotted, tightly-wound, hilarious start-to-finish rollick.
Jeeves in the Morning is not completely dissimilar to other books in the series...All right, it's quite similar. You see, Wodehouse developed a winning formula and stuck with it. Reading his books is like watching a rerun of a beloved old sitcom: you can anticipate all the jokes, but you laugh anyway. It's not only the mad-capped, slap-stick shenanigans, but rather the author's wit that has you coming back for more of the same.
I read the books first, then watched the tv series (with Stephen Frye and Hugh Laurie) based on the books.
Though it's good, I didn't enjoy the show as much and wasn't sure why. But now that I've gone back and reread one of the books, it all makes sense. The key is the narration. The Jeeves/Wooster series is written as if Wooster is the narrator and as a narrator he is hilarious. Removing that element, as the tv series did, removed half the hilarity. Read the books and get a full dose of the funny!
May 17, 2023
The more Jeeves and Wooster that I read, the more I realize that most of the plots are quite similar.
Or at least, they share the same similar formula.
But that's not a bad thing.
It's like the old adage says: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
So in this one, Bertie once again goes somewhere he doesn't want to go -this time because Jeeves wants to fish. Then he gets terrorized by relatives, friends, crazy women, and small children. Lots of nutty things happened and I laughed quite a bit.
Yeah, it's the same old same old, but it's good stuff.
Or at least, they share the same similar formula.
But that's not a bad thing.
It's like the old adage says: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
So in this one, Bertie once again goes somewhere he doesn't want to go -this time because Jeeves wants to fish. Then he gets terrorized by relatives, friends, crazy women, and small children. Lots of nutty things happened and I laughed quite a bit.
Yeah, it's the same old same old, but it's good stuff.
April 28, 2008
The other day, as I was walking along the beach in the frightfully early morning - when both man and beast ought quite to be tucking the old blankets under the pointy end of the old bean - there was a rather fit young lady putting quite some stride into her step not a few yards ahead of me.
Unfortunately, I had just gotten up to the part of the story at which Bertie is discoursing with Boko concerning the nature of women and to what extent one can rely on what they say when they are cross with one. I’d have thought I was made of sterner stuff, but in a manner lacking in all control, I began blubbering foolishly, headphones attached to my cabbage-like ears no unlike I was wearing pair of snow muffs. As she turned to look at me rather fiercely, I waved my hands around to assure the young lady I wasn’t laughing at anything she was doing. Given she was merely walking along the strand why she should imagine I would be laughing with quite so much vigour at her expense should not have presented itself as a possibility in the least, certainly, it ought not to have been the first impression to form itself, wax-like, in her mind. All the same, my occasional gales and peals remained very much a solo effort and she looked in no hurry to form a duet.
The problem was that Bertie had just inquired as to how Boko was sure Nobby (his fiancé) had decided to end their engagement when Boko said something to the effect that he could not see another construction to be put on her statement that, “She did not want to ever see him again in this world or the next”. Bertie’s elegant explanation of the workings of the female mind in these moments was a sheer delight and worth reading the entire book purely for this marvellous piece of logic alone.
The only damn thing worse than the embarrassment of listening to Wodehouse whilst on my early morning constitutional and thereby laughing out-loud within earshot of a member of the fair sex, would be to feel constrained to turn the flipping thing off altogether and thereby be forced to walk along in silence. There is nothing for it. The very idea gives me the heebie-jeebies.
The allusions to literature throughout that are just that little off-course – the constant quibbles about Shakespeare being more concerned with something sounding nice to him than it making sense – and the slaps given to ‘writers’ are one and each a source of much merriment and mirth.
There are few joys in life finer than a good farce and in the hands of Wodehouse, well, what can one say? If there is any truth in the idea that laughter has curative powers and you feel yourself in need of a refreshing tonic of laughter - then this is the book for you.
Unfortunately, I had just gotten up to the part of the story at which Bertie is discoursing with Boko concerning the nature of women and to what extent one can rely on what they say when they are cross with one. I’d have thought I was made of sterner stuff, but in a manner lacking in all control, I began blubbering foolishly, headphones attached to my cabbage-like ears no unlike I was wearing pair of snow muffs. As she turned to look at me rather fiercely, I waved my hands around to assure the young lady I wasn’t laughing at anything she was doing. Given she was merely walking along the strand why she should imagine I would be laughing with quite so much vigour at her expense should not have presented itself as a possibility in the least, certainly, it ought not to have been the first impression to form itself, wax-like, in her mind. All the same, my occasional gales and peals remained very much a solo effort and she looked in no hurry to form a duet.
The problem was that Bertie had just inquired as to how Boko was sure Nobby (his fiancé) had decided to end their engagement when Boko said something to the effect that he could not see another construction to be put on her statement that, “She did not want to ever see him again in this world or the next”. Bertie’s elegant explanation of the workings of the female mind in these moments was a sheer delight and worth reading the entire book purely for this marvellous piece of logic alone.
The only damn thing worse than the embarrassment of listening to Wodehouse whilst on my early morning constitutional and thereby laughing out-loud within earshot of a member of the fair sex, would be to feel constrained to turn the flipping thing off altogether and thereby be forced to walk along in silence. There is nothing for it. The very idea gives me the heebie-jeebies.
The allusions to literature throughout that are just that little off-course – the constant quibbles about Shakespeare being more concerned with something sounding nice to him than it making sense – and the slaps given to ‘writers’ are one and each a source of much merriment and mirth.
There are few joys in life finer than a good farce and in the hands of Wodehouse, well, what can one say? If there is any truth in the idea that laughter has curative powers and you feel yourself in need of a refreshing tonic of laughter - then this is the book for you.
April 11, 2012
The 2012 re-read:
Bertie Wooster, with Jeeves in tow, is dragooned into visiting Steeple Bumpleigh, home of Aunt Agatha and her husband, Lord Worplesdon. Bertie soon walks into a web of broken engagements, arson, and delightfully horrible misunderstandings, including an engagement to Florence Craye. Can Jeeves extricate Wooster from what will be known as The Steeple Bumpleigh Horror?
Of course he can. See how Jeeves' head bulges out in the back? That's where his extra brain power comes from.
This book is a great example of how Wodehouse mines rich veins of comedic gold from the same old formula in almost every book. Nobby Hopwood, Worplesdon's ward, is engaged to Bertie's friend Boko Fiddleworth. Stilton Cheesewright, the local constable and an old classmate of Bertie's, is betrothed to Bertie's former fiancee Florence Craye. Lord Worplesdon is in the process of a merger between his shipping company and that of J. Chichester Clam, an American shipping magnate. Throw in a boyscout named Edwin whose hash everyone is dying to see settled and there you are. All the pieces are in place and Bertie is tossed into the mix. You know everything will turn out okay but it's a lot of fun getting there.
