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Jeeves #2, 5, 7
The Jeeves Omnibus Vol. 1: Thank You, Jeeves / The Code of the Woosters / The Inimitable Jeeves
'It beats me why a man of his genius is satisfied to hang around pressing my clothes and what not,' says Bertie. 'If I had Jeeves's brain I should have a stab at being Prime Minister or something.'
Luckily for us, Bertie Wooster manages to retain Jeeves's services through all the vicissitudes of purple socks and policeman's helmets, and here, gathered together for the first time, is an omnibus of Jeeves novels and stories comprising three of the funniest books ever written: Thank You, Jeeves, The Code of the Woosters and The Inimitable Jeeves.
Luckily for us, Bertie Wooster manages to retain Jeeves's services through all the vicissitudes of purple socks and policeman's helmets, and here, gathered together for the first time, is an omnibus of Jeeves novels and stories comprising three of the funniest books ever written: Thank You, Jeeves, The Code of the Woosters and The Inimitable Jeeves.
594 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 1989
582 people are currently reading
1488 people want to read
About the author
P.G. Wodehouse
1,680 books6,925 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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December 6, 2022Celebrity Death Match Special: P.G. Wodehouse vs Marcel Proust
“I say, Jeeves,” I said.
“Sir?”
“Mix me a stiffish brandy and soda.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Stiffish, Jeeves. Not too much soda, but splash the brandy about a bit.”
- P.G. Wodehouse, The Inimitable Jeeves
Les trois quarts des hommes du faubourg Saint-Germain passent aux yeux d'une bonne partie de la bourgeoisie pour des décavés crapuleux (qu'ils sont d'ailleurs quelquefois individuellement) et que, par conséquent, personne ne reçoit.
[Three-quarters of the men belonging to the aristocracy appear to the average man of the middle class simply as alcoholic wasters (which, individually, they not infrequently are) whom, therefore, no respectable person would dream of asking to dinner.]
- Marcel Proust, A l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs
No winner declared, referee retired unwell
“I say, Jeeves,” I said.
“Sir?”
“Mix me a stiffish brandy and soda.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Stiffish, Jeeves. Not too much soda, but splash the brandy about a bit.”
- P.G. Wodehouse, The Inimitable Jeeves
Les trois quarts des hommes du faubourg Saint-Germain passent aux yeux d'une bonne partie de la bourgeoisie pour des décavés crapuleux (qu'ils sont d'ailleurs quelquefois individuellement) et que, par conséquent, personne ne reçoit.
[Three-quarters of the men belonging to the aristocracy appear to the average man of the middle class simply as alcoholic wasters (which, individually, they not infrequently are) whom, therefore, no respectable person would dream of asking to dinner.]
- Marcel Proust, A l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs
No winner declared, referee retired unwell
December 22, 2014
The bright lights that put together these 5 Jeeves and Wooster omnibuses did so in an extremely non-chronological order, probably so that you'd have to buy a number of them to get the best books. Unfortunately, to get the full joy of the series you really have to read them in chronological order -- which I why I have all 5 books on the go at once.
I've now finished the first anthology and, as with many, many people before me, I think that Pelham Grenville Wodehouse is brilliant. Many laugh out loud moments, much superbly wrought prose. The only real reservation I have to the books is the feeling that almost all of the characters should be taken out and shot: what a bunch of utterly worthless shits. Still, that's where so much of the humour lies. Current favourite lines (badly remembered, no doubt): " He was so fat that tailors would measure him just for the exercise." "The yacht was big, about the size of a young liner."
One caveat: these books are like a very, very rich dessert. They are tremendously enjoyable but you mustn't read too much without a break. It's best to enjoy one book, then cleanse the palate with something else before trying another.
I've now finished the first anthology and, as with many, many people before me, I think that Pelham Grenville Wodehouse is brilliant. Many laugh out loud moments, much superbly wrought prose. The only real reservation I have to the books is the feeling that almost all of the characters should be taken out and shot: what a bunch of utterly worthless shits. Still, that's where so much of the humour lies. Current favourite lines (badly remembered, no doubt): " He was so fat that tailors would measure him just for the exercise." "The yacht was big, about the size of a young liner."
One caveat: these books are like a very, very rich dessert. They are tremendously enjoyable but you mustn't read too much without a break. It's best to enjoy one book, then cleanse the palate with something else before trying another.
April 17, 2016
"You don’t analyse such sunlit perfection, you just bask in its warmth and splendour."
- Stephen Fry aka Jeeves
Along with a dictionary and some lemonade.
- Stephen Fry aka Jeeves
Along with a dictionary and some lemonade.
