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Jeeves #11.5
Няколко на екс
Пъстра галерия от ярки образи изпълва разказите на смехотвореца Удхаус - Лорд Емсуърт, малкият му син Фреди, сладкодумецът господин Мълинър и многобройните му племенници, великият комбинатор Ъкридж, видните търтеи Бинго Литъл, Фреди Уиджън и Уфи Просър, едрокалибрената двойка влюбени голфери Агнес Флак и Синди Макмърдо, както и много други Акълии, Мъдреци и Мозъци в по-западните редици.
496 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 1959
25 people are currently reading
1245 people want to read
About the author
P.G. Wodehouse
1,680 books6,932 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 90 reviews
October 18, 2017
Wodehouse is not for everyone. But those who love him usually become addicted. You end up reading books just to find a few comic gems and it is usually worth the wait. Wodehouse creates his own world of well-to-do, superficial characters that somehow endear themselves to readers.
This collection would be a great introduction for those who might be curious and have never read anything by Wodehouse. It provides a great overview of Wodehouse staple characters, Jeeves and Wooster, the Oldest Member, Mulliner, Ukridge, and two funny pieces in which Oofy Prosser tries to outwit Freddie Widgeon. About the only thing missing are the characters from Blandings Castle. It will recruit new aficionados and satisfy those who are already fans of Wodehouse. But if the stories in this collection aren't your thing, you probably won't appreciate much more of his writings.
This collection would be a great introduction for those who might be curious and have never read anything by Wodehouse. It provides a great overview of Wodehouse staple characters, Jeeves and Wooster, the Oldest Member, Mulliner, Ukridge, and two funny pieces in which Oofy Prosser tries to outwit Freddie Widgeon. About the only thing missing are the characters from Blandings Castle. It will recruit new aficionados and satisfy those who are already fans of Wodehouse. But if the stories in this collection aren't your thing, you probably won't appreciate much more of his writings.
April 19, 2021
Audiobook. Fabulous narration by Jonathan Cecil.
A fun collection of short stories.
Haha… Jeeves, Wooster, Oofy and Bingo Little - cool names!
Chucklesome and entertaining.
A fun collection of short stories.
Haha… Jeeves, Wooster, Oofy and Bingo Little - cool names!
Chucklesome and entertaining.
January 10, 2022
Funny little shorts about Fat Uncles, stealing paintings, and golf. The first few and the last one was magnificent.
May 31, 2019
3.5* rounded up due to Jonathan Cecil's marvelous narration.
March 12, 2021
This 1959 book is not a bad Wodehouse collection as it has a lot of variety in its short stories:
4 - Drones Club members (two Freddie Widgeon and two Bingo Little),
2 - golf stories (with the Oldest Member),
2 - Mr Mulliner,
1 - Jeeves and Wooster,
1 - Ukridge.
As I normally mainly read Jeeves and Blandings, it was good to spread my wings a bit and get back to Drones Club and Mulliner stories, which I haven't read since the last century. But I do like the Blandings and Jeeves better than the Drones and Mulliners so this collection, while worthy, is not quite as satisfying as those.
However, as a golf fan, I do very much enjoy the Oldest Member stories and, as they are all quite similar, are probably better suited for a variety pack format like here than as the sole source of a collection.
4 - Drones Club members (two Freddie Widgeon and two Bingo Little),
2 - golf stories (with the Oldest Member),
2 - Mr Mulliner,
1 - Jeeves and Wooster,
1 - Ukridge.
As I normally mainly read Jeeves and Blandings, it was good to spread my wings a bit and get back to Drones Club and Mulliner stories, which I haven't read since the last century. But I do like the Blandings and Jeeves better than the Drones and Mulliners so this collection, while worthy, is not quite as satisfying as those.
However, as a golf fan, I do very much enjoy the Oldest Member stories and, as they are all quite similar, are probably better suited for a variety pack format like here than as the sole source of a collection.
December 12, 2012
Wodehouse always makes me laugh. This collection of short stories is mostly centered around the Drones Club and features a good mix of Wodehouse's best characters, ranging from Oofy Prosser, Freddie Widgeon, a pair of Mulliners, Jas Waterbury, and Bingo Little to a guest appearance by Bertie Wooster and Jeeves. There are the usual romantic and pecuniary embarrassments which are miraculously cleared up deus ex machina style by the author in a manic (though frequently unlikely) burst.
But it doesn't matter. Pelham Greville's (that's P.G.'s) sense of humor carries all before it and smooths over any potential rough spots.
My favorite stories are "Jeeves Makes an Omelette" about another of Aunt Dahlia's dangerous quests and the last story in the book, "Oofy, Freddie and the Beef Trust" about Oofy's venture as a wrestling promoter who narrowly escapes marrying Jas Waterbury's niece, who resembles nothing no much as a codfish with glasses. Top stuff!
But it doesn't matter. Pelham Greville's (that's P.G.'s) sense of humor carries all before it and smooths over any potential rough spots.