As always, Wodehouse weaves a web of wit along the way to the happy resolution. I'm partial to “When a girl uses six derogatory adjectives in her attempt to paint the portrait of the loved one, it means something. One may indicate a merely temporary tiff. Six is big stuff.” and “It is true of course, that I have a will of iron, but it can be switched off if the circumstances seem to demand it.”
Any complaints? Only that this was a re-read and I wasn't experiencing this comedic gem for the first time. While I didn't remember every wrinkle of the story, I did remember most of the pivotal ones. Still, you can't go wrong with Jeeves when you want some dry wit.
Bertie Wooster, with Jeeves in tow, is dragooned into visiting Steeple Bumpleigh, home of Aunt Agatha and her husband, Lord Worplesdon. Bertie soon walks into a web of broken engagements, arson, and delightfully horrible misunderstandings, including an engagement to Florence Craye. Can Jeeves extricate Wooster from what will be known as The Steeple Bumpleigh Horror?
Of course he can. See how Jeeves' head bulges out in the back? That's where his extra brain power comes from.
This book is a great example of how Wodehouse mines rich veins of comedic gold from the same old formula in almost every book. Nobby Hopwood, Worplesdon's ward, is engaged to Bertie's friend Boko Fiddleworth. Stilton Cheesewright, the local constable and an old classmate of Bertie's, is betrothed to Bertie's former fiancee Florence Craye. Lord Worplesdon is in the process of a merger between his shipping company and that of J. Chichester Clam, an American shipping magnate. Throw in a boyscout named Edwin whose hash everyone is dying to see settled and there you are. All the pieces are in place and Bertie is tossed into the mix. You know everything will turn out okay but it's a lot of fun getting there.
As always, Wodehouse weaves a web of wit along the way to the happy resolution. I'm partial to “When a girl uses six derogatory adjectives in her attempt to paint the portrait of the loved one, it means something. One may indicate a merely temporary tiff. Six is big stuff.” and “It is true of course, that I have a will of iron, but it can be switched off if the circumstances seem to demand it.”
Any complaints? Only that this was a re-read and I wasn't experiencing this comedic gem for the first time. While I didn't remember every wrinkle of the story, I did remember most of the pivotal ones. Still, you can't go wrong with Jeeves when you want some dry wit.
November 23, 2025
__________________________
A great book if you are in the hospital.
The above statement is true, and I ought to know. I am currently recovering from surgery to remove a kidney stone so large that it could have been carved into a full-sized replica of the Mt. Rushmore monument with room left over to add William Howard Taft. I was supposed to spend one night in the hospital after the surgery but was in great pain and the doctors were giving me enough opioids to single-handedly raise Purdue Pharma stock by 30%. Then on the 3rd day of my 1 day stay, some gorillas surprised me by wheeling a gurney into my room and informing me that the doctors had determined that a drainage tube from my kidney to my back was broken inside my body and we were all going back to the OR to try again. They didn’t even give me time to call my wife: they just threw me on the gurney and wheeled me away. It turned out OK, though. They said they were confident that everything was going to be fine, that all of the incriminating evidence had been removed, and that no one would ever be able to determine who caused the issue.
The above history is completely true, as far as you can prove. The last sentence may have been slightly influenced by anesthetic hallucination, but it is just as reliable as any statement coming out of Department of Health and Human Services over the last year. My point for relating this story, of course, was to explain why Joy in the Morning was Joy in the Hospital.
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” — Psalm 30:5
I had to lie still on my left side for 4 days to avoid awakening the pain monster. The TV was behind me—thank God— and I had my trusty Kindle with this wonderful Bertie and Jeeves book loaded (or maybe it was me who was loaded—like Bertie, my old bean was “definitely not functioning on all twelve cylinders at the time”). Fortunately, Bertie kept me company and provided balm for my ills, even though I couldn’t read more than a few pages at a time.
“We need Joy as we need air.”— Maya Angelou
If you are familiar with Bertie and Jeeves, you probably know the basic Wodehouse plot for the series. In this one, Bertie’s Aunt Agatha—who Bertie often describes as the aunt from hell, a “fiend in human shape” or “the one who chews broken bottles and kills rats with her teeth” has a plot of her own. She insists that Bertie deliver an expensive birthday present to a woman that Bertie absolutely detests, a frightful woman who fancies herself an intellectual and who has a history of trying to improve Bertie. The birthday girl decides that Bertie is proposing marriage to her. Poor Bertie. He has no desire to be improved.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars You should read it. A hospital stay is not required. Do not operate heavy machinery while reading this book.
A great book if you are in the hospital.
The above statement is true, and I ought to know. I am currently recovering from surgery to remove a kidney stone so large that it could have been carved into a full-sized replica of the Mt. Rushmore monument with room left over to add William Howard Taft. I was supposed to spend one night in the hospital after the surgery but was in great pain and the doctors were giving me enough opioids to single-handedly raise Purdue Pharma stock by 30%. Then on the 3rd day of my 1 day stay, some gorillas surprised me by wheeling a gurney into my room and informing me that the doctors had determined that a drainage tube from my kidney to my back was broken inside my body and we were all going back to the OR to try again. They didn’t even give me time to call my wife: they just threw me on the gurney and wheeled me away. It turned out OK, though. They said they were confident that everything was going to be fine, that all of the incriminating evidence had been removed, and that no one would ever be able to determine who caused the issue.
The above history is completely true, as far as you can prove. The last sentence may have been slightly influenced by anesthetic hallucination, but it is just as reliable as any statement coming out of Department of Health and Human Services over the last year. My point for relating this story, of course, was to explain why Joy in the Morning was Joy in the Hospital.
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” — Psalm 30:5
I had to lie still on my left side for 4 days to avoid awakening the pain monster. The TV was behind me—thank God— and I had my trusty Kindle with this wonderful Bertie and Jeeves book loaded (or maybe it was me who was loaded—like Bertie, my old bean was “definitely not functioning on all twelve cylinders at the time”). Fortunately, Bertie kept me company and provided balm for my ills, even though I couldn’t read more than a few pages at a time.
“We need Joy as we need air.”— Maya Angelou
If you are familiar with Bertie and Jeeves, you probably know the basic Wodehouse plot for the series. In this one, Bertie’s Aunt Agatha—who Bertie often describes as the aunt from hell, a “fiend in human shape” or “the one who chews broken bottles and kills rats with her teeth” has a plot of her own. She insists that Bertie deliver an expensive birthday present to a woman that Bertie absolutely detests, a frightful woman who fancies herself an intellectual and who has a history of trying to improve Bertie. The birthday girl decides that Bertie is proposing marriage to her. Poor Bertie. He has no desire to be improved.
🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars You should read it. A hospital stay is not required. Do not operate heavy machinery while reading this book.
June 12, 2025
Another excellent story about the inimitable Bertie Wooster and his butler, Jeeves.
This time he is visiting in Steeple Bumpleigh when he finds himself in all manner of difficulties mostly because he can never just say no. Jeeves meanwhile goes fishing and pops up repeatedly to save Bertie from himself.
I enjoy these books because they illustrate a little pocket of English history long gone, and also because of the author's magnificent prose. His way with words is a delight to behold and his witticisms come so fast it is hard to keep up. Probably not for everyone but I love it.
This time he is visiting in Steeple Bumpleigh when he finds himself in all manner of difficulties mostly because he can never just say no. Jeeves meanwhile goes fishing and pops up repeatedly to save Bertie from himself.
I enjoy these books because they illustrate a little pocket of English history long gone, and also because of the author's magnificent prose. His way with words is a delight to behold and his witticisms come so fast it is hard to keep up. Probably not for everyone but I love it.
December 20, 2018
This is a PG Wodehouse classic with absolutely crazy sub-plots and whacky dialogue! It is Bertie Wooster again with his enterprising butler Jeeves.
Bertie was once engaged to Florence Craye and she finds him at a bookshop holding her book. This causes her to be overjoyed and see Bertie in a good light again. Lord Percy looks to Jeeves for advise to conduct a business meeting in discretion. Jeeves proposes Bertie rent a cottage Wee Nook which is in close proximity to Bumleigh Hall where Florence and her father Lord Percy & his Aunt Agatha stay. Bertie lands up at Wee Nook hoping to earn to good name from Lord Percy. He also finds out that Florence is now engaged to Stilton Cheesewright who is not exactly happy after hearing of Bertie’s past engagement. There are also Nobby and Bertie’s friend George Fittleworth wanting to be married, in the mix of things, to add to the crowd of madness.
There are various crazy sub-plots to follow including one in which Bertie is to insult Lord Percy with Nobby to emerge as the saviour. Florence and Stilton quarrel, and she declares her intent to get engaged to Bertie again. There is a fancy dress party ball with lots of confusion, and then all sorts of mix-ups.
Joy in the morning is sure to deliver smiles and laughs at any time of the day! Among his best books!
Bertie was once engaged to Florence Craye and she finds him at a bookshop holding her book. This causes her to be overjoyed and see Bertie in a good light again. Lord Percy looks to Jeeves for advise to conduct a business meeting in discretion. Jeeves proposes Bertie rent a cottage Wee Nook which is in close proximity to Bumleigh Hall where Florence and her father Lord Percy & his Aunt Agatha stay. Bertie lands up at Wee Nook hoping to earn to good name from Lord Percy. He also finds out that Florence is now engaged to Stilton Cheesewright who is not exactly happy after hearing of Bertie’s past engagement. There are also Nobby and Bertie’s friend George Fittleworth wanting to be married, in the mix of things, to add to the crowd of madness.
There are various crazy sub-plots to follow including one in which Bertie is to insult Lord Percy with Nobby to emerge as the saviour. Florence and Stilton quarrel, and she declares her intent to get engaged to Bertie again. There is a fancy dress party ball with lots of confusion, and then all sorts of mix-ups.
Joy in the morning is sure to deliver smiles and laughs at any time of the day! Among his best books!
October 14, 2016
I think this is considered to be the most "complete" book written by Wodehouse. He wrote it while under detention by Germans during WW 2, and had plenty of time to fine-tune it.
That it is a comic gem is no question. Here, Bertie is on run from the beautiful,bossy and intellectual Florence Craye, who wants to "mould" him: and her fiance Stilton Cheesewright, who wants to "mould" Bertie in quite another fashion for stealing his sweetheart. Add to this the fact that he is forced to stay in the house of his "bad" aunt Agatha (who chews on broken bottles and turns into a werewolf at the time of the full moon) - Bertie's plate of woe is complete.
Only Jeeves can resolve all issues and bring joy in the morning.
That it is a comic gem is no question. Here, Bertie is on run from the beautiful,bossy and intellectual Florence Craye, who wants to "mould" him: and her fiance Stilton Cheesewright, who wants to "mould" Bertie in quite another fashion for stealing his sweetheart. Add to this the fact that he is forced to stay in the house of his "bad" aunt Agatha (who chews on broken bottles and turns into a werewolf at the time of the full moon) - Bertie's plate of woe is complete.
Only Jeeves can resolve all issues and bring joy in the morning.
September 11, 2020
Bertie Wooster again faces the unwelcome attentions of Florence Craye,his former fiance,who wants to mould him.Her current fiance,Stilton Cheesewright,regards Bertie as a snake in the grass.
Aunt Agatha's step son and Florence Craye's brother,Edwin the boy scout is up to some nefarious tricks.Meanwhile,Zenobia Hopwood and Boko Fittleworth find it difficult to unite because her guardian is not favourably disposed towards Boko.
But I did not enjoy it.It is never a good sign when one keeps wondering how much of the book is still left.
But if this was a disappointing effort,there are extenuating circumstances.Wodehouse was being detained by the Germans during World War II,when the book was written.
Thought of giving it one star,but eventually settled for 1.5 stars,rounded up.
Aunt Agatha's step son and Florence Craye's brother,Edwin the boy scout is up to some nefarious tricks.Meanwhile,Zenobia Hopwood and Boko Fittleworth find it difficult to unite because her guardian is not favourably disposed towards Boko.
But I did not enjoy it.It is never a good sign when one keeps wondering how much of the book is still left.
But if this was a disappointing effort,there are extenuating circumstances.Wodehouse was being detained by the Germans during World War II,when the book was written.
Thought of giving it one star,but eventually settled for 1.5 stars,rounded up.
October 17, 2021
Wodehouse never fails to delight. He is my choice for the DWS October birthday selection and I am pleased. Bertie, being unable to stand up for himself effectively, is forever becoming engaged to strong minded young women, outraging senior relatives, and offending his former schoolmates. Happily, in this novel, Jeeves doesn't have to rescue him from every problem, although he does provide the background support and encourages the well-timed escape.
As usual, Wodehouse writes like a dream, beautiful sentences which describe hilarious situations with ridiculous vocabulary. At least that's my posish, and I'm sticking to it. I love that Bertie is never too proud to make a fool of himself or to flee a bad situation.
I must branch out, one of these days, and try some of Wodehouse's non-Jeeves literature. Perhaps next October.
As usual, Wodehouse writes like a dream, beautiful sentences which describe hilarious situations with ridiculous vocabulary. At least that's my posish, and I'm sticking to it. I love that Bertie is never too proud to make a fool of himself or to flee a bad situation.
I must branch out, one of these days, and try some of Wodehouse's non-Jeeves literature. Perhaps next October.
March 8, 2019
The first question is whether this is Great Literature. We already know it's pleasant to read, and very funny. But here it is showing up as one of the Guardian's Top 100 Novels, like, ever, and can it really survive being taken that seriously?
The second question is Wodehouse, whose reputation has been tarnished by a series of radio broadcasts he made from Berlin during WWII after spending nearly a year as a prisoner of war, having been interned in France while he was working on this very novel. He returned to it after the war, and we're probably safe to assume that its title is a reference to his experience: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Here's an excellent piece on exactly what he was so vilified for; the author weighs the evidence and pronounces him more of a "frightful ass" than a "filthy traitor." Here are the actual transcripts from his addresses; I read the first one, which seems harmless in itself but one can see how having this idiot blithely telling jokes when people have been dying by the millions might have stuck in a few craws.
Now that we've dealt with Nazis, back to the first question, and this frankly isn't even the best of the other Wodehouse books I've read, and there's only one of those. Wodehouse at his best is a writer of puzzles, like Agatha Christie or Isaac Asimov. Bertie Wooster gets himself in what appears to be a hopeless predicament; Jeeves gets him out of it. That's the whole show. The predicament is less carefully crafted here and the solution is less clever; it feels like a reunion tour with a band who's resigned to playing the old hits.
It's all still pleasant enough. The puzzle is really a skeleton on which to hang Wodehouse's true gift, which is saying preposterous things. Above all else, Wodehouse is a writer of dialogue, and his novels are nearly 100% talking. "Get to the dialogue as soon as possible," is Wodehouse's own advice to writers. Even when an actual conversation isn't happening, the story is still told by Bertie Wooster, who's so chatty that it comes to the same thing.
But no, it is not one of the top 100 novels ever written. And I confess to a certain exhaustion when faced with yet another book about terrible idle rich drunk British people, which make up about 80% of the Western Canon as it was defined back in the olden days by mostly terrible idle rich drunk British people; I tried to keep in mind that Wodehouse is the inventor of a certain kind of terrible rich idle drunk British person, and this must have seemed fresh at the time, or at least somewhat fresh at some time, but really who cares? It's now and this is all a bit tired. I like these books, I do, they're fun to read. I don't mind that Wodehouse was a frightful ass; so is Bertie Wooster, and that's funny. But I suggest we quit trying to canonize them. As Bertie says of Shakespeare: "Sounds well, but doesn't mean anything." Right then.
The second question is Wodehouse, whose reputation has been tarnished by a series of radio broadcasts he made from Berlin during WWII after spending nearly a year as a prisoner of war, having been interned in France while he was working on this very novel. He returned to it after the war, and we're probably safe to assume that its title is a reference to his experience: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Here's an excellent piece on exactly what he was so vilified for; the author weighs the evidence and pronounces him more of a "frightful ass" than a "filthy traitor." Here are the actual transcripts from his addresses; I read the first one, which seems harmless in itself but one can see how having this idiot blithely telling jokes when people have been dying by the millions might have stuck in a few craws.
Now that we've dealt with Nazis, back to the first question, and this frankly isn't even the best of the other Wodehouse books I've read, and there's only one of those. Wodehouse at his best is a writer of puzzles, like Agatha Christie or Isaac Asimov. Bertie Wooster gets himself in what appears to be a hopeless predicament; Jeeves gets him out of it. That's the whole show. The predicament is less carefully crafted here and the solution is less clever; it feels like a reunion tour with a band who's resigned to playing the old hits.
It's all still pleasant enough. The puzzle is really a skeleton on which to hang Wodehouse's true gift, which is saying preposterous things. Above all else, Wodehouse is a writer of dialogue, and his novels are nearly 100% talking. "Get to the dialogue as soon as possible," is Wodehouse's own advice to writers. Even when an actual conversation isn't happening, the story is still told by Bertie Wooster, who's so chatty that it comes to the same thing.
But no, it is not one of the top 100 novels ever written. And I confess to a certain exhaustion when faced with yet another book about terrible idle rich drunk British people, which make up about 80% of the Western Canon as it was defined back in the olden days by mostly terrible idle rich drunk British people; I tried to keep in mind that Wodehouse is the inventor of a certain kind of terrible rich idle drunk British person, and this must have seemed fresh at the time, or at least somewhat fresh at some time, but really who cares? It's now and this is all a bit tired. I like these books, I do, they're fun to read. I don't mind that Wodehouse was a frightful ass; so is Bertie Wooster, and that's funny. But I suggest we quit trying to canonize them. As Bertie says of Shakespeare: "Sounds well, but doesn't mean anything." Right then.
Read
April 1, 2025A Jeeves and Wooster novel is definitely a comfort read, and as usual with Wodehouse novels, this was a fun book, perfect to read after finishing some "heavier" stuff.
His stories, based on the ridicule of the stereotypes of English high society at the beginning of the 20th century, with comical settings and superficial characters that become a caricature of a world incomprehensible to the common mortal, are relevant today as when they were created.
His literary style is not one of deep psychological analysis or complex human issues, but of escapism, through satire, from these concerns.
There is a nostalgia for a time and a place that never existed except in the imagination of the one who created them, and those who read about them, but to which we can escape, if only in our heads.
Wodehouse's style is to recreate a comforting world of humor and simplicity, his novels are "light reading" in the best sense.
To truly appreciate Wodehouse, one must set aside reality and, like Alice, chase the white rabbit. However, once we dive into that hole, we find ourselves in a world crafted by his unparalleled writing skills—a world that brings us joy and contemplation.
Joy in the Morning is an apotheosis of Wodehouse's comic situations, such as a one-sided wedding project for a more than reluctant groom, a charming country house chimney cleaned with gun powder, tutorial Victorian drama and injustice, a late-night improbable hilarious meeting, mad-cap plans and schemes that never work, and so on and on... The naive humor shines happily through the entire book.
The names of the characters and places alone are a playground for Wodehouse's humour, with their subtle or hidden meanings.
I tried to find out what the author was hinting at (if anything...), and for that, I used the EDD Online 4.0 (English Dialect Dictionary). If I made the correct interpretation among the several offered by the origin and meaning of the words used, I can't say. To be sure, only picking Wodehouse's brain, something that is impossible. Someone with a master's in English language, please don't hesitate to correct me.
For what is worthy and fun, here is what I found:
Wee Nooke (a cottage) = "very small secluded corner" - How can one live in a hidden corner? How do you hide a corner?
Nooby Hopwood (a character) = "first-rate bouncing wood" - I never imagined that bouncing wood could be rated!
Stilton Cheesewright (a character) = "blue cheese artisan" - Why? because he had the blues? What do you have to look like to be compared to a Penicillium roqueforti?
Chichester Clam (a character) = "Saxon bivalve" - Just ROFL...
