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Not George Washington: An Autobiographical Novel
Not George Washington is a semi-autobiographical novel by P. G. Wodehouse, written in collaboration with Herbert Westbrook. It was first published in the United Kingdom on October 18, 1907.
200 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 1907
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About the author
P.G. Wodehouse
1,708 books6,977 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 62 reviews
September 14, 2012
James Orlebar Cloyster goes to London to make his fortune so he can marry his lady, Margaret Goodwin. Unfortunately, success eludes him until he stumbles upon a scheme...
Not George Washington isn't like most Wodehouse stories. It's much more serious. Cloyster is no likeable Bertie Wooster, that's for sure. He lies to extend an engagement, has multiple people pose as his various pseudnyms to hide from his fiancee how much he's making, and does various other dodgy things. The closest thing to Bertie Wooster in the book is Sidney Price, one of Cloyster's friends. The humorous parts are much farther between than they normally occur in a Wodehouse story.
Still, Not George Washington shows Wodehouse's skill as a writer. He uses multiple viewpoints and the tale is almost as serpentine as his later works. It all works out in the end but it's not as fun getting there as in his other books. It hurts me to give a Wodehouse less than a three but I'm afraid I can only give this one a 2.5.
Not George Washington isn't like most Wodehouse stories. It's much more serious. Cloyster is no likeable Bertie Wooster, that's for sure. He lies to extend an engagement, has multiple people pose as his various pseudnyms to hide from his fiancee how much he's making, and does various other dodgy things. The closest thing to Bertie Wooster in the book is Sidney Price, one of Cloyster's friends. The humorous parts are much farther between than they normally occur in a Wodehouse story.
Still, Not George Washington shows Wodehouse's skill as a writer. He uses multiple viewpoints and the tale is almost as serpentine as his later works. It all works out in the end but it's not as fun getting there as in his other books. It hurts me to give a Wodehouse less than a three but I'm afraid I can only give this one a 2.5.
March 3, 2023
Curiously circular story but kept me gripped and the characters are just so lively and fun!
February 22, 2019
Dry satire meets romantic comedy on Grub Street.
April 14, 2019
Well, it finally happened — a P. G. Wodehouse book that I did not actually enjoy.
The title refers to the innate dishonesty of virtually every character in the book. The narrative is split into different first person points of view, including what is, to my knowledge, the only time Wodehouse ever assumed a female POV for a section of story. She is the only character who seems to be motivated by selfless and loving reasons; all the rest are duplicitous, selfish, and motivated by profit and pleasure.
All of this is fine, as it goes, but it interfaces poorly with the usual Wodehousean plot structure, which is in full force. There is a sort of brutal disconnect between the lighthearted tone and the actions of the characters. the happy endings are undeserved, and happen to the detriment of the aforementioned only honest character.
It would be easy to blame the co-author, Herbert Westbrook, for any discrepancies between this and the usual Wodehouse output. Without more data points, I’d be willing to accept that answer. But if nothing else, this is an unusual entry in the early Wodehouse oeuvre, notable for how different it is from what came before it and what came after.
The title refers to the innate dishonesty of virtually every character in the book. The narrative is split into different first person points of view, including what is, to my knowledge, the only time Wodehouse ever assumed a female POV for a section of story. She is the only character who seems to be motivated by selfless and loving reasons; all the rest are duplicitous, selfish, and motivated by profit and pleasure.
All of this is fine, as it goes, but it interfaces poorly with the usual Wodehousean plot structure, which is in full force. There is a sort of brutal disconnect between the lighthearted tone and the actions of the characters. the happy endings are undeserved, and happen to the detriment of the aforementioned only honest character.
It would be easy to blame the co-author, Herbert Westbrook, for any discrepancies between this and the usual Wodehouse output. Without more data points, I’d be willing to accept that answer. But if nothing else, this is an unusual entry in the early Wodehouse oeuvre, notable for how different it is from what came before it and what came after.
November 22, 2016
One of Wodehouse' s earlier works, this is, apparently, a blend of fiction and autobiography. The result is an uneven, sporadically funny but ultimately unsatisfying book that is not up to Plum' s usual high standards. Whether this is because it is a co-written effort or because of the mix of fact and fiction or some other reason, I don't know. Anyway, it is not essential reading except for Wodehouse completists.
February 15, 2025
What did I just read?