February 11, 2016
Was really surprise at how funny these books are and how clever.
Lots of laugh out loud moments and just great fun!
Thankfully there are lots more to read!
Lots of laugh out loud moments and just great fun!
Thankfully there are lots more to read!
July 28, 2023
This was a surprisingly delightful and hilarious three-pack of books--my first introduction to Wodehouse and Jeeves beyond the general cultural legend that is theirs. The Inimitable Jeeves is my favourite, just great. The Code of the Woosters is a bit less precise in its humour, but a very funny hijinks book. Thank You, Jeeves, was a very tight situational comedy. While certainly meant to be somewhat anti-American, as this is the "Blackface Volume" (not Jeeves, of course), I am missing something of the sense of the satire or the cultural moment to make it work as an estate gag comedy. It is hard to read it a century later and in the Americas and feel like it is winsome. Wodehouse is, no doubt, effective at displaying the ridiculous prejudices of this period in English life. I am on to Carry On, Jeeves, and the high brow hijinks work well.
October 26, 2025
The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse
Nine out of 10
It is extraordinary to observe that the British have what seems to be an unsurpassed number of brilliant writers and furthermore, what seems to be the crème de la crème of Absolute humor – Evelyn Waugh, Anthony Powell, Kingsley Amis, Graham Greene, Jerome K. Jerome are just a few names one can think of in a second, and just like the so often hilarious P.G. Wodehouse, most of the aforementioned masters have written more than just one exceptional comedy, indeed, in some instances they have escaped the genre and gave the readers magnum opera in crime, war, romantic genres.
This reader has had the chance to enjoy P.G. Wodehouse’s style, energy, creativity in Lucky Jim - http://realini.blogspot.com/2019/02/t... - and Heavy Weather - http://realini.blogspot.com/2014/03/h... - before coming to the Adventures of the cow creamer and the gang that tries to get its hands on it, as detailed in the Code of the Woosters, which by the way, is supposed to be that a Wooster never lets down a fellow – or was it about a friend, since they do put down those who are not mates once in a while…
To start with, the amiable, likable, if most of the time foolish, confused, quite inadequate Bertie Wooster wakes up to face his ‘man’ aka valet Jeeves, sating good evening to him, only to hear the reply good morning…he has had a wild night, after which he will have to drink the special concoction prepared by the more intelligent, romantic servant – ‘we are now in the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness Sir’- who explains that the days are shorter, to a master who has that ‘feeling you have when you think you will die in the next five minutes’…
Jeeves is very interested, perhaps determined to go on a cruise around the world with his employer, but the latter has no intention to look at the brochures he is often presented – thus he talks of Jeeves as being ‘if not disgruntled, far from gruntled then’- never mind embark on such a daring, commotion prone endeavor, which is not in the least in the character of a wealthy man without much energy, quite lethargic and given to habits that revolve around London and the countryside of mansions, with the occasional trip to Europe, but without the inclination to take on something more enterprising, demanding of energy consumption.
Bertie Wooster does try to have fun, otherwise he would not be a suitable hero, even as second fiddle to Jeeves, to appear in a series of successful, inventive, captivating comedy books, included on The Guardian’s 1,000 Novels Everyone Must Read list - https://www.theguardian.com/books/200... - his latest antics including playing with the hat of a policeman, for which he has had to appear in court, where he made a bad impression on Sir Watkyn Bassett.
Alas, he would have to spend time at Totleigh Towers, where the magistrate Sir Watkyn is the proprietor, after he has seen his imperious, forceful, strong, fearsome aunt Dahlia, the one he calls ‘ancient relative’, a lady that wants him to visit an antique shop to express his disdain for a cow creamer, which he has to ask to see and then state that it is Modern Dutch and thus not worth much, if anything, a maneuver intended to deter, prevent the acquisition of the prized creamer by the same Sir Watkyn, a collector who is competing for this object with Tom Travers, husband of the ancient relative.
If he does not cooperate, Wooster would be banned from the exquisite, gourmet meals prepared by the one who seems to be the Ultimate Chef, Anatole, and this is a catastrophe that Bertie would not contemplate – nevertheless, at a later stage, in order to get this coveted, fetishized cow creamer, Tom Travers would be ready to trade Anatole – so he is at least ready to travel at the mansion and see how he can get his hands on the creamer…task which is ever more formidable, in the light of the encounter he has at the antique shop with the magistrate and his future nephew-in-law, Roderick Spode- the latter is the leader of a fascist outfit and he would have to confront the impossibility of being both a dictator and the proprietor and designer of underwear for women, an important information that will play a key role in the plot.
Bertie Wooster will have to play some other roles at the Towers, for he has been informed that there are clouds, perhaps a definitive storm, in the engagement of Madeleine, daughter of Sir Watkyn, with his friend, Gussie Fink-Nottle – a connection that would reach another nadir, during the story, for Gussie is very fond of newts and he keeps them with him, and when the magistrate would find them in the bathroom at one moment, a monstrous row would add to the already explosive atmosphere, tension created among other things by the comments made in a diary, which finds its way in the…cow creamer, on the flaws of the would be father-in-law and his friend.
The hopeless hero is faced with the complex task of trying to get the creamer for his dictatorial aunt and the meals prepared by Anatole, with the added demand that he steals it, only to give it to the curate, ‘Harold ‘Stinker’ Pinker, who is supposed to marry the niece of the host, Stephanie ‘Stiffy’ Byng…the latter has concocted a plan which would have the curate fight the intruder Wooster, recuperate the precious object for her uncle and thus become a hero and win the acceptance and potentially a vicarage from the grateful magistrate…
Unfortunately, aside from the two requests that he steals the dreadful creamer, one form the aunt and the other from Stiffy, there is the looming threat from the proprietor and the huge gorilla he has guarding it, for Spode has threaten to break his neck and they are sure that Bertie has tried to get the object from the shop, wherefrom he came out in a flash and besides, he had with him the umbrella of Sir Watkyns…added to this is the appearance in court for the incident involving the policeman’s helmet…and speaking of that, another such item is stolen from the officer in the small town, as retaliation for the confrontation with Stiffy’s dog – she is the one who has requested this punishment from Stinker – albeit it was the poor local policeman who has been attacked and bitten by the dog and not vice versa…
We can talk about it, if you want…
Nine out of 10
It is extraordinary to observe that the British have what seems to be an unsurpassed number of brilliant writers and furthermore, what seems to be the crème de la crème of Absolute humor – Evelyn Waugh, Anthony Powell, Kingsley Amis, Graham Greene, Jerome K. Jerome are just a few names one can think of in a second, and just like the so often hilarious P.G. Wodehouse, most of the aforementioned masters have written more than just one exceptional comedy, indeed, in some instances they have escaped the genre and gave the readers magnum opera in crime, war, romantic genres.
This reader has had the chance to enjoy P.G. Wodehouse’s style, energy, creativity in Lucky Jim - http://realini.blogspot.com/2019/02/t... - and Heavy Weather - http://realini.blogspot.com/2014/03/h... - before coming to the Adventures of the cow creamer and the gang that tries to get its hands on it, as detailed in the Code of the Woosters, which by the way, is supposed to be that a Wooster never lets down a fellow – or was it about a friend, since they do put down those who are not mates once in a while…
To start with, the amiable, likable, if most of the time foolish, confused, quite inadequate Bertie Wooster wakes up to face his ‘man’ aka valet Jeeves, sating good evening to him, only to hear the reply good morning…he has had a wild night, after which he will have to drink the special concoction prepared by the more intelligent, romantic servant – ‘we are now in the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness Sir’- who explains that the days are shorter, to a master who has that ‘feeling you have when you think you will die in the next five minutes’…
Jeeves is very interested, perhaps determined to go on a cruise around the world with his employer, but the latter has no intention to look at the brochures he is often presented – thus he talks of Jeeves as being ‘if not disgruntled, far from gruntled then’- never mind embark on such a daring, commotion prone endeavor, which is not in the least in the character of a wealthy man without much energy, quite lethargic and given to habits that revolve around London and the countryside of mansions, with the occasional trip to Europe, but without the inclination to take on something more enterprising, demanding of energy consumption.
Bertie Wooster does try to have fun, otherwise he would not be a suitable hero, even as second fiddle to Jeeves, to appear in a series of successful, inventive, captivating comedy books, included on The Guardian’s 1,000 Novels Everyone Must Read list - https://www.theguardian.com/books/200... - his latest antics including playing with the hat of a policeman, for which he has had to appear in court, where he made a bad impression on Sir Watkyn Bassett.
Alas, he would have to spend time at Totleigh Towers, where the magistrate Sir Watkyn is the proprietor, after he has seen his imperious, forceful, strong, fearsome aunt Dahlia, the one he calls ‘ancient relative’, a lady that wants him to visit an antique shop to express his disdain for a cow creamer, which he has to ask to see and then state that it is Modern Dutch and thus not worth much, if anything, a maneuver intended to deter, prevent the acquisition of the prized creamer by the same Sir Watkyn, a collector who is competing for this object with Tom Travers, husband of the ancient relative.
If he does not cooperate, Wooster would be banned from the exquisite, gourmet meals prepared by the one who seems to be the Ultimate Chef, Anatole, and this is a catastrophe that Bertie would not contemplate – nevertheless, at a later stage, in order to get this coveted, fetishized cow creamer, Tom Travers would be ready to trade Anatole – so he is at least ready to travel at the mansion and see how he can get his hands on the creamer…task which is ever more formidable, in the light of the encounter he has at the antique shop with the magistrate and his future nephew-in-law, Roderick Spode- the latter is the leader of a fascist outfit and he would have to confront the impossibility of being both a dictator and the proprietor and designer of underwear for women, an important information that will play a key role in the plot.
Bertie Wooster will have to play some other roles at the Towers, for he has been informed that there are clouds, perhaps a definitive storm, in the engagement of Madeleine, daughter of Sir Watkyn, with his friend, Gussie Fink-Nottle – a connection that would reach another nadir, during the story, for Gussie is very fond of newts and he keeps them with him, and when the magistrate would find them in the bathroom at one moment, a monstrous row would add to the already explosive atmosphere, tension created among other things by the comments made in a diary, which finds its way in the…cow creamer, on the flaws of the would be father-in-law and his friend.
The hopeless hero is faced with the complex task of trying to get the creamer for his dictatorial aunt and the meals prepared by Anatole, with the added demand that he steals it, only to give it to the curate, ‘Harold ‘Stinker’ Pinker, who is supposed to marry the niece of the host, Stephanie ‘Stiffy’ Byng…the latter has concocted a plan which would have the curate fight the intruder Wooster, recuperate the precious object for her uncle and thus become a hero and win the acceptance and potentially a vicarage from the grateful magistrate…
Unfortunately, aside from the two requests that he steals the dreadful creamer, one form the aunt and the other from Stiffy, there is the looming threat from the proprietor and the huge gorilla he has guarding it, for Spode has threaten to break his neck and they are sure that Bertie has tried to get the object from the shop, wherefrom he came out in a flash and besides, he had with him the umbrella of Sir Watkyns…added to this is the appearance in court for the incident involving the policeman’s helmet…and speaking of that, another such item is stolen from the officer in the small town, as retaliation for the confrontation with Stiffy’s dog – she is the one who has requested this punishment from Stinker – albeit it was the poor local policeman who has been attacked and bitten by the dog and not vice versa…
We can talk about it, if you want…
March 13, 2016
Three good books including the best I've read from the world of Jeeves and Wooster.
But too much light hearted comic relief wears after a while and I struggled to get around to reading the last chapter of Code of the Woosters. I find the stuff good... but not that good. Feeling jaded; I'll think long and hard before I try one again... and they're all pretty much the same anyway, all blurring into one long collection of frail social predicaments and misunderstandings.
But too much light hearted comic relief wears after a while and I struggled to get around to reading the last chapter of Code of the Woosters. I find the stuff good... but not that good. Feeling jaded; I'll think long and hard before I try one again... and they're all pretty much the same anyway, all blurring into one long collection of frail social predicaments and misunderstandings.
June 13, 2020
Thank You Jeeves – Jeeves tenders his resignation over Bertie’s plan to move to the country to continue his (unappreciated) endeavours on the banjolele; there are lovers tiffs and crusty old relatives aplently, and it seems to be heading for a ripping J & W yarn. Unfortunately, the phrase “nigger minstrels” crops up more than once, and to modern sensibilities it jars horribly. Then Bertie and another character spend a large portion of the action covered in boot polish or burnt cork in emulation of these performers. It leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
The Code of the Woosters – arguably one of the best of the Jeeves and Wooster series, involving cow-creamers, star-crossed lovers, and the ersatz-Mosely leader of The Black Shorts (they ran out of shirts when creating their look!). Full of hilarity and misunderstandings, with Jeeves saving the day, as usual. Excellent stuff.
The Inimitable Jeeves - a loosely linked collection of short storieswith all the usual Jeeves and Wooster mishaps and eccentric characters. Very good for a cheery pick-me-up!
The Code of the Woosters – arguably one of the best of the Jeeves and Wooster series, involving cow-creamers, star-crossed lovers, and the ersatz-Mosely leader of The Black Shorts (they ran out of shirts when creating their look!). Full of hilarity and misunderstandings, with Jeeves saving the day, as usual. Excellent stuff.
The Inimitable Jeeves - a loosely linked collection of short storieswith all the usual Jeeves and Wooster mishaps and eccentric characters. Very good for a cheery pick-me-up!
August 18, 2018
Bertie and Jeeves. Need I saw more? Topping! Marvellous! Pipping!
December 11, 2024
Sheer perfection and bliss! To read Wodehouse is to be healed.
September 21, 2025
Funny reading. Lots of quirky language.
November 5, 2023
Read three pages then went online to buy the following five omnibuses in the collection. Wodehouse joins Tolkien in the annals of authors I will read shopping lists from.
August 29, 2017
Short review: glorious collection of three Jeeves and Wooster novels.
Long review......
Thank You, Jeeves
My first exposure to Wodehouse's "mentally negligible" but good-hearted and engagement-prone Bertie Wooster and his more than capable valet Jeeves came thanks to the early 1990s ITV television adaptations starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. First watched on a Sunday evening, much-loved and later bought as VHS boxed sets, I've seen them all dozens of times. It's almost impossible for me to think of Bertie as anyone other than Laurie and Jeeves as anyone other than Fry.
Luckily, those TV adaptations captured the spirit of Wodehouse's books perfectly. Even luckier, the source material is even more of a delight. Tightly plotted tales of posh, idle rich coves in the 1920s and '30s, charging about the place, getting into ridiculous scrapes thanks to their childlike behaviour and romantic entanglements, stuffed with language this richly witty, they're a delight to read.
In this, the first of the full length Jeeves novels, the seemingly omnipotent valet has resigned from the Wooster household over Bertie's insistent banjolele-playing. Both men subsequently find themselves in the coastal village of Chufnell Regis, doing battle with pitbull-ish American yacht owner J. Washburn Stoker and trying to ensure Bertie's old pal Chuffy ends up engaged to Stoker's headstrong daughter Pauline (once briefly engaged to our hero and narrator, Wooster, while blacking up, dealing with protection racketeering children and sleeping in potting sheds.
The Code of the Woosters
Bertie's criminal past (swiping a policeman's helmet on boat race night) comes back to haunt him when he gets embroiled in a contentious cow creamer collection rivalry between his uncle Tom and Sir Watkyn-Bassett, the gimlet-eyed magistrate who fined him a fiver for said outrage. Worse, he has to endure the ever-threatening Roderick Spode, the doe-eyed Madeliene Bassett , the spectacularly feeble yet briefly empowered Gussy Fink-Nottle, the scheming Stiffy Byng and her savage dog Bartholomew while a guest at Totleigh Towers, the country home of.... one Watkyn-Bassett.
Again, it's all tremendous fun. Beautifully plotted and written, 'the Code...' is a superbly observed and narrated farce so beloved and influential that Tory MP Boris Johnson wholeheartedly (and cack-handedly) ripped off it's 'Eulalie' gag wholesale for his own execrable 'comic' novel, 'Seventy-Two Virgins.' Don't read that, by the way. Read this. And glory in the sheer joy of it all.
The Inimitable Jeeves
The weakest of the three novels, the third of them feels more like a collection of loosely interlinked short stories, most of them starring Bertie's old school friend and serial faller-in-love-r, Bingo Little with briefer appearances by our easygoing hero's light-fingered cousins Claude and Eustace. Of course, when reading a comic genius like Wodehouse, 'weakest' hardly implies 'weak'. There's gambling aplenty, whether it's at Goodwood, on the length of vicar's sermons, the mother's sack race or Bingo's romantic misadventures, some roaring about the metroplois with a bunch of communists, Bertie's ill-fated lunch date with Roderick Glossop (that confusingly pre-dates the events of 'Thank You, Jeeves') and, in the final chapter, one of my favourite passages of the whole collection:
"Once a year the committee of the Drones decides that the old club could do with a wash and brush-up, so they shoo us out and dump us down for a few weeks at some other institution. This time we were roosting at the Senior Liberal, and personally I had found the strain pretty fearful. I mean, when you've got used to a club where everything's nice and cheery, and where, if you want to attract a chappie's attention, you heave a piece of bread at him, it kind of damps you to come to a place where the youngest member is about eighty-seven and it isn't considered good form to talk to anyone unless you and he were through the Peninsular War together."
Long review......
Thank You, Jeeves
My first exposure to Wodehouse's "mentally negligible" but good-hearted and engagement-prone Bertie Wooster and his more than capable valet Jeeves came thanks to the early 1990s ITV television adaptations starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. First watched on a Sunday evening, much-loved and later bought as VHS boxed sets, I've seen them all dozens of times. It's almost impossible for me to think of Bertie as anyone other than Laurie and Jeeves as anyone other than Fry.
Luckily, those TV adaptations captured the spirit of Wodehouse's books perfectly. Even luckier, the source material is even more of a delight. Tightly plotted tales of posh, idle rich coves in the 1920s and '30s, charging about the place, getting into ridiculous scrapes thanks to their childlike behaviour and romantic entanglements, stuffed with language this richly witty, they're a delight to read.