My favorite stories are "Jeeves Makes an Omelette" about another of Aunt Dahlia's dangerous quests and the last story in the book, "Oofy, Freddie and the Beef Trust" about Oofy's venture as a wrestling promoter who narrowly escapes marrying Jas Waterbury's niece, who resembles nothing no much as a codfish with glasses. Top stuff!
May 27, 2024
'A Few Quick Ones' by P.G. Wodehouse.
Rating:
First Read [27th May 2024]: Rating: 3.75/5. I have merely read the only short story involving Ukridge contained within this collection. I shall update the rating of the entire collection once I get acquainted with the other Wodehouse characters and decide to revisit this collection.
Review:
I had no intention of picking up another P.G Wodehouse book immediately after finishing his Ukridge collection – not because I didn't like his writing, but because I simply wanted to read something else and return to Wodehouse's works as a comfort read. But, as it turns out, I couldn't get enough of Ukridge's devious schemes! After learning that there were other short stories featuring Ukridge in Wodehouse's other books, the completionist within me wanted to devour them all at the earliest. And, thus, after diving through a host of other short story collections, I finally landed up on A Few Quick Ones.
'A Tithe for Charity' is the only Ukridge short story that is featured in this collection. It is a fairly short read and is quite possibly the shortest Ukridge short story that I have read so far. In this story, Ukridge, by some happenstance, avoids major losses and decides to thank his guardian angel by doing three acts of charity. As luck may have it, poor Corky gets involved unwittingly in Ukridge's antics, and he gets to witness the hilarity that ensues due to Ukridge's act of charity. Things don't end well for Ukridge despite his honest efforts, and one might say that they could see that ending coming from a mile away, but it doesn't diminish the comical turn of events that occur in this story.
'A Tithe for Charity', the only Ukridge short story featured in this collection turned out to be a fun read in the end. I do plan to get back to the rest of the stories contained within this collection once I get acquainted with the other Wodehouse characters.
"Never mind your spiritual experiences and your exalted moods. Was it you who pinched George Tupper's hat, suit, socks, shirts, shoes and maroon cravat?"
I make no claim to any particular perspicacity in asking the question. It was pure routine. Whenever suits, shirts, socks, ties and whatnot are found to be missing, the Big Four at Scotland Yard always begin their investigations by spreading a dragnet for S. F. Ukridge.
Rating:
First Read [27th May 2024]: Rating: 3.75/5. I have merely read the only short story involving Ukridge contained within this collection. I shall update the rating of the entire collection once I get acquainted with the other Wodehouse characters and decide to revisit this collection.
Review:
I had no intention of picking up another P.G Wodehouse book immediately after finishing his Ukridge collection – not because I didn't like his writing, but because I simply wanted to read something else and return to Wodehouse's works as a comfort read. But, as it turns out, I couldn't get enough of Ukridge's devious schemes! After learning that there were other short stories featuring Ukridge in Wodehouse's other books, the completionist within me wanted to devour them all at the earliest. And, thus, after diving through a host of other short story collections, I finally landed up on A Few Quick Ones.
'A Tithe for Charity' is the only Ukridge short story that is featured in this collection. It is a fairly short read and is quite possibly the shortest Ukridge short story that I have read so far. In this story, Ukridge, by some happenstance, avoids major losses and decides to thank his guardian angel by doing three acts of charity. As luck may have it, poor Corky gets involved unwittingly in Ukridge's antics, and he gets to witness the hilarity that ensues due to Ukridge's act of charity. Things don't end well for Ukridge despite his honest efforts, and one might say that they could see that ending coming from a mile away, but it doesn't diminish the comical turn of events that occur in this story.
'A Tithe for Charity', the only Ukridge short story featured in this collection turned out to be a fun read in the end. I do plan to get back to the rest of the stories contained within this collection once I get acquainted with the other Wodehouse characters.
November 23, 2019
I couldn't keep attention. In my mind, P.G. Wodehouse and Jonathan Cecil means Jeeves and Bertie. So I kept thinking each story was about them. When I used to that it was not so - I had difficulties with catching 'the gist' of the story before its end. So probably I didn't appreciate them how I should (perhaps I reread it in the future).
"The Fat of the Land" I enjoyed the most (5 stars). The rest were around 3 stars.
"The Fat of the Land" I enjoyed the most (5 stars). The rest were around 3 stars.
June 7, 2023
Delightful and worth reading just to hear the names of all the characters.
April 4, 2023
An excellent introduction to the works of P.G. Wodehouse with 10 stories covering many of the major series in Plum's repertoire: Mr. Mulliner, Ukridge, the Drones Club, the Oldest Member, and Jeeves & Wooster. The only signicant series not covered are Blandings Castle (my favorite series), Psmith, and Uncle Fred (my favorite character). There are lots of laughs in this collection and I highly recommend it to those interested in discovering one of the greastest humorists of the 20th century.
September 1, 2017
Wonderful set of stories with many familiar characters -the old man at the golf club , Jeeves and Wooster , Mr Mulliner, Ukridge , Bingo Little ,Oofy Prosser and others at Drones club. Wodehouse at his vintage best
August 30, 2025
I’m more the devotee of Wodehouse’s longer works in which he adds layer to layer onto his farces, but it’s pretty tough to go wrong here as he fills these ten short stories with much-admired old friends: Jeeves and Wooster, Mr Mulliner, the Oldest Member, Ukridge, and the Drones Club’s general assortment of Eggs, Beans, and Crumpets.
I know these pieces are from the latter 1950s, but how double-take inducing is it to read Wodehouse mentioning television and Marilyn Monroe?
I know these pieces are from the latter 1950s, but how double-take inducing is it to read Wodehouse mentioning television and Marilyn Monroe?
August 29, 2013
Much as I love so many of his novels, Wodehouse was probably at his best when he was penning short stories-- and as such, it's hard for me to imagine a better introduction to his work than this ten-story collection. It does an excellent job of demonstrating the scope of the world Wodehouse created, with the majority of his beloved characters showing up throughout these 200-ish pages. Indeed, while Jeeves & Wooster remain his best and most delightful characters, it is refreshing to find a Wodehouse anthology that is not so Jeeves-centric. (Jeeves and Wooster are here in just one story, "Jeeves Makes an Omelette," which is admittedly one of Wodehouse's all-time best stories.) Also present in this collection is an absolutely hysterical story called "Fat of the Land," which is probably my very favorite Wodehouse composition of all time. Not everything scales those heights of inspiration, but even the slightest story here is an amiable good time.
November 19, 2013
Rib-tickling humour from Plum as Jeeves and Wooster, the Oldest Member, Mr Mulliner, Oofy Prosser, the ubiquitous Aunt Dahlia and others all create the usual mix of Wodehouse fun.
Wooster, as only he could, bungles the theft of a masterpiece and Jeeves has to dig him out, Oofy sees the opportunity for some easy money by investing in a wrestling match with disastrous results, Ukridge's attempt to give to charity is fraught with danger and there is the typical mix of confusing engagements and romances - all of which is good clean fun.
Wooster, as only he could, bungles the theft of a masterpiece and Jeeves has to dig him out, Oofy sees the opportunity for some easy money by investing in a wrestling match with disastrous results, Ukridge's attempt to give to charity is fraught with danger and there is the typical mix of confusing engagements and romances - all of which is good clean fun.
April 20, 2013
Great mix of stories from all the different worlds of Wodehouse. Jeeves and Wooster are untouchable, but the Mulliner stories have a special place in my heart. The constant battle spread over several stories between Freddie Wigeon and Oofy Prosser is prodigiously silly, but in Wodehouse's moral universe, greed never wins. Plots are recycled, surely, but the execution simply overrides that fact.
Delightful.
Delightful.
August 21, 2009
Book on CD. Wodehouse certainly has a way with words, his amusing tales about the members of the Drones Club delights to no end, the man has humour and imagination, but.....what makes it extraordinary is the man reading it, his voice, intonations makes this one of my alltime favourites. Gotta find more Wodehouse read by this man.
October 17, 2021
Too few quick ones.
January 31, 2021
Can't trust greedy sorts
nothing in their scheming hearts
careless with nieces.
nothing in their scheming hearts
careless with nieces.
March 1, 2022
So, in recent years most of the train stations in The Netherlands have gotten free bookspots: big metal cabinets where travelers can drop off and pick up their books. That's where I found this one, a yellow hardcover edition that just said "A Few Quick Ones'. It spoke to me, I like short stories, simple as that. I didn't know a lot about Wodehouse. Still don't, but I'm beginning to suspect he was a clever and randomly funny guy.
All these stories seem to make fun of Upper Class England, being very subdued and neatly/stiff written. I don't know a lot about that environment, but then again it doesn't seem to matter at all.
Very mild spoilers ahead, I guess. But since I'm only outlining some plot and quoting some jokes I wouldn't worry about it.
The Fat of the Land 4 stars
Takes place at the Drones Club. Seems like a Gentlemen's Club/Pub where people are very bored and think up randomly stupid schemes. This one is about Freddie Widgeon who decides to find out who's uncle is the fattest from a couple of members in the club and design a gambling game around that. Ofcourse it doesn't go as planned. A lot of failed romance, bad luck and grotesque/politically incorrect humour involved. It's awesome fun.
Scratch Man 3 stars
About a golfer who wants to boost his handicap, cause he believes he is not worthy of the woman he loves, her coming from a big "Scratch Man" family. A bit of a tragicomical love story. Sadly, you can see the twists coming a mile away. Still funny, just forgettable.
The Right Approach 4.5 stars
Queens of the Stone Age said it best on an otherwise mediocre album: just "Another Love Song"!. In theory this reads as nothing special, again a love story. Turns out the sharp writing and witty and random humour make it awesome. This time it is about a man who pretends to be someone else/not be his own character just to woo a girl.
Some quotes that really stood out there:
That's some quick dry wit right there. Awesome. Quickness that reminds me of a Preston Sturges movie, maybe. And to top it off:
So many words for such a simple joke and "ardent swain" and "Ho, hum" who uses that anymore? Maybe they do, I'm no native tongue and this is an old book.