It had its charming moments but in general it’s one of my least favorites of PG
Took me a year to read because the first half failed to grip me, but I finished!
It had its charming moments but in general it’s one of my least favorites of PG
Took me a year to read because the first half failed to grip me, but I finished!
February 5, 2020
A semi-autobiographical satire about a young writer trying to make it in London – and, once his scribblings are a success, trying to hide that success to avoid the matrimonial ball and chain – Not George Washington doesn’t always hit the mark. It feels like what it is: an early work by a comedic writer still finding his feet.
That said, the increasingly absurd plot and the unrestrained fun of the whole endeavor make the novel an enjoyable read. I’m also shocked it’s never been adapted for screen: this is the sort of story that might do better performed than written. Recommended.
That said, the increasingly absurd plot and the unrestrained fun of the whole endeavor make the novel an enjoyable read. I’m also shocked it’s never been adapted for screen: this is the sort of story that might do better performed than written. Recommended.
dnf-nfn
December 2, 2021DNF (Did Not Finish) @ 41%
Despite being a fan of Wodehouse's stories in general, this one didn't work for me. It's not as fun and light-hearted as his usual ones, and I really couldn't get behind the main male character who just wanted to get out of his engagement without actually bothering to, you know, let the woman know. I got fed up with it and just DNF'd it. There are much better Wodehouse works to read, so I'd recommend skipping this one!
Despite being a fan of Wodehouse's stories in general, this one didn't work for me. It's not as fun and light-hearted as his usual ones, and I really couldn't get behind the main male character who just wanted to get out of his engagement without actually bothering to, you know, let the woman know. I got fed up with it and just DNF'd it. There are much better Wodehouse works to read, so I'd recommend skipping this one!
July 6, 2023
I liked this book, but I did not love it. The humor was in the choices people made and I like it more when there is some wordplay. I thought the plot was well-thought out, but not a whole lot happens in this book.
February 23, 2022
This was a little different from the usual Wodehouse fare. It is actually a hairs breadth away from being melodrama and the protagonist is a bit of a cad. So much so, that I did not enjoy the ending very much. The style did not reflect P.G.'s normal mode of putting pen to paper and the story did not seem to be fleshed out with the potential it had.
In brief, the main character, James Orlebar Cloyster (Insert Red Dwarf joke here) has decided to make himself a success in writing. Along the way he becomes romantically entwined, but rather than break things off when he finds his new lifestyle more to his liking, he creates an elaborate ruse to defray any pending nuptials. He utilizes some of the other cast to assist in the caper while making and losing friends and ultimately, having his scheme run into a collaborative snag. This while he trifles with the affections of a maiden who, no doubt, is far too good for him.
In reading this, I could not help but feel there was the bones for a much better tale, but it felt rushed, and lacking in empathy for the main character. It has been said this was an experiment for Wodehouse. Fair enough. But to be frank, I am sure he went back to the drawing board at its conclusion.
In brief, the main character, James Orlebar Cloyster (Insert Red Dwarf joke here) has decided to make himself a success in writing. Along the way he becomes romantically entwined, but rather than break things off when he finds his new lifestyle more to his liking, he creates an elaborate ruse to defray any pending nuptials. He utilizes some of the other cast to assist in the caper while making and losing friends and ultimately, having his scheme run into a collaborative snag. This while he trifles with the affections of a maiden who, no doubt, is far too good for him.
In reading this, I could not help but feel there was the bones for a much better tale, but it felt rushed, and lacking in empathy for the main character. It has been said this was an experiment for Wodehouse. Fair enough. But to be frank, I am sure he went back to the drawing board at its conclusion.
April 2, 2023
Not George Washington manual s a semi autobiographical novel by PG Wodehouse, written in collaboration with Herbert Westbrook.
The title is Not George Washington as apparently Washington never lied, but the main character James Cloyster lies like his life depends on it.
Margaret Goodwin saves Cloyster's life from a boating accident. They get engaged soon (as was the usual way in the novels of yore) James goes to London to earn money from his writing and realised the futility of getting married. He paints quite a picture of poverty to Margaret while earning good money through a pseudo name scheme he runs in London. He gets affianced to another girl Eva. He wants to get richer now but in the process, his scheme falls flat and his new fiance gets engaged to someone else. He actually gets poor but Margaret acts as his saviour (again).