In this, the first of the full length Jeeves novels, the seemingly omnipotent valet has resigned from the Wooster household over Bertie's insistent banjolele-playing. Both men subsequently find themselves in the coastal village of Chufnell Regis, doing battle with pitbull-ish American yacht owner J. Washburn Stoker and trying to ensure Bertie's old pal Chuffy ends up engaged to Stoker's headstrong daughter Pauline (once briefly engaged to our hero and narrator, Wooster, while blacking up, dealing with protection racketeering children and sleeping in potting sheds.
The Code of the Woosters
Bertie's criminal past (swiping a policeman's helmet on boat race night) comes back to haunt him when he gets embroiled in a contentious cow creamer collection rivalry between his uncle Tom and Sir Watkyn-Bassett, the gimlet-eyed magistrate who fined him a fiver for said outrage. Worse, he has to endure the ever-threatening Roderick Spode, the doe-eyed Madeliene Bassett , the spectacularly feeble yet briefly empowered Gussy Fink-Nottle, the scheming Stiffy Byng and her savage dog Bartholomew while a guest at Totleigh Towers, the country home of.... one Watkyn-Bassett.
Again, it's all tremendous fun. Beautifully plotted and written, 'the Code...' is a superbly observed and narrated farce so beloved and influential that Tory MP Boris Johnson wholeheartedly (and cack-handedly) ripped off it's 'Eulalie' gag wholesale for his own execrable 'comic' novel, 'Seventy-Two Virgins.' Don't read that, by the way. Read this. And glory in the sheer joy of it all.
The Inimitable Jeeves
The weakest of the three novels, the third of them feels more like a collection of loosely interlinked short stories, most of them starring Bertie's old school friend and serial faller-in-love-r, Bingo Little with briefer appearances by our easygoing hero's light-fingered cousins Claude and Eustace. Of course, when reading a comic genius like Wodehouse, 'weakest' hardly implies 'weak'. There's gambling aplenty, whether it's at Goodwood, on the length of vicar's sermons, the mother's sack race or Bingo's romantic misadventures, some roaring about the metroplois with a bunch of communists, Bertie's ill-fated lunch date with Roderick Glossop (that confusingly pre-dates the events of 'Thank You, Jeeves') and, in the final chapter, one of my favourite passages of the whole collection:
"Once a year the committee of the Drones decides that the old club could do with a wash and brush-up, so they shoo us out and dump us down for a few weeks at some other institution. This time we were roosting at the Senior Liberal, and personally I had found the strain pretty fearful. I mean, when you've got used to a club where everything's nice and cheery, and where, if you want to attract a chappie's attention, you heave a piece of bread at him, it kind of damps you to come to a place where the youngest member is about eighty-seven and it isn't considered good form to talk to anyone unless you and he were through the Peninsular War together."
November 9, 2023
This collection of Wodehouse's Jeeves novels is an excellent starting point for his works, highlighting his uproarious wit and self imposed limitations in equal measure. Two of the three novels in this group, Thank You Jeeves and Code of the Woosters, are some of the funniest books I've ever read. Wodehouse layers absurdities and complications at a breakneck pace upon his hapless characters, and their heightening panic and discombobulation over what is generally a deeply unimportant or minor social faux pas are a treat to witness. His dialogue is dry witted and lightning fast, and his tales all crescendo in Jeeves, the unruffled, all knowing butler, stepping in the save the day.
His tales are snappy and short, and very much capture the same emotional beats and even story flow as a modern sitcom, impressive to render in novelized form. Wodehouse's dedication to his formula obviously does come with sacrifice. As with sitcoms, there is an acceptance of no character growth or meaningful introspection, at the end of every episode (in this case novel) we are back where we started, an eternal loop, Bertie and Jeeves running in circles, and within these three novels alone that much is clear. This isn't a bad thing at all, and serves well the very specific comedy mold Wodehouse works to occupy.
The other restraint of note is that Jeeves occupies a fantasy land, a peaceful world in which all interpersonal, economic, and cultural imbalances and grievances are ironed smooth, invisible under the cheerful sheen of big houses, plenty of money, and content characters. The only problems for Jeeves and co. are who gets collectible cow creamers, and how to help a friend's romantic interest return the favor. Much like the circular nature of his books, this is a feature, not a bug. One comes to Wodehouse to laugh at goofy, simple characters in idyllic settings, acceptance of these things are a prerequisite to entry.
I only bring this up because unfortunately in Thank You Jeeves, our ability to ignore the wrinkles of life and just laugh is put to the test when much of the comedy and plotting revolves around minstrel shows and black face, as a product of its time it is what it is, but to come to the book currently, it's not as easy to get into that comedic spirit, a good portion of the humor in the book's second half has not aged gracefully. Luckily this seems to be an exception to Wodehouse's works, and aside from this (and the final novel, The Inimitable Jeeves, being a scattershot and somewhat weak collection of short stories) this Jeeves omnibus is a funny and enjoyable romp through a fantastical and silly turn of the century England.
His tales are snappy and short, and very much capture the same emotional beats and even story flow as a modern sitcom, impressive to render in novelized form. Wodehouse's dedication to his formula obviously does come with sacrifice. As with sitcoms, there is an acceptance of no character growth or meaningful introspection, at the end of every episode (in this case novel) we are back where we started, an eternal loop, Bertie and Jeeves running in circles, and within these three novels alone that much is clear. This isn't a bad thing at all, and serves well the very specific comedy mold Wodehouse works to occupy.
The other restraint of note is that Jeeves occupies a fantasy land, a peaceful world in which all interpersonal, economic, and cultural imbalances and grievances are ironed smooth, invisible under the cheerful sheen of big houses, plenty of money, and content characters. The only problems for Jeeves and co. are who gets collectible cow creamers, and how to help a friend's romantic interest return the favor. Much like the circular nature of his books, this is a feature, not a bug. One comes to Wodehouse to laugh at goofy, simple characters in idyllic settings, acceptance of these things are a prerequisite to entry.
I only bring this up because unfortunately in Thank You Jeeves, our ability to ignore the wrinkles of life and just laugh is put to the test when much of the comedy and plotting revolves around minstrel shows and black face, as a product of its time it is what it is, but to come to the book currently, it's not as easy to get into that comedic spirit, a good portion of the humor in the book's second half has not aged gracefully. Luckily this seems to be an exception to Wodehouse's works, and aside from this (and the final novel, The Inimitable Jeeves, being a scattershot and somewhat weak collection of short stories) this Jeeves omnibus is a funny and enjoyable romp through a fantastical and silly turn of the century England.
March 11, 2021
I came across the name Roderick Spode in a newspaper article. The article's author clearly assumed that the reader would know who Roderick Spode was. Upon Googling him, I found that he was a character in a Bertie Wooster book so I bought this book to bring myself up to speed. I read and enjoyed many of P. G. Wodehouse's books when I was much younger but I'm sure that there was much in them that I didn't understand. In particular, the significance of Roderick Spode. He is modelled upon Sir Oswald Mosely who was leader of the black shirts; Roderick Spode is leader of the black shorts. Both are very tall.
This omnibus edition contains three books of which I read The Code of the Woosters (the very first Wooster book) and The Inimitable Jeeves (the first in which Roderick Spode appears). I was, probably unreasonably, hoping for a little more political comment but nevertheless, Spode is clearly an unpleasant character of whom it is easy to make fun.
After a chapter or two of The Code of the Woosters I wasn't sure that my current day self could enjoy a book based around a spoilt, ridiculously wealthy man with his huge reliance on a butler, living in a society so very based around class (lower classes are hardly mentioned except in a slightly sneering way) but as I progressed, such thoughts subsided as some undoubtedly amusing events occur in the story.
The books are very much of their time but, for that very reason, are interesting in an amusing way. I don't feel ready to read any more but I'm pleased that I reacquainted myself with the series. They are a very easy read. One just has to overlook such aspects as the attitudes to women (who, if they are not an overbearing aunt, are mostly dippy, clingy, and looking for marriage).
Note that there are five of these omnibus editions. They do contain all the books but not in order so, if you wanted to read them in the order that they were published, you would need to buy more than one.
This omnibus edition contains three books of which I read The Code of the Woosters (the very first Wooster book) and The Inimitable Jeeves (the first in which Roderick Spode appears). I was, probably unreasonably, hoping for a little more political comment but nevertheless, Spode is clearly an unpleasant character of whom it is easy to make fun.
After a chapter or two of The Code of the Woosters I wasn't sure that my current day self could enjoy a book based around a spoilt, ridiculously wealthy man with his huge reliance on a butler, living in a society so very based around class (lower classes are hardly mentioned except in a slightly sneering way) but as I progressed, such thoughts subsided as some undoubtedly amusing events occur in the story.
The books are very much of their time but, for that very reason, are interesting in an amusing way. I don't feel ready to read any more but I'm pleased that I reacquainted myself with the series. They are a very easy read. One just has to overlook such aspects as the attitudes to women (who, if they are not an overbearing aunt, are mostly dippy, clingy, and looking for marriage).
Note that there are five of these omnibus editions. They do contain all the books but not in order so, if you wanted to read them in the order that they were published, you would need to buy more than one.
April 27, 2023
The Jeeves Omnibus - Vol 1: (Jeeves & Wooster) is a collection of three Jeeves and Wooster books, all for one low, low price. This was my first time reading P.G. Wodehouse, and I'll admit I was a little unsure how they would age after bad experiences with some other 'classics'. It turns out I needn't have been worried at all. All three books were hilarious.
The writing is exceptional, the characters wonderfully flawed, and the escalation of conflict perfect. It reminds me of Fawlty Towers, how one minor issue manages to expand to fill the whole horizon, with only a swift interjection by Jeeves able to save the day. They are worth reading for the delightful character and place names, if nothing else.
It says a lot that after almost 600 pages spent with Jeeves and Bertie, I'm ready to dive into the next omnibus and spend another 600 pages following more of their shenanigans.
The writing is exceptional, the characters wonderfully flawed, and the escalation of conflict perfect. It reminds me of Fawlty Towers, how one minor issue manages to expand to fill the whole horizon, with only a swift interjection by Jeeves able to save the day. They are worth reading for the delightful character and place names, if nothing else.
It says a lot that after almost 600 pages spent with Jeeves and Bertie, I'm ready to dive into the next omnibus and spend another 600 pages following more of their shenanigans.
April 4, 2019
Oh, ah! I just loved this book with its generous dose of English expressions (perhaps highly exaggerated by Wodehouse?) like Rummy thing, I’m dashed, Right-o, and Tootle-oo! The impatient or unobservant reader may not catch on to the quick, dry humor nor be able to follow the multitude of bally characters whom the author refers to by nickname and otherwise, even referring to himself in third person. For those who do fall into the writer’s rhythm, they will be highly rewarded with a Laurel and Hardy-type humor that makes you laugh out loud.
January 23, 2021
Wooster needs Jeeves
“Jeeves ...?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Bertie Wooster doesn’t deserve Jeeves. But then it is his good nature, his willingness to do anything for a friend, or his inability to defy an aunt, which get him into these scrapes. So he needs Jeeves.
I’ve heard and seen the adaptations, but there is no substitute for reading the very words of Wodehouse. In a grim winter, this was a reliable source of joy.
“Jeeves ...?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Bertie Wooster doesn’t deserve Jeeves. But then it is his good nature, his willingness to do anything for a friend, or his inability to defy an aunt, which get him into these scrapes. So he needs Jeeves.
I’ve heard and seen the adaptations, but there is no substitute for reading the very words of Wodehouse. In a grim winter, this was a reliable source of joy.
April 2, 2021
These days there are so many books and TV programmes around about death and murders that reading Jeeves and Wooster provides a refreshing change. It’s like a comical 1929s Made in Chelsea- the stories normally start with someone getting engaged ( or wanting to get engaged) and goes from there. The structure of the sentences and English grammar is lovely, bringing you back to a time when these things mattered.
Very much recommended for light reading
Very much recommended for light reading
August 14, 2017
To sing praises for P. G. Wodehouse is job best left to those who know what they're doing. For me, it is enough, as Stephen Fry remarked, 'To sit back, relax and bask in the glory of the genius that is Wodehouse.'
September 29, 2018
Excellent! Some very funny moments. Can see how this influenced Monty Python movies. And I can totally picture Johnny Depp as Bertie Wooster. My faves: Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest, Helping Freddie, Misunderstood, Jeeves and the Chump Cyril.
April 12, 2020
Oh, Bertie. What would you ever do without Jeeves to manage you?? Get stuck marrying Honoria Glossop, that's what! And, Aunt Gertrude....don't mess with her! Per usual, Wodehouse never, ever disappoints.
June 12, 2022
Certainly entertaining, and one does laugh reading him; but really such lightweight fare won’t do me at all. So trivial. I need heavier stuff. The people who love Wodehouse just wouldn’t be my type of people at all, far too shallow!
November 5, 2017
Classic Wodehouse! The witty and humorous Jeeve’s tales has the capability of making your day so much better!
March 25, 2018
I want to live in these stories.
June 28, 2018
Brilliant as usual
June 30, 2018
Jolly good fun, what? Perfect reading when you're low and can't concentrate on anything too strenuous. Not terribly sophisticated but well-crafted.
August 11, 2018
Utterly brilliant. Spiffing, in fact.
November 16, 2018
Very good, sir.
June 28, 2019
Pure joy reading P.G. Wodehouse. His use of English language is something else.
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