Boko Fittleworth (a character) = "the valuable nose" - Too much Gogol in Wodehouse's mind? Thinking of searching for truffles?
Steeple Bumpleigh (a place) = "pasture's buttocks prison" - Don't even think it! It's pornography...
Bertie Wooster (a character) = "Bertram lover believer" - What the... a new religion? Woodehouse invented the hippies?
Catsmeat Potter Pirbright (a character) = "belittling ineffectual catfood" - How can someone look (and taste?) like deprecating catfood?
And I will not even start with his mastery of malapropisms; I'll just let an example:
A cossack, I knew, was one of those things clergymen wear, and I wondered why she thought Stilton was like one. An inquiry into this would have been fraught with interest, but before I could institute it, she had continued.....
Here, the wordplay works with Cossack and cassock.
I can only imagine the difficulty of translating Wodehouse's English into another language, due to the combination of slang terms and allusions that Wodehouse employs. I tried to past into Portuguese a few sentences, and I don't think it works in the same way; a lot of the subtleties are lost. Yes, I know: don't ask an amateur to do the work of a qualified and skillful pro...
To sum up: the "Jeeves & Wooster" have, like all long series, a lot of high points and a few of average "height", but they never failed to distract and amuse the reader.
PS:
As a curiosity, the "Jeeves and Wooster" original comedy television series features the amazing actors Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Hugh Laurie (I'm sure everyone remembers Dr House) as Bertie Wooster.
His stories, based on the ridicule of the stereotypes of English high society at the beginning of the 20th century, with comical settings and superficial characters that become a caricature of a world incomprehensible to the common mortal, are relevant today as when they were created.
His literary style is not one of deep psychological analysis or complex human issues, but of escapism, through satire, from these concerns.
There is a nostalgia for a time and a place that never existed except in the imagination of the one who created them, and those who read about them, but to which we can escape, if only in our heads.
Wodehouse's style is to recreate a comforting world of humor and simplicity, his novels are "light reading" in the best sense.
To truly appreciate Wodehouse, one must set aside reality and, like Alice, chase the white rabbit. However, once we dive into that hole, we find ourselves in a world crafted by his unparalleled writing skills—a world that brings us joy and contemplation.
Joy in the Morning is an apotheosis of Wodehouse's comic situations, such as a one-sided wedding project for a more than reluctant groom, a charming country house chimney cleaned with gun powder, tutorial Victorian drama and injustice, a late-night improbable hilarious meeting, mad-cap plans and schemes that never work, and so on and on... The naive humor shines happily through the entire book.
The names of the characters and places alone are a playground for Wodehouse's humour, with their subtle or hidden meanings.
I tried to find out what the author was hinting at (if anything...), and for that, I used the EDD Online 4.0 (English Dialect Dictionary). If I made the correct interpretation among the several offered by the origin and meaning of the words used, I can't say. To be sure, only picking Wodehouse's brain, something that is impossible. Someone with a master's in English language, please don't hesitate to correct me.
For what is worthy and fun, here is what I found:
Wee Nooke (a cottage) = "very small secluded corner" - How can one live in a hidden corner? How do you hide a corner?
Nooby Hopwood (a character) = "first-rate bouncing wood" - I never imagined that bouncing wood could be rated!
Stilton Cheesewright (a character) = "blue cheese artisan" - Why? because he had the blues? What do you have to look like to be compared to a Penicillium roqueforti?
Chichester Clam (a character) = "Saxon bivalve" - Just ROFL...
Boko Fittleworth (a character) = "the valuable nose" - Too much Gogol in Wodehouse's mind? Thinking of searching for truffles?
Steeple Bumpleigh (a place) = "pasture's buttocks prison" - Don't even think it! It's pornography...
Bertie Wooster (a character) = "Bertram lover believer" - What the... a new religion? Woodehouse invented the hippies?
Catsmeat Potter Pirbright (a character) = "belittling ineffectual catfood" - How can someone look (and taste?) like deprecating catfood?
And I will not even start with his mastery of malapropisms; I'll just let an example:
A cossack, I knew, was one of those things clergymen wear, and I wondered why she thought Stilton was like one. An inquiry into this would have been fraught with interest, but before I could institute it, she had continued.....
Here, the wordplay works with Cossack and cassock.
I can only imagine the difficulty of translating Wodehouse's English into another language, due to the combination of slang terms and allusions that Wodehouse employs. I tried to past into Portuguese a few sentences, and I don't think it works in the same way; a lot of the subtleties are lost. Yes, I know: don't ask an amateur to do the work of a qualified and skillful pro...
To sum up: the "Jeeves & Wooster" have, like all long series, a lot of high points and a few of average "height", but they never failed to distract and amuse the reader.
PS:
As a curiosity, the "Jeeves and Wooster" original comedy television series features the amazing actors Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Hugh Laurie (I'm sure everyone remembers Dr House) as Bertie Wooster.
July 18, 2025
Hard to go wrong with Wodehouse, you're basically guaranteed one laugh-out-loud moment per book
April 2, 2010
Before I tell you how great these books are, I have a complaint (no not a Monty Python skit).
Several of the Jeeves and Wooster canon were apparently published under "alternate" titles here in the good ol' US of A. Which, is frustrating me as I seek out more volumes to whet the appetite for comic humor and make the old bean happy. Case in point: this little gem was originally titled (and read my m'self) as, "Joy in the Morning".
Now, I can fathom why the American publisher might substitute "Jeeves" for "Joy". Considering that they probably had a strong selling series on their hands and wanted to ensure that the reading public connected the dots and bought the book it make sense. But it is dashed difficult to know beforehand that this book you are just starting is the same as another you read. Takes all the wind out of ones sails you might say.
Enough grousing about that. Good book, funny book, and has most of the elements that we love and cherish in the tales of our bachelor duo. But it leaves out some of the "spark" that had Bertie contesting wills (in a minor way) with Jeeves over matters of sartorial selection. Of course Bertie always capitulates (usually in payment for a deed that Jeeves has done, but just the mechanics of him dragging in his heels over a fabric weave or sock colors is part of the allure.
Yes, it seems that as the tales went on Bertie grew to understand (and even assert it in his commentaries) that Jeeves is infallible in matters of dress and decor. But one wishes for a bit of the Bertie rearing up on hind legs and having to suffer a "cold shoulder" from Jeeves for much of the book. Still, you can't have everything - where would you put it?
Get this book, read it, and have a jolly good time doing so!
Several of the Jeeves and Wooster canon were apparently published under "alternate" titles here in the good ol' US of A. Which, is frustrating me as I seek out more volumes to whet the appetite for comic humor and make the old bean happy. Case in point: this little gem was originally titled (and read my m'self) as, "Joy in the Morning".
Now, I can fathom why the American publisher might substitute "Jeeves" for "Joy". Considering that they probably had a strong selling series on their hands and wanted to ensure that the reading public connected the dots and bought the book it make sense. But it is dashed difficult to know beforehand that this book you are just starting is the same as another you read. Takes all the wind out of ones sails you might say.
Enough grousing about that. Good book, funny book, and has most of the elements that we love and cherish in the tales of our bachelor duo. But it leaves out some of the "spark" that had Bertie contesting wills (in a minor way) with Jeeves over matters of sartorial selection. Of course Bertie always capitulates (usually in payment for a deed that Jeeves has done, but just the mechanics of him dragging in his heels over a fabric weave or sock colors is part of the allure.
Yes, it seems that as the tales went on Bertie grew to understand (and even assert it in his commentaries) that Jeeves is infallible in matters of dress and decor. But one wishes for a bit of the Bertie rearing up on hind legs and having to suffer a "cold shoulder" from Jeeves for much of the book. Still, you can't have everything - where would you put it?
Get this book, read it, and have a jolly good time doing so!
April 17, 2012
"An unfortunate concatenation of circumstances" puts Bertie Wooster once again "in the soup" re marriage proposals (with Lady Florence Craye this time) and he requires the sharp mind of the faithfull Jeeves to extricate self and to aid a couple of young eggs into the bargain ( the accident prone Boko Fiddleworth and the perky Zenobia Nobby Hopgood) . Apparently, the bean functions better on a diet of fish (it's the phosphorus, you know) and the idyllic location of Steeple Bumbleigh provides good fishing ground for Jeeves. The cast of characters is completed by Bertie's choleric uncle: the shipping magnate, Lord Worlpesdon, his son Edwin - an eager and accident prone Boy Scout and, of course, the village policeman Stilton Cheesewright... I just love the names and nicknames Wodehouse invents .
While Joy in the Morning is not exactly my favorite Wodehouse book, it was highly entertaining and a really fast read - the best way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon, knowing the sun will eventually shine both in my neck of the woods and in the Wooster fortunes. So, until we meet again :
tiddly-om-pom-pom. fill your glasses and don't spare the vitriol
While Joy in the Morning is not exactly my favorite Wodehouse book, it was highly entertaining and a really fast read - the best way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon, knowing the sun will eventually shine both in my neck of the woods and in the Wooster fortunes. So, until we meet again :
tiddly-om-pom-pom. fill your glasses and don't spare the vitriol
July 8, 2022
My first Jeeves and Wooster novel :0)
I’m always amazed at how Wodehouse succeeds in entertaining us by showing us a social world that doesn’t exist anymore. Somehow, his colourful characters, all larger than life, are still believable. Add to this witty dialogue, amazing scene staging, and some pretty impressive juggling of convoluted plot threads, and you have a hilarious comedy. I went for the audiobook version read by Stephen Fry - yep, priceless :0)
I’m always amazed at how Wodehouse succeeds in entertaining us by showing us a social world that doesn’t exist anymore. Somehow, his colourful characters, all larger than life, are still believable. Add to this witty dialogue, amazing scene staging, and some pretty impressive juggling of convoluted plot threads, and you have a hilarious comedy. I went for the audiobook version read by Stephen Fry - yep, priceless :0)
August 4, 2023
Bertie Wooster is obliged to rent a cottage in the village of Steeple Bumpleigh, just so he can play host to his Uncle Percy (shipping tycoon husband of the formidable Aunt Agatha) - since Uncle Percy needs a secluded, away-from-the-paparazzi site for a crucial business meeting with an American counterpart with whom he wishes to seal a deal. Simple enough, but not when you throw into the mix the frightening Florence Craye, ex-fiancée of Bertie, now betrothed to Bertie's old schoolmate, Stilton Cheesewright. And threatening to hand Stilton the ring back and hook up again with a terrified-at-the-prospect Bertie. There's also Uncle Percy's ward, Zenobia 'Nobby' Hopwood, who wants to marry Bertie's chum Boko Fittleworth, but needs a very reluctant Uncle Percy's permission for it. As if all that isn't enough, there's Uncle Percy's Boy Scout son, Edwin, going about doing good deeds that make him a public menace.
On the other hand, there's Jeeves.
An utterly delightful, joyful novel. There's all the confusion, the madness, the whacky characters one would expect of a Wodehouse novel. The twists and turns, the crazy coincidences, the totally outlandish solutions various people think up when Jeeves draws a blank (actually, even the outlandish, if effective, solutions Jeeves thinks up)… brilliantly entertaining, and with never a dull moment.
And, there's Wodehouse's inimitable prose, the sort of similes only he can think up: He looked like a man who, stooping to pluck a nosegay of wild flowers on a railway line, is struck in the small of the back by the Cornish Express.
Highly recommended.
On the other hand, there's Jeeves.
An utterly delightful, joyful novel. There's all the confusion, the madness, the whacky characters one would expect of a Wodehouse novel. The twists and turns, the crazy coincidences, the totally outlandish solutions various people think up when Jeeves draws a blank (actually, even the outlandish, if effective, solutions Jeeves thinks up)… brilliantly entertaining, and with never a dull moment.
And, there's Wodehouse's inimitable prose, the sort of similes only he can think up: He looked like a man who, stooping to pluck a nosegay of wild flowers on a railway line, is struck in the small of the back by the Cornish Express.
Highly recommended.
April 4, 2009
Yesterday morning, I was reading this while standing on the subway platform full of sleepy workers waiting for the train. A random passerby with his ipod plugged in walked by and shouted
"Jeeves! Awesome!"
"Jeeves! Awesome!"
Want to read
May 30, 2024The Guardian ranked this is the #66 of the 100 best novels written in English: https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...
June 2, 2008
This was my first Wodehouse (apparently pronounced “Woodhouse”). Since the guy published over ninety books during his lifetime, I just randomly picked one off of my library’s shelves. I must say that I picked pretty well. Joy in the Morning is part of the Wooster and Jeeves saga. Jeeves, Wooster’s butler, has apparently become the standard for stereotypical butlers. It was nice to meet the original.
Bertie Wooster is manipulated into visiting Steeple Bumpleigh to help out his Uncle Percy, who once chased him around for a mile brandishing a riding crop. Mishaps and setbacks follow upon disasters and misunderstandings. Jeeves is ever clever and ever relied on for solutions to the plethora of problems. While Jeeves is the brains of the outfit, Wooster is definitely the actions. Wooster, the innocent dupe, is called upon to perform unpleasant task after unpleasant task in the service of his relatives and friends. Comedy, of course, ensues and, in the end, all ends well.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience. It was don’t-drink-milk-whilst-reading-this hilarious. I read it in a restaurant at lunch and laughed out loud. (Great for my public image.) All of the names in the book were hilarious and perfect: Steeple Bumpliegh, Boko Fiddleworth, Percy Lord Worplesdon. One of the best characters was Edwin, a ten-year-old boy scout who had a “kink in his psychology which made him such a menace to society.” The writing is clearly informed by great artists. Wooster is always incompletely or incorrectly citing great literature and poetry. Jeeves then fills in the correct quote. This added high brow touch as well as opening up opportunities for comedy what with Wooster constantly belittling Shakespeare. There are also a satisfying number of “Tally hos!” The only disappointing thing about this book (which I feel I must point out however slight) was the minimal character development. However, this is easily overlooked. The wit constantly boils over. I’m happy that this was only one of ninety or so of P.G.’s books. I’ll be picking up another one or ten.
Bertie Wooster is manipulated into visiting Steeple Bumpleigh to help out his Uncle Percy, who once chased him around for a mile brandishing a riding crop. Mishaps and setbacks follow upon disasters and misunderstandings. Jeeves is ever clever and ever relied on for solutions to the plethora of problems. While Jeeves is the brains of the outfit, Wooster is definitely the actions. Wooster, the innocent dupe, is called upon to perform unpleasant task after unpleasant task in the service of his relatives and friends. Comedy, of course, ensues and, in the end, all ends well.
I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this reading experience. It was don’t-drink-milk-whilst-reading-this hilarious. I read it in a restaurant at lunch and laughed out loud. (Great for my public image.) All of the names in the book were hilarious and perfect: Steeple Bumpliegh, Boko Fiddleworth, Percy Lord Worplesdon. One of the best characters was Edwin, a ten-year-old boy scout who had a “kink in his psychology which made him such a menace to society.” The writing is clearly informed by great artists. Wooster is always incompletely or incorrectly citing great literature and poetry. Jeeves then fills in the correct quote. This added high brow touch as well as opening up opportunities for comedy what with Wooster constantly belittling Shakespeare. There are also a satisfying number of “Tally hos!” The only disappointing thing about this book (which I feel I must point out however slight) was the minimal character development. However, this is easily overlooked. The wit constantly boils over. I’m happy that this was only one of ninety or so of P.G.’s books. I’ll be picking up another one or ten.
August 13, 2025
Always fun, always funny!
Wodehouse makes me smile. ...when happy endings had been distributed in heaping handfuls.
I could post quotes from every page, but I won't.
Exactly. If that merger comes off, the milk of human kindness will slosh about in him like the rising tide, swamping all animosity.
I've told this story about my brilliant Latin teacher a multitude of times, but it pleases me to tell it again. We learned the Latin word for chain, catena; our beloved Dr. Fenik said, "Now there is a word derived from catena you should all know. Concatenation. A group of things linked together that produces a particular result."
In my arrogance, I did a mental eyeroll. I was well-read and I had never heard of this. important. word. Concatenation. Schmoncatenation. What.ev.er.
Then the strangest thing happened. I began to see the word concatenation regularly. And now, decades later, I am gleeful and triumphant whenever I spot the old bird out in the wild. Out of Bertie Wooster's mouth!!
"Nobby," I said, "there has been a bit of a mix-up. What's that word that begins with 'con'?
"Con?"
"I've heard Jeeves use it. There's a cat in it somewhere."
"What on earth are you driveling about?"
"Concatenation," I said, getting it. "Owing to an unfortunate concatenation of circumstances, Stilton is viewing me with concern."
Wodehouse makes me smile. ...when happy endings had been distributed in heaping handfuls.
I could post quotes from every page, but I won't.
Exactly. If that merger comes off, the milk of human kindness will slosh about in him like the rising tide, swamping all animosity.
I've told this story about my brilliant Latin teacher a multitude of times, but it pleases me to tell it again. We learned the Latin word for chain, catena; our beloved Dr. Fenik said, "Now there is a word derived from catena you should all know. Concatenation. A group of things linked together that produces a particular result."
In my arrogance, I did a mental eyeroll. I was well-read and I had never heard of this. important. word. Concatenation. Schmoncatenation. What.ev.er.
Then the strangest thing happened. I began to see the word concatenation regularly. And now, decades later, I am gleeful and triumphant whenever I spot the old bird out in the wild. Out of Bertie Wooster's mouth!!
"Nobby," I said, "there has been a bit of a mix-up. What's that word that begins with 'con'?
"Con?"
"I've heard Jeeves use it. There's a cat in it somewhere."
"What on earth are you driveling about?"
"Concatenation," I said, getting it. "Owing to an unfortunate concatenation of circumstances, Stilton is viewing me with concern."
November 5, 2024
Joy in the Morning (1948) zips from one comedic setpiece to another. Whilst none resulted in hearty guffaws and unbridled mirth, there were more than enough smiles and chuckles. I thoroughly enjoyed “The Steeple Bumpleigh Horror”
Marvellous characters including Uncle Percy, Nobby Hopwood, Stilton Cheesewright, Florence Craye, aligned to the usual wonderful writing and amusing misunderstandings, made for another PG masterclass. How does he make this stuff seem so effortless?
And, we get a blazing country cottage; nocturnal confrontations; a fancy-dress ball; and Bertie's bachelor status at risk once again.
All is well in the world of Wodehouse.
Splendid.
5/5
The blurb...
Trapped in rural Steeple Bumpleigh, a man less stalwart than Bertie Wooster would probably give way at the knees.
For among those present were Florence Craye, to whom Bertie had once been engaged and her new fiancé 'Stilton' Cheesewright, who sees Bertie as a snake in the grass. And that biggest blot on the landscape, Edwin the Boy Scout, who is busy doing acts of kindness out of sheer malevolence.
All Bertie's forebodings are fully justified. For in his efforts to oil the wheels of commerce, promote the course of true love and avoid the consequences of a vendetta, he becomes the prey of all and sundry. In fact only Jeeves can save him...
Joy in the Morning (1948) by P.G. Wodehouse
Marvellous characters including Uncle Percy, Nobby Hopwood, Stilton Cheesewright, Florence Craye, aligned to the usual wonderful writing and amusing misunderstandings, made for another PG masterclass. How does he make this stuff seem so effortless?
And, we get a blazing country cottage; nocturnal confrontations; a fancy-dress ball; and Bertie's bachelor status at risk once again.
All is well in the world of Wodehouse.
Splendid.
5/5
The blurb...
Trapped in rural Steeple Bumpleigh, a man less stalwart than Bertie Wooster would probably give way at the knees.
For among those present were Florence Craye, to whom Bertie had once been engaged and her new fiancé 'Stilton' Cheesewright, who sees Bertie as a snake in the grass. And that biggest blot on the landscape, Edwin the Boy Scout, who is busy doing acts of kindness out of sheer malevolence.
All Bertie's forebodings are fully justified. For in his efforts to oil the wheels of commerce, promote the course of true love and avoid the consequences of a vendetta, he becomes the prey of all and sundry. In fact only Jeeves can save him...
Joy in the Morning (1948) by P.G. Wodehouse
May 27, 2022
"There is an expression on my the tip of my tongue which seems to me to sum the whole thing up. Or, rather, when I say an expression, I mean a saying. A wheeze. A gag. What, I believe, is called a saw. Something about Joy doing something."
"Joy cometh in the morning, sir?"
"That's the baby. Not one of your things, is it?"
"No, sir."
"Well, it is dashed good, " I said.
And I think that there can be no neater way of putting in a nutshell the outcome of the super-sticky affair of Nobby Hopwood, Stilton Cheesewright, Florence Craye, my Uncle Percy, J. Chichester Clam, Edwin the Boy Scout and old Boko Fittleworth--or, as my biographers will probably call it, the Steeple Bumpleigh Horror.
It is hard to say it better than Wodehouse himself said it. These are Joy in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon, and all in between. I mean, the stories are all kinda the same, but that writing is just so fluffy and yummy. There is no better pickup than a Jeeves and Wooster story. Just don't read (or listen as I was) too many at the same time because they get repetitive. Or, you can just ignore the story and savor the creativity of the words, the names (Stilton Cheesewright? right ho), or just the sheer genius of expressing something the most circuitous and funny way.
I just love how Jeeves "shimmered out" and the day is "extremely clement". But enough of all this talking. Go and read the book. Or listen - Ian Carmichael's narration is very much in the spirit.
"Well, I am afraid I must be popping," I said. "Most important appointment. Frightfully jolly, seeing you again."
July 28, 2025
Good clean fun, love the period and enjoy the repartee between Bertie and Jeeves.
December 9, 2014
“Most disturbing, sir,” he said.
“Most,” I responded.
I refrained from wounding him with any word of censure and rebuke, but I could not but feel, as I have so frequently felt before, that a spot of leaping about and eyeball rolling would have been more in keeping with the gravity of the situation. If Jeeves has a fault, as I think I have already mentioned, is that he is too prone to merely tut at times when you would prefer to see his knotted and combined locks do a bit of parting.’
The mid-period Jeeves tales really do deserve to be celebrated with a statue somewhere. There are so many boringly named villages in England, maybe one could be re-christened Steeple Bumleigh and we could put a large gold monument to greatness there. Perhaps a static and in control Jeeves, next to a goggling Wooster.
Joyfully we’re off the aforementioned village where we have the fearsome Uncle Percy, Stilton Cheesewright as a country bobby, Edwin the boy-scout from hell, American industrialist Chichester Clam, a Sinbad the sailor suit and the football strip of ‘Borstal Rovers’. Like a musical comedy without songs (or a particularly wild Shakespeare comedy) Wodehouse expertly builds farce and disaster on top of misunderstanding and confusion. This is s delight from start to finish.
Interestingly this was the first book Wodehouse published after the events which befell him in The Second World war. And yet what he went through (the imprisonment, the various misjudgements, the accusations of treachery) do not seem to have made it into the text. In the character of the author, Boko Fittleworth we perhaps see an excuse and explanation for Wodehouses’s own fuzzy headedness (“One has, of course, to make allowances for writers, all of them being more or less loony. Look at Shakespeare, for instance. Very unbalanced. Used to go about stealing ducks.”) – but I might be stretching even for that. What P.G. the man went through was undoubtedly awful (and his own behaviour was not above reproach), but we love Wodehouse the author because nothing in these pages is more serious than the imminent arrival of Aunt Agatha.
“Most,” I responded.
I refrained from wounding him with any word of censure and rebuke, but I could not but feel, as I have so frequently felt before, that a spot of leaping about and eyeball rolling would have been more in keeping with the gravity of the situation. If Jeeves has a fault, as I think I have already mentioned, is that he is too prone to merely tut at times when you would prefer to see his knotted and combined locks do a bit of parting.’
The mid-period Jeeves tales really do deserve to be celebrated with a statue somewhere. There are so many boringly named villages in England, maybe one could be re-christened Steeple Bumleigh and we could put a large gold monument to greatness there. Perhaps a static and in control Jeeves, next to a goggling Wooster.
Joyfully we’re off the aforementioned village where we have the fearsome Uncle Percy, Stilton Cheesewright as a country bobby, Edwin the boy-scout from hell, American industrialist Chichester Clam, a Sinbad the sailor suit and the football strip of ‘Borstal Rovers’. Like a musical comedy without songs (or a particularly wild Shakespeare comedy) Wodehouse expertly builds farce and disaster on top of misunderstanding and confusion. This is s delight from start to finish.
Interestingly this was the first book Wodehouse published after the events which befell him in The Second World war. And yet what he went through (the imprisonment, the various misjudgements, the accusations of treachery) do not seem to have made it into the text. In the character of the author, Boko Fittleworth we perhaps see an excuse and explanation for Wodehouses’s own fuzzy headedness (“One has, of course, to make allowances for writers, all of them being more or less loony. Look at Shakespeare, for instance. Very unbalanced. Used to go about stealing ducks.”) – but I might be stretching even for that. What P.G. the man went through was undoubtedly awful (and his own behaviour was not above reproach), but we love Wodehouse the author because nothing in these pages is more serious than the imminent arrival of Aunt Agatha.
October 1, 2020
Always fun!!
January 2, 2021
So much fun. Hard to pick a favorite simile.
January 29, 2022
Cabin fever due to weather and pandemic protocol found me searching for what I knew would lift my spirits and make me laugh heartily. It had been quite a while since I treated myself to a Jeeves episode and it was due. Great comic therapy!
Bertie believes he will have a nice outing in a house close to his aunt's house when he meets the young son of his aunt's new husband who claims to be tidying up the cottage for him. Within minutes of Bertie's arrival this young man burns the cottage to the ground by his method of cleaning the chimney with gunpowder and then trying paraffin to put out the fire. Quite a start!
There will be meetings with old friends involving many sticky situations that will require the wisdom from above (otherwise known as Jeeves).
Wodehouse was a genius.
I have to bump up the stars because it felt so good to laugh so hard.
Bertie believes he will have a nice outing in a house close to his aunt's house when he meets the young son of his aunt's new husband who claims to be tidying up the cottage for him. Within minutes of Bertie's arrival this young man burns the cottage to the ground by his method of cleaning the chimney with gunpowder and then trying paraffin to put out the fire. Quite a start!
There will be meetings with old friends involving many sticky situations that will require the wisdom from above (otherwise known as Jeeves).
Wodehouse was a genius.
I have to bump up the stars because it felt so good to laugh so hard.
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