Not the usual humourous banter in this one, though there are quite amusing situations. Cloyster is not endearing like Bertie for sure. In fact he is a cad and doesn't deserve Margaret. The one character that is really unique is Margaret's mother.
This one is not loved by many readers and Wodehouse fans would be majorly disappointed but I found it interesting (though I didn't like the end)
The title is Not George Washington as apparently Washington never lied, but the main character James Cloyster lies like his life depends on it.
Margaret Goodwin saves Cloyster's life from a boating accident. They get engaged soon (as was the usual way in the novels of yore) James goes to London to earn money from his writing and realised the futility of getting married. He paints quite a picture of poverty to Margaret while earning good money through a pseudo name scheme he runs in London. He gets affianced to another girl Eva. He wants to get richer now but in the process, his scheme falls flat and his new fiance gets engaged to someone else. He actually gets poor but Margaret acts as his saviour (again).
Not the usual humourous banter in this one, though there are quite amusing situations. Cloyster is not endearing like Bertie for sure. In fact he is a cad and doesn't deserve Margaret. The one character that is really unique is Margaret's mother.
This one is not loved by many readers and Wodehouse fans would be majorly disappointed but I found it interesting (though I didn't like the end)
September 3, 2022
I see some reviewers did not finish this book. That is understandable: it is uneven. The promising story actually could have been much better structured, and characterisation is very crude. There are some pleasant literary surprises, though.
I finished it before realizing that it had been co-written, which possibly explains the odd changes in writing style that happen in the book. I, too, was very wary after the first third of the book, which is nothing very special at all. Contrast that with the writing at the end after Cloyster receives the parcel from Margaret. From there to the end, there is a complete change of tone, and that last segment could easily come from any of the books from PGW golden era. To the casual reader, this is not that great except for some interesting insights into life in Edwardian London. To PGW scholars, though, it's seen as a stepping stone towards future literary greatness.
I finished it before realizing that it had been co-written, which possibly explains the odd changes in writing style that happen in the book. I, too, was very wary after the first third of the book, which is nothing very special at all. Contrast that with the writing at the end after Cloyster receives the parcel from Margaret. From there to the end, there is a complete change of tone, and that last segment could easily come from any of the books from PGW golden era. To the casual reader, this is not that great except for some interesting insights into life in Edwardian London. To PGW scholars, though, it's seen as a stepping stone towards future literary greatness.
July 3, 2021
The main character is NOT George Washington, because, as legend has it, George Washington never told a lie, whereas the protagonist in this story, James Orlebar Cloyster, becomes trapped in a mountain of lies. Told from the point of view of at least four different characters, the story is about a young man who finds romance, takes to writing so that he can marry, attains great success, and then has second thoughts about the woman to which he is engaged. He then devises a dishonest scheme in order to put off the marriage to a later date, only to find himself getting into deeper trouble, making more and more enemies on the way. The story helps one realize some of the dishonest tricks that are played in the world of writing, without getting overly moralistic. Well-crafted, light, and funny as are all Wodehouse's books.
December 22, 2022
This early novel, written in collaboration with a friend, is a fascinating curiosity which suggests that WODEHOUSE MIGHT HAVE BECOME A VERY DIFFERENT , EXPERIMENTAL SORT OF WRITER, HAD HE CONTINUED TO WRITE IN THE SAME VEIN. uSING MULTIPLE NARRATORS, PLAYING WITH LITERARY STEREOTYPES AND IDENTITIES, IT TELLS THE STORY OF AN AMBITIOS YOUNG WRITER, jAMES oRLEBAR cLOYSTER, WHO COMBINES MILD AND AFFABLE MANNERS WITH VERY FEW PRINCIPLES. aLL THE MAIN CHARACTERS ARE JUST AS UNSCRUPULOUS, READY TO CHEAT AND LIE IN PURSUIT OF THEIR ENDS, HENCE THE TITLE OF THE BOOK.
nOT gEORGE wASHINTON ALSO INVITES READERS TO REFLECT ON THE NATUREOF TALENT, FAME, FAILURE AND SUCCESS, VILLAINY AND HONOR- THEMES WHICH CONTINUED TO RECUR IN THE AUTHOR'S WORK FOR ANOTHER SIXTY YEARS.
nOT gEORGE wASHINTON ALSO INVITES READERS TO REFLECT ON THE NATUREOF TALENT, FAME, FAILURE AND SUCCESS, VILLAINY AND HONOR- THEMES WHICH CONTINUED TO RECUR IN THE AUTHOR'S WORK FOR ANOTHER SIXTY YEARS.