Jeeves makes an Omelette 2.5 stars
I wish this was about the said Jeeves making an omelette. Would have been funny, I guess. No, it is about Bertie who gets called by his aunt asking for a favour. He hates his aunt, but always loves the big legendary meals the cook makes. So, he obliges. Ofcourse it goes wrong.
I didn't think this was funny or special as is. And coming after the highly quotable and insanely funny "The Right Approach" I was just disappointed. Don't shoot me, I know a lot of readers pointed to this as a highlight. ah well...
The Word in Season 2.5 stars
Second story in a row that didn't work for me. Its about Bingo and a money scheme surrounding Algy. Meh, don't know what to say...didn't care for it.
Big Business 4 stars
Thats a fun start. What's it all about, you ask? Well, about the spelling of the song Old Man River, or is it Ol'Man River? Great discussion for two beverages to be having, ofcourse. Mr. Muliner to the rescue while he reminisces about nephew Reginald who had exactly the same dilemma. A guy who stumbled upon a fortune, but ofcourse, in good Wodehouse fashion someone is trying to scam him out of it.
Reginald, in this story, especially calls into question some phrases and old sayings constantly, such as:
Yes, that makes total sense. Reginald, haha. I love his logic. You will find A lot more language humour like that in this story and it's all the better for it.
So after 2 lesser ones, this one goes back to being very enjoyable indeed.
Leave it to Algy 3.5 stars
It's basicly Bingo who tries to hide something from his wife, getting help by Oofy Posser. Meanwhile he has to babysit Algy...Oh boy! I wouldn't say this was a great story, but very amusing. Lots of stuff goes horribly wrong, as you can imagine. There's so nice language play here and it's all very tragicomical.
Again, good questions raised, I have always wondered about that!
Joy Bells fo Walter 3.75 stars
On the surface, this story is again about a golf tournament. And since I only golfed 1 day in my life, I must admit a lot of jokes on the subject flew over my head. Luckily, the 'big joke' is about Walter Judson being distracted cause he needs to deal with family he hates, in a matter that won't offend his girlfriend. Now, that is something we all can relate to right? Being annoyed and trying to stay polite? So yes, this was very funny.
It also had a lot of great nonsense jokes, be it language related or just weird satire. The satire about popular 'chick lit' writing was on point. Personally I didn't even know it already was a thing back in the 50's?:
The end you can see coming from a mile away, also because of the given title of this short. But it's okay. I had fun!
A Tithe for Charity 3 stars
This kinda feels like a one-note joke to me, where the punchline is funnier than the lead-up. It's about a scheme involving Ukridge, who had an epiphany of some sort: to give some sudden money he got to charity. So he can later brag about it in a job interview. That sounds like a Wodehouse scheme indeed, but it takes too long to get really funny. Amusing story nonetheless.
Made more amusing by the fact that this story was published in Playboy Magazine in 1955. So, I am almost sure the jokey wordplay surrounding "tithe" isn't a coincidence. What baffles me more is that Playboy apparently used to have good literature in there? That's not the magazine I got acquinted with in my teens, not at all! :D But I am young(ish), so what do I know?
Oofy, Freddie and the Beef Trust 3.5 stars
A very balanced story, yet again with Oofy Posser. This time we hear the reason he doesn't like Professional Wrestling. Personally, I was kinda excited about this, cause I love wrestling, but it didn't really involve a lot of mechanics. Instead we yet again get a money scheme, a love story and lot's of things going wrong. Nothing new, nothing too funny. But it's very well balanced and consistent in tone.
Some cool language jokes, especially in the way Oofy has this weird an mean insults for a lot of characters. He calls people: a gargoyle, looking like a dead fish, a green monster, gorillas, someone not to be touched by a barged pole. He is really not going soft and I liked it. This was a fun way to end this book. But I did kinda hope for a better closer even.
last notes by me:
Score overall, approx. 3.75 stars
I will keep this book. Even though the state of it got worse than I initially thought, when a both taped and glued dust cover came loose and it revealed the cloth-woven book itself was kinda damaged on the back cover. It also smells kinda like glue now, but not too bad. The pages itself are in acceptable/good state, considering a book from 1959. Al in all, a fun find - especially free. Some great stories, but uneven.
All these stories seem to make fun of Upper Class England, being very subdued and neatly/stiff written. I don't know a lot about that environment, but then again it doesn't seem to matter at all.
Very mild spoilers ahead, I guess. But since I'm only outlining some plot and quoting some jokes I wouldn't worry about it.
The Fat of the Land 4 stars
Takes place at the Drones Club. Seems like a Gentlemen's Club/Pub where people are very bored and think up randomly stupid schemes. This one is about Freddie Widgeon who decides to find out who's uncle is the fattest from a couple of members in the club and design a gambling game around that. Ofcourse it doesn't go as planned. A lot of failed romance, bad luck and grotesque/politically incorrect humour involved. It's awesome fun.
Scratch Man 3 stars
About a golfer who wants to boost his handicap, cause he believes he is not worthy of the woman he loves, her coming from a big "Scratch Man" family. A bit of a tragicomical love story. Sadly, you can see the twists coming a mile away. Still funny, just forgettable.
The Right Approach 4.5 stars
Queens of the Stone Age said it best on an otherwise mediocre album: just "Another Love Song"!. In theory this reads as nothing special, again a love story. Turns out the sharp writing and witty and random humour make it awesome. This time it is about a man who pretends to be someone else/not be his own character just to woo a girl.
Some quotes that really stood out there:
"Lovely day," he said
"Beautiful," said the girl.
"The sun," said Augustus, pointing it out with his umbrella.
The girl said "Yes she had noticed the sun."
That's some quick dry wit right there. Awesome. Quickness that reminds me of a Preston Sturges movie, maybe. And to top it off:
An ardent swain who is left alone in the silent night in the garden of the aunt of the girl he loves does not say to himself"Ho, hum. Well, better call it a day I suppose" and go home to bed. He backs away from the house and stands gazing reverently up at her window. And if, like Augustus, he does not know which her window is, he gazes reverently at all the windows, just taking them in rotation.
So many words for such a simple joke and "ardent swain" and "Ho, hum" who uses that anymore? Maybe they do, I'm no native tongue and this is an old book.
Jeeves makes an Omelette 2.5 stars
I wish this was about the said Jeeves making an omelette. Would have been funny, I guess. No, it is about Bertie who gets called by his aunt asking for a favour. He hates his aunt, but always loves the big legendary meals the cook makes. So, he obliges. Ofcourse it goes wrong.
I didn't think this was funny or special as is. And coming after the highly quotable and insanely funny "The Right Approach" I was just disappointed. Don't shoot me, I know a lot of readers pointed to this as a highlight. ah well...
The Word in Season 2.5 stars
Second story in a row that didn't work for me. Its about Bingo and a money scheme surrounding Algy. Meh, don't know what to say...didn't care for it.
Big Business 4 stars
In a corner of the bar parlour of the Angler's Rest a rather heated dispute had arisen between a Small Bass and a Light Lager. Their voices rose angrily:
"Old", said the Small Bass.
"Ol", said the Light Lager.
Thats a fun start. What's it all about, you ask? Well, about the spelling of the song Old Man River, or is it Ol'Man River? Great discussion for two beverages to be having, ofcourse. Mr. Muliner to the rescue while he reminisces about nephew Reginald who had exactly the same dilemma. A guy who stumbled upon a fortune, but ofcourse, in good Wodehouse fashion someone is trying to scam him out of it.
Reginald, in this story, especially calls into question some phrases and old sayings constantly, such as:
-"You are casting me aside like a...what are those things that people cast aside?
-"'Worn-out glove,' is I presume, the expression for which you are groping."
-"Do you know," said Reginald struck by a thought, "I don't believe I've ever cast aside a worn-out glove. I always gave mine to the Salvation Army."
Yes, that makes total sense. Reginald, haha. I love his logic. You will find A lot more language humour like that in this story and it's all the better for it.
So after 2 lesser ones, this one goes back to being very enjoyable indeed.
Leave it to Algy 3.5 stars
It's basicly Bingo who tries to hide something from his wife, getting help by Oofy Posser. Meanwhile he has to babysit Algy...Oh boy! I wouldn't say this was a great story, but very amusing. Lots of stuff goes horribly wrong, as you can imagine. There's so nice language play here and it's all very tragicomical.
- "Ho!,", said the sergeant, speaking like a tiger of the jungle deprived of it's prey, if tigers of the jungle in those circumstances do say 'Ho!'?
Again, good questions raised, I have always wondered about that!
Joy Bells fo Walter 3.75 stars
-" Something the matter my boy?," I asked, concerned.
- "Only doom, disaster, desolation and despair" he said, scowling darkly at a fly which had joined us doing callisthenics on the rim of my glass.
On the surface, this story is again about a golf tournament. And since I only golfed 1 day in my life, I must admit a lot of jokes on the subject flew over my head. Luckily, the 'big joke' is about Walter Judson being distracted cause he needs to deal with family he hates, in a matter that won't offend his girlfriend. Now, that is something we all can relate to right? Being annoyed and trying to stay polite? So yes, this was very funny.
It also had a lot of great nonsense jokes, be it language related or just weird satire. The satire about popular 'chick lit' writing was on point. Personally I didn't even know it already was a thing back in the 50's?:
-"Mrs. Botts gave English literature a bad name by turning out those unpleasant whimsical things to which women of her type are so addicted. 'My Chums the Pixies' was one of her titles, 'How to Talk to the Flowers' another, and 'Many of My Best Friends are Field Mice' a third."
The end you can see coming from a mile away, also because of the given title of this short. But it's okay. I had fun!
A Tithe for Charity 3 stars
This kinda feels like a one-note joke to me, where the punchline is funnier than the lead-up. It's about a scheme involving Ukridge, who had an epiphany of some sort: to give some sudden money he got to charity. So he can later brag about it in a job interview. That sounds like a Wodehouse scheme indeed, but it takes too long to get really funny. Amusing story nonetheless.
Made more amusing by the fact that this story was published in Playboy Magazine in 1955. So, I am almost sure the jokey wordplay surrounding "tithe" isn't a coincidence. What baffles me more is that Playboy apparently used to have good literature in there? That's not the magazine I got acquinted with in my teens, not at all! :D But I am young(ish), so what do I know?
Oofy, Freddie and the Beef Trust 3.5 stars
A very balanced story, yet again with Oofy Posser. This time we hear the reason he doesn't like Professional Wrestling. Personally, I was kinda excited about this, cause I love wrestling, but it didn't really involve a lot of mechanics. Instead we yet again get a money scheme, a love story and lot's of things going wrong. Nothing new, nothing too funny. But it's very well balanced and consistent in tone.
Some cool language jokes, especially in the way Oofy has this weird an mean insults for a lot of characters. He calls people: a gargoyle, looking like a dead fish, a green monster, gorillas, someone not to be touched by a barged pole. He is really not going soft and I liked it. This was a fun way to end this book. But I did kinda hope for a better closer even.
last notes by me:
Score overall, approx. 3.75 stars
I will keep this book. Even though the state of it got worse than I initially thought, when a both taped and glued dust cover came loose and it revealed the cloth-woven book itself was kinda damaged on the back cover. It also smells kinda like glue now, but not too bad. The pages itself are in acceptable/good state, considering a book from 1959. Al in all, a fun find - especially free. Some great stories, but uneven.
April 26, 2021
A wonderful collection of short stories, although I can help but feel like the Jeeves story felt remarkably familiar.
All of the stories were entertaining, and although some were better than others, all had that little Wodehouse magic that makes his books so special. It doesn't matter how many times I read that someone starts quivering like an aspen, I still find the mental image hilarious. With these stories, it's only half about the actual plot being entertaining, and the rest is waiting for those absolute gems of lines. A particular favourite from this collection: "it was plain to him that the man, if not yet actually ossified, was indubitably plastered". You just don't find lines like that in many books, and I long for the opportunity to drop it in real life.
Although I've read a fair few of PG's works now, they have all been of the Jeeves canon, so this was my first real introduction to many of his characters (other than passing references to some in the ones I've read). Not that I was ever particularly worried I wouldn't like his other stories, but it does set me at ease knowing that they are all up to the same stratospheric standards. Now that I'm nearing the end of Bertie's stories, it's nice to know that I still have a wealth of other ones I can steadily plough through and enjoy.
I mentioned the Jeeves story sounding familiar as I read it: according to Wikipedia, it's a re-written version of a Reggie Pepper story (who was the proto-Bertie), which explains why I recognised it. It's still fun to read, as even if the story is familiar, you get all the wordplay anew, which is half the reason to read Wodehouse.
A fun little collection, one that I think would be a good intro for someone new to the author. As someone who's a bit more used to him, it's still definitely worth reading - as everything he's written seems to be.
All of the stories were entertaining, and although some were better than others, all had that little Wodehouse magic that makes his books so special. It doesn't matter how many times I read that someone starts quivering like an aspen, I still find the mental image hilarious. With these stories, it's only half about the actual plot being entertaining, and the rest is waiting for those absolute gems of lines. A particular favourite from this collection: "it was plain to him that the man, if not yet actually ossified, was indubitably plastered". You just don't find lines like that in many books, and I long for the opportunity to drop it in real life.
Although I've read a fair few of PG's works now, they have all been of the Jeeves canon, so this was my first real introduction to many of his characters (other than passing references to some in the ones I've read). Not that I was ever particularly worried I wouldn't like his other stories, but it does set me at ease knowing that they are all up to the same stratospheric standards. Now that I'm nearing the end of Bertie's stories, it's nice to know that I still have a wealth of other ones I can steadily plough through and enjoy.
I mentioned the Jeeves story sounding familiar as I read it: according to Wikipedia, it's a re-written version of a Reggie Pepper story (who was the proto-Bertie), which explains why I recognised it. It's still fun to read, as even if the story is familiar, you get all the wordplay anew, which is half the reason to read Wodehouse.
A fun little collection, one that I think would be a good intro for someone new to the author. As someone who's a bit more used to him, it's still definitely worth reading - as everything he's written seems to be.
January 7, 2023
A Few Quick Ones, P.G. Wodehouse, 1959, 214 pages, ISBN 9781590202333
The Fat of the Land
Scratch Man
The Right Approach
Jeeves Makes an Omelette
The Word in Season
Big Business
Leave It to Algy
Joy Bells for Walter
A Tithe for Charity
Oofy, Freddie and the Beef Trust
The Fat of the Land
Scratch Man
'You love her?'
'Madly.'
'And how do you find it affects your game?'
'I've started shanking a bit.'
The Oldest Member nodded.
'I am sorry,' he said, 'but not surprised. Either that or missing short putts is what generally happens on these occasions. I doubt if golfers ought to fall in love. I have known it to cost men ten shots in a medal round. The think of the girl and forget to keep their eyes on the ball.'
The Right Approach
Jeeves Makes an Omelette
The Word in Season
Big Business
Amanda Biffen, the girl he loved, though she admired his looks--for, like all the Mulliners, he was extraordinarily handsome--had never wavered in her view that if men were dominoes, he would have been the double blank.
Leave It to Algy
Joy Bells for Walter
A Tithe for Charity
Oofy, Freddie and the Beef Trust
Only the fact of his having no soul prevented the iron from entering into it.
…
"My whole past life flashed before me."
"Tough luck," said Freddie sympathetically. "That must have been rotten."
July 28, 2020
(En below)
Продовжую читати Джівса і Вустера (які тут в одному оповіданні), і може це не зовсім пік Вудгауза - то вже не двадцяті й не тридцяті, і , який я думав в нього тільки в одному творі, трохи дратує - але все одно купа задоволення. (switching to En from here on out)
"I have just had a great spiritual experience, old horse, which has left me in exalted mood."
Back to my Jeeves & Bertie Wooster project (they feature in one story here). This is maybe not quite the lofty heights of Wodehouse's fearsome mid-season form, but very good and extremely enjoyable all the same. 4.5, probably, though I didn't know Wodehouse was still as a thing after that one Jeeves and Wooster novel.
"Yes, madam. [Mr. Mulliner] called shortly before two, and rang the front-door bell. I informed him that you were not at home, and supposed that he had left the premises. Such, however, was not the case. Ten minutes ago he flung a bottle of champagne through my window, and when I looked out expressed a wish that I would throw him a rose from my hair. He then hit me in the left eye with an egg. [...] I gather from Mr. Stoker, with whom I was conversing a short while ago, that [Mr. Mulliner's] behavior throughout the evening has been on similar lines. Hew was a member of the diner party which Mr. Stoker attended, and Mr. Stoker tells me that he was instrumental in getting himself and friends ejected from three grillrooms and a milk bar. Mr. Stoker attributed his exuberance to youthful high spirits, and advanced the suggestion that such conduct should be excused in the young. I must confess that I am unable to take so liberal a view."
"It was obvious that only the fact of his having no soul prevented the iron entering into it."
Продовжую читати Джівса і Вустера (які тут в одному оповіданні), і може це не зовсім пік Вудгауза - то вже не двадцяті й не тридцяті, і , який я думав в нього тільки в одному творі, трохи дратує - але все одно купа задоволення. (switching to En from here on out)
"I have just had a great spiritual experience, old horse, which has left me in exalted mood."
Back to my Jeeves & Bertie Wooster project (they feature in one story here). This is maybe not quite the lofty heights of Wodehouse's fearsome mid-season form, but very good and extremely enjoyable all the same. 4.5, probably, though I didn't know Wodehouse was still as a thing after that one Jeeves and Wooster novel.
"Yes, madam. [Mr. Mulliner] called shortly before two, and rang the front-door bell. I informed him that you were not at home, and supposed that he had left the premises. Such, however, was not the case. Ten minutes ago he flung a bottle of champagne through my window, and when I looked out expressed a wish that I would throw him a rose from my hair. He then hit me in the left eye with an egg. [...] I gather from Mr. Stoker, with whom I was conversing a short while ago, that [Mr. Mulliner's] behavior throughout the evening has been on similar lines. Hew was a member of the diner party which Mr. Stoker attended, and Mr. Stoker tells me that he was instrumental in getting himself and friends ejected from three grillrooms and a milk bar. Mr. Stoker attributed his exuberance to youthful high spirits, and advanced the suggestion that such conduct should be excused in the young. I must confess that I am unable to take so liberal a view."
"It was obvious that only the fact of his having no soul prevented the iron entering into it."
January 17, 2025
Goodreads has this listed as installment 11.5 in the Jeeves-Wooster series, so you can probably understand my surprise at finding the first mention of Jeeves did not occur until approximately 1/3 of the way through the collection of short stories. The Jeeves series has picked up quite a bit as it has progressed from short story collections featuring J & W into complete novels. So, it was somewhat disappointing to learn the format of this collection.
However, a smile was immediately brought to my face in the first paragraph of “Jeeves Makes and Omelette” when Wooster began to pontificate on joining a society for the suppression of aunts.
Unfortunately the smile disappeared soon after when W & J did not appear in the rest of the collection. It was just not what I was anticipating.
I enjoyed all of the stories, and it was interesting to learn what awaits in the rest of the Collectors Wodehouse series that I have been buying. These reissued hardcovers are quick, entertaining reads and frankly they all look great on a bookshelf. I believe there are something like 50-60 total that were reissued, and I’m sure I will eventually read all of them.
However, a smile was immediately brought to my face in the first paragraph of “Jeeves Makes and Omelette” when Wooster began to pontificate on joining a society for the suppression of aunts.
Unfortunately the smile disappeared soon after when W & J did not appear in the rest of the collection. It was just not what I was anticipating.
I enjoyed all of the stories, and it was interesting to learn what awaits in the rest of the Collectors Wodehouse series that I have been buying. These reissued hardcovers are quick, entertaining reads and frankly they all look great on a bookshelf. I believe there are something like 50-60 total that were reissued, and I’m sure I will eventually read all of them.
July 10, 2021
A Few Quick Ones is a delightful collection of ten short stories, all laced with the classic Wodehousian humor, and narrated with a mastery of English language that Plum is renowned for. The two Bingo Little stories, followed by the lone Jeeves & Wooster story – Jeeves Makes an Omelette and one of the Drones club stories, The Fat of the Land, top the list. The two Mulliner stories and both the oldest member golf stories are ripping, so to speak. I guess I never took to Ukridge and Tithe for Charity did nothing to change that point of view.
All in all, a resounding 4 stars for this collection. Similar to Plum Pie, this collection is a good intro into Wodehouse’s elaborate fictional world, and is lacking only by virtue of an omission, that of a story set in Blandings Castle.
All in all, a resounding 4 stars for this collection. Similar to Plum Pie, this collection is a good intro into Wodehouse’s elaborate fictional world, and is lacking only by virtue of an omission, that of a story set in Blandings Castle.
February 3, 2025
I recently re-read this collections of short stories, one of Wodehouse's finest, and was surprised to see that I hadn't reviewed it here. Well it begins with a bang - a complex sentence worthy of Samuel Johnson, but much funnier: "Although he had never mentioned it to anybody, feeling that it was but an idle daydream and not within the sphere of practical politics, the idea of having a Fat Uncles sweepstakes at the Drone Club had long been in Freddie Widgeon's mind, such as it was."
Although I read the 1993 British Vintage paperback edition, which begins with that first sentence from "The Fat of the Land." The U.S. edition of A Few Quick Ones is missing a few of the stories I read, but adds others. "The Fat of the Land" is in there, but stuck in the middle apparently.
In any case, I've read all the stories in both editions, and I highly recommend either or both.
Although I read the 1993 British Vintage paperback edition, which begins with that first sentence from "The Fat of the Land." The U.S. edition of A Few Quick Ones is missing a few of the stories I read, but adds others. "The Fat of the Land" is in there, but stuck in the middle apparently.
In any case, I've read all the stories in both editions, and I highly recommend either or both.
March 29, 2021
A Few Quick Ones (1959) [U.S. First edition] Ten short stories: Five Drones Club stories, two with Freddie Widgeon, two with Bingo Little and one story with Dudley (Biffy) Wix-Biffen. Two Mr. Mulliner stories. One Jeeves story. Two golf stories.
The Ukridge story, "A Tithe for Charity," did not appear in the original US edition, which instead featured a 1958 "exclusive" pseudo-Drones story entitled "Unpleasantness at Kozy Kot" (actually a rewritten version[2] of the 1928 Jeeves story "Fixing it for Freddie" collected in Carry On, Jeeves). "Jeeves Makes an Omelette" was a rewritten version of the 1913 Reggie Pepper story "Doing Clarence a Bit of Good", which appeared in the UK collection My Man Jeeves.
The Ukridge story, "A Tithe for Charity," did not appear in the original US edition, which instead featured a 1958 "exclusive" pseudo-Drones story entitled "Unpleasantness at Kozy Kot" (actually a rewritten version[2] of the 1928 Jeeves story "Fixing it for Freddie" collected in Carry On, Jeeves). "Jeeves Makes an Omelette" was a rewritten version of the 1913 Reggie Pepper story "Doing Clarence a Bit of Good", which appeared in the UK collection My Man Jeeves.
December 5, 2019
In this short-story collection Wodehouse revisits many of his favorite characters from his various series out there. Even Jeeves and Wooster make a rare non-novel appearance. Yes, the plots are repetitive at times; yes, his humor is one level removed from England since he lived on Long Island for so long; yes, you'll roll your eyes a time or two. But you'll still love the stories, love the silliness, love the unexpected turn of phrase, love the gentle ribbing of the noble classes. In fact, this collection would probably make a good entree for anyone seeking to get to know PGW for the first time.
January 2, 2020
I read books 7 through 11.5 in the Jeeves series this year. That is quite a lot of Jeeves and Wooster. Overall this has been an enjoyable experience as the characters have become familiar and cozy to me. Throughout the year when I have been in a slump I have borrowed a Jeeves from the library and it would turn that feeling around. That being said, I think that I may need to take a few month break from the series. 6 books from one series in a year is quite a lot. The year before I also read the first six books of the series. I think that for me to continue enjoying these books I need to test the old adage that says, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder".
August 13, 2019
What else can you read one line of and feel this happy?
In these disturbed days in which we live, it has probably occurred to all thinking men that something drastic ought to be done about aunts.
"The whimsical way she put it was that a woman who married a man my size ran a serious risk of being arrested for bigamy."
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