January 4, 2025
Not George Washington is an underwhelming semi-autobiographical novel that Wodehouse co-authored with Herbert Westbrook. I had avoided reading this book for a long time but gave in finally—after all, NGW is included in the 71 novels Wodehouse has authored.
The story starts promisingly with Margaret Goodwin’s narration, but quickly deteriorates into a drag when James Cloyster takes over as he introduces one new character after another. If Cloyster is a thinly veiled representation of Wodehouse himself, then perhaps I ought to have stuck to my original guts and stayed off this novel. NGW may very well be my least favorite Wodehouse novel—yet I cannot give it any less than 3 stars.
The story starts promisingly with Margaret Goodwin’s narration, but quickly deteriorates into a drag when James Cloyster takes over as he introduces one new character after another. If Cloyster is a thinly veiled representation of Wodehouse himself, then perhaps I ought to have stuck to my original guts and stayed off this novel. NGW may very well be my least favorite Wodehouse novel—yet I cannot give it any less than 3 stars.
June 5, 2018
I was looking to read a biography about George Washington when I came across this little distraction. Reading the synopsis, I decided a little detour might not be so bad. I didn't love it all the way through. In fact, there were times I considered putting it to rest without finishing. I'm glad I stuck with it, I did enjoy the ending. I debated about giving it three or four stars. I gave it four, although I wish I could have given it three and a half. It's good writing, but the humor is old-fashioned and a little too dry for my liking.
December 1, 2017
Not the great man's greatest work. I was well over halfway through before I got into it. I had to talk myself out of giving it up many times. But in the end, it was worth it. The plot was reminiscent of W.W. Jacobs. It is supposed to be semiautobiographical. I hope not too autobiographical because the protagonist is supposed to be somewhat of a cad, although by today's standards he'd probably be considered a fine, upstanding young man.
September 11, 2018
Not George Washington is an odd work. It features four different narrators to tell a passably interesting plot that gets hammered to death through repetition of the same points. Only the first narrator, a young lady, is sympathetic. Virtually all the other characters bring a wish for a bolt from heaven to singe their insoles. There are moments of laughter but they are dwarfed by pages on end of shear monotony.
November 19, 2019
Not classic Wodehouse but I love the underlying concept of imposing a moderately ridiculous comedic drama onto a loose outline of the author's very early literary career. The book itself is published pretty early in said career and the authorial voice of a young but potentially promising writer is probably pretty genuine. The friendly irreverence of the title is in good keeping with the plot and principle character development.
June 4, 2017
The first few chapters were charming. Once the narrator changes, the charm is gone along with most of my interest. The remainder of the book reads more like a group of short stories sharing the same characters who I ended up liking less and less as the book went on.
June 3, 2020
3*
Mais uma obra de PG Woodhouse, desta vez uma das mais antigas. Surpreendentemente este protagonista não é tão agradável ou boa pessoa com habitualmente. Mas continua a ser uma história onde não faltam intrigas, romance e humor.
Ouvido em audiobook.
Mais uma obra de PG Woodhouse, desta vez uma das mais antigas. Surpreendentemente este protagonista não é tão agradável ou boa pessoa com habitualmente. Mas continua a ser uma história onde não faltam intrigas, romance e humor.
Ouvido em audiobook.
May 4, 2025
Okay but not the usual Wodehouse. Being one of his early works, the signature style is yet to show and the humour is less. Also somehow I disliked James Orlebar Cloyster. Unlike his other titles, I don't think I will re-read this.
July 17, 2018
Not Wodehouse at his best.
October 7, 2019
A nice gentle tale that Is a sort of autobiography
A nice structure, told from multiple viewpoints it all makes a nice satisfying whole.
Not funny or exciting but interesting
3 stars
A nice structure, told from multiple viewpoints it all makes a nice satisfying whole.
Not funny or exciting but interesting
3 stars
November 10, 2020
Ikkje toppklasse. Gøyare enn skulesogene, men med mindre sympatiske personar.
February 6, 2023
I did not enjoy this one. All of the characters sort of had the same voice, and they all sort of sucked.
June 29, 2024
A good three but far from Wodehouse's best. The style is different and the main character is a cad...
October 28, 2025
Disappointing, for a PG Wodehouse book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews