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Blandings Castle #10
Galahad at Blandings
A major mix-up at Blandings Castle, in which Gally introduces yet another imposter to Lord Emsworth's residence and the Empress of Blandings gets sloshed in her sty.
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1964
33 people are currently reading
1230 people want to read
About the author
P.G. Wodehouse
1,680 books6,929 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 217 reviews
January 3, 2023
Galhad comes for a visit!
Galahad Threepwood is Lord Emsworth's charming younger brother and the bane of his sisters' existence. His looks and vitality have somehow only been improved by his years of drinking, smoking, and late nights spent getting into trouble.
In this book, Galahad pokes his nose in at Blandings and stirs up a good amount of dust.
Of course, his charisma carries the day and he not only saves his big brother from an odious marriage but also gets all the right young lovers to the correct altars.
Not my absolute favorite, but it's still something that any Blanding Castle aficionado would enjoy.
Recommended for fans of Wodehouse.
Galahad Threepwood is Lord Emsworth's charming younger brother and the bane of his sisters' existence. His looks and vitality have somehow only been improved by his years of drinking, smoking, and late nights spent getting into trouble.
In this book, Galahad pokes his nose in at Blandings and stirs up a good amount of dust.
Of course, his charisma carries the day and he not only saves his big brother from an odious marriage but also gets all the right young lovers to the correct altars.
Not my absolute favorite, but it's still something that any Blanding Castle aficionado would enjoy.
Recommended for fans of Wodehouse.
June 30, 2013
P.G. Wodehouse je britanski Nušić... Kao što postoji osoba s Balkana koja nije čitala i volela Nušića tako ne postoji osoba s engleskog govornog područja koja nije pročitala makar neku Vudhausovu knjigu... Ovo je prva njegova knjiga koju sam kupila i pročitala i kupio me je za ceo život... Koliko sam mogla uspela sam da zarazim i neke ljude iz moje okoline... Sjajan vrcav humor, i iako govori o Britancima, njihovim navikama i stilu života osvojio je čitaoce širom sveta... Najpoznatiji serijal knjiga mu je o Dživsu i Vusteru (sjajna ekranizacija s maestralnim Hjuom Lorijem i Stivenom Frajom) a meni lično najdraži je serijal o Blandings Castle (nedavno su Britanci uradili i seriju po tim knjigama)... To je jedini pisac koga mogu da čitam do 101 i nazad i da uvek iznova uživam (inače nikad ne čitam neku knjigu dva puta)... MUST READ! MUST READ! Knjige mu nemaju više od 150-200 strana i gutaju se u dahu... Još ne gubim nadu da ću naći izdavača... Dva puta sam bila na ivici da mi to pođe za rukom... Doduše, nekadašnji izdavač Puna kuća objavila je pre desetak godina 3 naslova na srpski, i dobri su prevodi...
March 18, 2015
I have a theory that early in 1881 God looked down upon the earth and had mercy. He saw the 20th century nearing its dawn and knew, of course, what calamities and cruelties awaited mankind: world wars, genocide, tyrannies unbound. He knew we were to be a people desperately in need of laughter. And so, that October, God gave us P.G. Wodehouse. What a gift!
He just makes me happy, this Wodehouse fellow. To return again to Blandings is to take a deep breath of something wholly comforting, yet also to plunge headfirst into something deliciously bracing. These books are similar enough not to withstand much in the way of binge-reading; however, spaced delicately apart, they become oases of reassuringly madcap hilarity, aye, and certain they are to heal the weary soul and lift a troubled heart.
Galahad Threepwood, denizen of Blandings Castle, younger son, wastrel, and rogue is the driving force behind most of the plot in this one. He juggles the many trials and deceptions of the many young couples under his spell with elegance and ease, and it is no spoiler to say that everything comes out just right in the end.
For any fan of Wodehouse, it is a no-brainer to say that this is one of his reliable diversions and an excellent choice to while away a few hours. For those who do not yet know the magic of the 20th century's greatest comic writer, pick up this volume or any of the other ninety-odd and you cannot go wrong. Just get on with it already. The 21st century has its own woes to drown in Wodehouse.
He just makes me happy, this Wodehouse fellow. To return again to Blandings is to take a deep breath of something wholly comforting, yet also to plunge headfirst into something deliciously bracing. These books are similar enough not to withstand much in the way of binge-reading; however, spaced delicately apart, they become oases of reassuringly madcap hilarity, aye, and certain they are to heal the weary soul and lift a troubled heart.
Galahad Threepwood, denizen of Blandings Castle, younger son, wastrel, and rogue is the driving force behind most of the plot in this one. He juggles the many trials and deceptions of the many young couples under his spell with elegance and ease, and it is no spoiler to say that everything comes out just right in the end.
For any fan of Wodehouse, it is a no-brainer to say that this is one of his reliable diversions and an excellent choice to while away a few hours. For those who do not yet know the magic of the 20th century's greatest comic writer, pick up this volume or any of the other ninety-odd and you cannot go wrong. Just get on with it already. The 21st century has its own woes to drown in Wodehouse.
September 5, 2024
But obviously all that's the matter is that she's been on the toot of a lifetime. That pig is plastered.
Another adorable entry in the divine Blandings series. Opening, unusually, in a New York prison cell, this shows us Gally at his best as he smoothes three sets of young lovers, brings another imposter to the castle, navigates a formidable woman who'd like to marry Lord Em, and deals efficiently with a drunken Empress. We also finally get to meet Augustus Whipple, the author of Lord Em's constant reading companion: 'On the Care of the Pig'. As ever, PGW keeps the hectic chaos coming and unravels it all with aplomb.
August 3, 2012
Recently on the Late Late Show, Craig Ferguson was asked what he thought was the best book by P.G. Wodehouse. I would have thought that an impossible question, since they're all very high quality and very much alike. But with only a little hesitation he answered "Galahad at Blandings." Inspired by that, I got it from the library, and of the Wodehouse I've read, I'd have to agree with him. It is certainly the best plotted, with about eight intertwined plot threads, each filled with complications, all coming to crises in the last pages, and all miraculously solved to the good by the intrepid Galahad Threepwood. Galahad is apparently a Wodehouse regular, but I'd never met him before. He is a wonderful character, a man "rather wild in his youth," now in his fifties, who thrives on tobacco, alcohol, camaraderie, and very little sleep. He is quick, witty, a shameless liar, good-hearted, and utterly likeable. His efforts to be helpful often backfire; but undaunted, he continues to manipulate all the other characters, and eventually everything comes out just fine. Overbearing, dragon-like aunts are utterly routed, a horrible little boy gets what he deserves, feuding young lovers are blissfully reunited, the pig recovers from her terrible hangover(!) to eat healthily once again, debts are paid, the Empire is solid, and all is right with the world. I have recently read two Wodehouse novels, one written in his mid twenties, this one when he was eighty-one. It is the best so far.
September 6, 2024
I've been reading the Blandings series in order and am discovering the odd volume that is totally new to me, and which included this, the tenth in the series.
These books are ridiculously formulaic and yet the formula never fails. This time it's Gally coming to the aid of star crossed lovers and in spite of his sister the even-more-intimidating-than-Constance Lady Hermione Wedge.
This time round the Empresess of Blandings gets drunk, Gally smuggles in another imposter into the castle, Clarence is in danger of getting married, Tippy loses all his money (or does he?), Beech's watch gets stolen, and plenty more besides.
It's a delight from start to finish.
4/5
In Galahad at Blandings, Lord Emsworth's idyllic demesne, Blandings Castle, is as usual overrun with overbearing sisters, overefficient secretaries, and the lovestruck; even worse, an alleged old flame has appeared, determined to put an end to the Earl's peaceful, pig-loving existence. All Galahad's genius is required to sort things out satisfactorily.
These books are ridiculously formulaic and yet the formula never fails. This time it's Gally coming to the aid of star crossed lovers and in spite of his sister the even-more-intimidating-than-Constance Lady Hermione Wedge.
This time round the Empresess of Blandings gets drunk, Gally smuggles in another imposter into the castle, Clarence is in danger of getting married, Tippy loses all his money (or does he?), Beech's watch gets stolen, and plenty more besides.
It's a delight from start to finish.
4/5
In Galahad at Blandings, Lord Emsworth's idyllic demesne, Blandings Castle, is as usual overrun with overbearing sisters, overefficient secretaries, and the lovestruck; even worse, an alleged old flame has appeared, determined to put an end to the Earl's peaceful, pig-loving existence. All Galahad's genius is required to sort things out satisfactorily.
January 1, 2024
What a great way to start the year in finishing a PG Wodehouse. Galahad or Gally once again comes to the rescue. Clarence happily manages to rid himself of the three woman threatening his idyllic existence.
The Empress gets sloshed. The word play is brilliant and hilarious.
‘Gally, who was given to homely similes, thought she was madder than a wet hen, and he was right. Only an exceptionally emotional hen when unusually moist could have exhibited an equal annoyance. ‘
The Empress gets sloshed. The word play is brilliant and hilarious.
‘Gally, who was given to homely similes, thought she was madder than a wet hen, and he was right. Only an exceptionally emotional hen when unusually moist could have exhibited an equal annoyance. ‘
May 9, 2019
Just plain fun. This was a good one, on the high end. Listened to it again in 2019. Still just plain fun.
June 11, 2025
Such a romp! As is usual, the plot is absolutely convoluted. But that's part of the genius of Galahad...I mean Wodehouse. He can oil out of any corner.
February 13, 2023
A weekend with Wodehouse is a weekend well-spent.
~ esp. if the time is taken up with the author at his best. ~ as in this novel. Of course, P.G. is almost always at his best. Even his 'worst' seems close to his best; examples of a 'slump' appear to be only a slight dip in effervescence. For a lesser comic novelist, a 'slump' of that kind is something devoutly to be wished.
At the time he wrote 'Galahad at Blandings' (1965), Wodehouse had been publishing works since 1902; roughly a book a year, sometimes two. The only real gap was that dreadful period (1941-1945) during which he faced the worst experience of his life: being falsely pegged as a Nazi collaborator.
Wodehouse wrote 'GAB' when he was in his early 80s, yet it reads like the work of a much younger writer. He seems to have learned even more about economic writing as he progressed. The chapters here feel leaner than usual; that was already a trait he had well-established. A heightened sense of speed can also be found; more than before, characters tend to dash off suddenly with particularly impassioned purpose.
The novel's protagonist - The Hon. Galahad 'Gally' Threepwood - is (no doubt not only to me) a beloved regular in the author's 'Blandings Castle' series. Either I'd forgotten how verbose he could be or, here, he has pushed that characteristic up a notch. He seems to be forever going off on free-form "~ which reminds me of the time when..." tangents that augment his lovable nature.
There is perhaps less here on plot. The story relies heavily on features well-known to Wodehouse fans: misunderstandings, identity theft, couples needing to be solidified as such, dunderhead relatives, and a few other farcical elements of which P.G. was fond.
But what keeps the proceedings afloat, again, is the buoyant language that Wodehouse seems to have invented. Characters in a Wodehouse romp speak in a way you're not likely to find elsewhere. His singular wit is like gentle lightning.
In the days we're currently living in, a Wodehouse book is a precious thing indeed. He makes confusion and conflict entertaining, while simultaneously offering up a mildly eccentric but refreshingly optimistic point-of-view.
~ esp. if the time is taken up with the author at his best. ~ as in this novel. Of course, P.G. is almost always at his best. Even his 'worst' seems close to his best; examples of a 'slump' appear to be only a slight dip in effervescence. For a lesser comic novelist, a 'slump' of that kind is something devoutly to be wished.
At the time he wrote 'Galahad at Blandings' (1965), Wodehouse had been publishing works since 1902; roughly a book a year, sometimes two. The only real gap was that dreadful period (1941-1945) during which he faced the worst experience of his life: being falsely pegged as a Nazi collaborator.
Wodehouse wrote 'GAB' when he was in his early 80s, yet it reads like the work of a much younger writer. He seems to have learned even more about economic writing as he progressed. The chapters here feel leaner than usual; that was already a trait he had well-established. A heightened sense of speed can also be found; more than before, characters tend to dash off suddenly with particularly impassioned purpose.
The novel's protagonist - The Hon. Galahad 'Gally' Threepwood - is (no doubt not only to me) a beloved regular in the author's 'Blandings Castle' series. Either I'd forgotten how verbose he could be or, here, he has pushed that characteristic up a notch. He seems to be forever going off on free-form "~ which reminds me of the time when..." tangents that augment his lovable nature.
There is perhaps less here on plot. The story relies heavily on features well-known to Wodehouse fans: misunderstandings, identity theft, couples needing to be solidified as such, dunderhead relatives, and a few other farcical elements of which P.G. was fond.
But what keeps the proceedings afloat, again, is the buoyant language that Wodehouse seems to have invented. Characters in a Wodehouse romp speak in a way you're not likely to find elsewhere. His singular wit is like gentle lightning.
In the days we're currently living in, a Wodehouse book is a precious thing indeed. He makes confusion and conflict entertaining, while simultaneously offering up a mildly eccentric but refreshingly optimistic point-of-view.
March 5, 2021
"'Tell me,' said Gally, abandoning a painful subject, 'about you and Sam. What I saw gave me the impression that your hearts were no longer sundered. Correct?'I thought that I had read all of the Blandings books, but after doing a bit of research online, I discovered among Plum's vast bibliography two works that I hadn't yet read: Galahad at Blandings and Heavy Weather. I just finished reading the former, which was lovely and among the best of Wodehouse. Now I look forward to reading the latter, which will probably happen sooner than I intend.
'Quite correct.'
'Excellent. What was it the poet said about lovers' reconciliations?'
'I don't know.'
'Nor do I, but it was probably something pretty good.'" (176)
August 19, 2022
É perfeito. Vou ler outros livros agora, mas na verdade só quero voltar para este livro.
April 7, 2017
Another fun entry in the Blandings series.
March 7, 2021
Wodehouse was one of my favourites in my high school years, and I have returned to him at many points between in the decades between then and now. It's been a while, though, and I picked up an audio version of Galahad at Blandings with a note to myself that I would be happy to get even one laugh out of it, just for old times' sake. I crossed the bar of one laugh very early on, and got many more. The magic still works.
I grew up reading the vintage Penguin editions, borrowed from a small library. This was in a small town in the Eastern part of India, incidentally. The iconic cover art was by "Ionicus", and the back cover text had an endorsement from Evelyn Waugh, which this article refers to. The two key words are, of course, "idyllic world".
The reader of the audiobook added some value by giving voice to some challenging shrieks, which were occasioned by events beyond Gally's control. Of course, it all ends unbelievably well. All you have to do is suspend disbelief and not be a snob.
A very valuable work for all time. Especially valuable in 2021.
I grew up reading the vintage Penguin editions, borrowed from a small library. This was in a small town in the Eastern part of India, incidentally. The iconic cover art was by "Ionicus", and the back cover text had an endorsement from Evelyn Waugh, which this article refers to. The two key words are, of course, "idyllic world".
The reader of the audiobook added some value by giving voice to some challenging shrieks, which were occasioned by events beyond Gally's control. Of course, it all ends unbelievably well. All you have to do is suspend disbelief and not be a snob.
A very valuable work for all time. Especially valuable in 2021.
June 13, 2015
I'm amazed that there exists a novel about Galahad that I haven't read, considering that he's one of my personals favorites of Wodehouse's creations. "Gally's eyebrows rose, but such was his personal magnetism that the monocle remained in place." Quite. I had not yet made the acquaintance of Lady Hermoine Wedge either, so that was quite the treat. "She was short and stumpy and looked like a cook - in her softer moods a cook well satisfied with her latest soufflé; when stirred to anger a cook about to give notice; but always a cook of strong character." And because everything in my life right now revolves around the concept of sobriety, of course this book would contain, among other things, the suggestion that the Empress needs to go to Alcoholics Anonymous. Salud!
July 2, 2014
Just so fun. Such laid back beautiful summer reading.
--
"As they made their way to the buttercup-dabbled meadow in a corner of which the Empress's self-contained flat was situated, Gally enlivened their progress with the story of the girl who said to her betrothed, 'I will not be dictated to!' and then went and got a job as a stenographer..." (79)
--
--
"As they made their way to the buttercup-dabbled meadow in a corner of which the Empress's self-contained flat was situated, Gally enlivened their progress with the story of the girl who said to her betrothed, 'I will not be dictated to!' and then went and got a job as a stenographer..." (79)
--
February 12, 2018
Another delightful farce by Wodehouse, and my first at Blandings Castle. We have a fabulous cast of colourful family members, a soused sow, mixed up identities, love, coppers and more. I have to say that while Right Ho, Jeeves has been my favourite Wodehouse (due in large part to the brilliant audio recording), over all I like Blandings a great deal, that and The Luck of the Bodkins are my two second favourite of his books that I've read so far. I guess Wooster got boring for me after one or two books.
February 28, 2022
Galahad Threepwood, Lord Emsworth’s younger, more outrageous brother, comes to Blandings Castle to stir up more mischief, bring together hearts, and facilitate at least one case of mistaken identity.
Similar to previous books, this one has a wide cast of eccentric characters and quite a few precipitous relationships hanging delicately in the balance. In the midst of all this is Gally, who has his hands full in making engagements, breaking engagements, and leading the cops on a wild goose chase. The Empress is only slightly more than a cameo here, with one pivotal role at the very end.
Some of the incidents and directions the subplots were taking brought up my old complaint of Wodehouse needlessly complicating matters, to the point where it loses any aspect of humor and becomes plain exasperating. However, there were only rare circumstances of this happening, and on a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed the various mix-ups, the impossible strings connecting different characters, and most of all the descriptions and dialogues between them. A master at humorous descriptions of people and their surroundings, Wodehouse, as usual, expertly managed to paint a vivid picture of every scene. This was undoubtedly the best part, making it an extremely fast read.
In my eyes, with Wodehouse books, the plots always come second, with the relaxed atmosphere and ✨sparkling✨ conversation taking up the first place by a good mile. In those respects, this book ranks very high on my list!
Similar to previous books, this one has a wide cast of eccentric characters and quite a few precipitous relationships hanging delicately in the balance. In the midst of all this is Gally, who has his hands full in making engagements, breaking engagements, and leading the cops on a wild goose chase. The Empress is only slightly more than a cameo here, with one pivotal role at the very end.
Some of the incidents and directions the subplots were taking brought up my old complaint of Wodehouse needlessly complicating matters, to the point where it loses any aspect of humor and becomes plain exasperating. However, there were only rare circumstances of this happening, and on a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed the various mix-ups, the impossible strings connecting different characters, and most of all the descriptions and dialogues between them. A master at humorous descriptions of people and their surroundings, Wodehouse, as usual, expertly managed to paint a vivid picture of every scene. This was undoubtedly the best part, making it an extremely fast read.
In my eyes, with Wodehouse books, the plots always come second, with the relaxed atmosphere and ✨sparkling✨ conversation taking up the first place by a good mile. In those respects, this book ranks very high on my list!
March 10, 2017
Nine reasons I can read Wodehouse’s Blandings series again and again:
1. There will always be Lord Emsworth, fluffy-headed, vague, besotted with his pig and beleaguered by female relatives.
2. The Empress is a charmer. And, for someone who stays pretty much safely ensconced in a sty (other than on the occasional jaunt when she’s kidnapped), is more often than not at the centre of things.
3. There will always be at least one pair of sundered hearts that need to be brought together. Mostly, there will be more.
4. At any given time, there will be a minimum of one impostor on the premises. An impostor, moreover, who’s rarely had the chance to perfect their act.
5. Gally, as always will be spreading sweetness and light, without any qualms about unscrupulousness in the process.
6. There will be Beach. There will be footmen. Maids. And a pig man (or, as in the case of Monica Simmons, pig girl).
7. It will all be held together by a thoroughly complex plot, with nearly everybody having something they can use to hold someone else to ransom, for whatever motive. This something could be anything from scandalous memoirs to a prize-winning sow, to a diamond necklace. To a fatal letter.
8. There will be mentions, at least, if not actual appearances of, other characters of the Wodehouse canon: members of the Drones, for instance. You’re always among friends.
9. And it will all be written in Wodehouse’s absolutely inimitable style:
‘My woman!’ he bellowed in a tone somewhat reminiscent of a costermonger calling attention to his brussels sprouts. and
Wilfred goggled. Years of association with her had left him with no doubt as to his Aunt Hermione being a pretty hardboiled egg, but he had never suspected her of quite such twenty-minutes-in-the-saucepan-ness as this.
Galahad at Blandings ticks, as one would expect, all the boxes. The sundered (or yet to be joined) hearts here are of Tipton Plimsoll and Veronica Wedge, about to wed (if only, as Lord Emsworth lets the Wedges know, Tippy hadn’t just lost his last dime in the Stock Exchange crash); of Wilfred Allsop and Monica Simmons, whom Wilfred cannot summon up the courage to propose to; and of Sam Bagshott, whose fiancée Sandy Callender—currently pesky secretary to His Lordship—has flung his ring at his face because they couldn’t see eye to eye about a syndicate that involved betting on whether Tipton Plimsoll would get married this time around…
Plus, there’s the domineering Dame Daphne Winkworth, whom Lord Emsworth, in an indiscreet youth, had been engaged to, and who is now actively seeking a renewal of supposed affections, much to our earl’s alarm.
In steps Gally, and it’s suddenly battle stations, with everybody from a pair of village constables to a boy intent on letting the Empress out of her sty for a run, joining in the goings-on at Blandings.
A humdinger of a book, light and frothy and just what the doctor ordered.
1. There will always be Lord Emsworth, fluffy-headed, vague, besotted with his pig and beleaguered by female relatives.
2. The Empress is a charmer. And, for someone who stays pretty much safely ensconced in a sty (other than on the occasional jaunt when she’s kidnapped), is more often than not at the centre of things.
3. There will always be at least one pair of sundered hearts that need to be brought together. Mostly, there will be more.
4. At any given time, there will be a minimum of one impostor on the premises. An impostor, moreover, who’s rarely had the chance to perfect their act.
5. Gally, as always will be spreading sweetness and light, without any qualms about unscrupulousness in the process.
6. There will be Beach. There will be footmen. Maids. And a pig man (or, as in the case of Monica Simmons, pig girl).
7. It will all be held together by a thoroughly complex plot, with nearly everybody having something they can use to hold someone else to ransom, for whatever motive. This something could be anything from scandalous memoirs to a prize-winning sow, to a diamond necklace. To a fatal letter.
8. There will be mentions, at least, if not actual appearances of, other characters of the Wodehouse canon: members of the Drones, for instance. You’re always among friends.
9. And it will all be written in Wodehouse’s absolutely inimitable style:
‘My woman!’ he bellowed in a tone somewhat reminiscent of a costermonger calling attention to his brussels sprouts. and
Wilfred goggled. Years of association with her had left him with no doubt as to his Aunt Hermione being a pretty hardboiled egg, but he had never suspected her of quite such twenty-minutes-in-the-saucepan-ness as this.
Galahad at Blandings ticks, as one would expect, all the boxes. The sundered (or yet to be joined) hearts here are of Tipton Plimsoll and Veronica Wedge, about to wed (if only, as Lord Emsworth lets the Wedges know, Tippy hadn’t just lost his last dime in the Stock Exchange crash); of Wilfred Allsop and Monica Simmons, whom Wilfred cannot summon up the courage to propose to; and of Sam Bagshott, whose fiancée Sandy Callender—currently pesky secretary to His Lordship—has flung his ring at his face because they couldn’t see eye to eye about a syndicate that involved betting on whether Tipton Plimsoll would get married this time around…
Plus, there’s the domineering Dame Daphne Winkworth, whom Lord Emsworth, in an indiscreet youth, had been engaged to, and who is now actively seeking a renewal of supposed affections, much to our earl’s alarm.
In steps Gally, and it’s suddenly battle stations, with everybody from a pair of village constables to a boy intent on letting the Empress out of her sty for a run, joining in the goings-on at Blandings.
A humdinger of a book, light and frothy and just what the doctor ordered.
August 10, 2022
Early Friday, a couple of gents from church came to haul away my dead fridge to the dump in time for the new fridge to be delivered today. Not long after they left, I got a text from Home Depot saying that delivery would be delayed to Friday the 12th! Not only was the prospect of another whole week of fridgelessness unappealing, but I won't be home next Friday. So...change of plans. Up I leapt to head to the appliance store. But first I needed the right book to support me through the craziness of switching to plan B, and another Wodehouse seemed just the ticket. One I had it downloaded, I dashed off too see if Deranleau's (appliance store) had the right size and color in stock. The price tag (including delivery, it was $230 more than the Home Depot one) was painful, and they couldn't deliver till Monday (which would mean missing book group) but it had to be done, so it was did. Back home I went. And found another text from Home Depot: "Out for delivery." WHAT??? I called them in confusion. Yep, it was on the truck and arriving a day early. So I called Deranleau's very apologetic, and they were very gracious and took care of cancelling the order over the phone. Next up was three trips to Spence (hardware store), Howard Hughes (another appliance store), and Spence again till I found something that would allow me to plug in the new fridge, because the plug was just different enough from the old plug not to fit where the old plug fit. Then I posted my success online, and folks freaked out and told me it would melt and I shouldn't have the freezer and fridge on the same breaker, but by then I was done for the day (waaaaaaay done) and had crawled into bed. Good ol' P.G. had kept me plenty cheerful throughout (and, under his influence, I dropped not one but two scriptural allusions at the hardware store), but not even he could magically cure my physical decrepitude.
I've always liked the Blandings books the best, and this one did not break the pattern. Good stuff!
I've always liked the Blandings books the best, and this one did not break the pattern. Good stuff!
June 24, 2022
Another winner from the seemingly endless supply of great Wodehouse books. PGW is really a wonder to behold. There may not have been as many quotable and hilarious zingers here as in some of my favorite Bertie and Jeeves books, but even if I didn’t laugh out loud as often I still had a smile on my face the whole way through.
June 21, 2008
This is not the story of the girl who said to her betrothed ‘I will not be dictated to!’ and then went and got a job as a stenographer, it is rather the ninth Blandings novel continuing the saga with the characters Timpson Plimsoll and Veronica Hermoine whom we previously met in ‘Full Moon’. Once again Galahad Threepwood must re-unite them as well as bringing wedding bells to his nephew Wilfred Allsop and Sam Bagshott whom have fallen in love respectively with Lord Emsworth’s pig girl Monica Simmons and secretary Sandy Callender.
Blandings Castle which, as has been noted previously, has imposters in much the same way other Castles have mice and here is no exception with Sam appearing as legendary pig authority Augustus Whipple, author of ‘The Care of the Pig’. The Butler, Beach, is aware of the deception but initially struggles to be taken seriously.
And so mistaken identity and misunderstanding build this into a typical Wodehouse farce which leaves us gasping as Galahad manages to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s before the sun sets on Blandings.
Blandings Castle which, as has been noted previously, has imposters in much the same way other Castles have mice and here is no exception with Sam appearing as legendary pig authority Augustus Whipple, author of ‘The Care of the Pig’. The Butler, Beach, is aware of the deception but initially struggles to be taken seriously.
And so mistaken identity and misunderstanding build this into a typical Wodehouse farce which leaves us gasping as Galahad manages to dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s before the sun sets on Blandings.
November 7, 2018
For me Galahad's continual meddling to fix things, which always worked, made the book less fun than other Wodehouse offerings. Part of the joy of Wodehouse is seeing how the characters' stumbles land them in the right spot for a fortuitous bit of action that helps wrap everything up. This book had precious little of that.
March 29, 2018
This was my first Wodehouse novel. This is the stuff of thirties screwball comedies, with the complexity of a Shakespeare comedy. The humor is situational, with some wordplay and the sort of class playfulness that was part of the depression era.
I'll read others. Whimsical and fun.
I'll read others. Whimsical and fun.
March 25, 2017
Brinkmanship is filled with delightful characters in a hopeless tangle in which the titular Galahad remains cool-headed throughout a fast-paced comedy of errors and unwinds the Gordian knot of his family's hilariously interwoven conundra.
I loved this book from start to finish. I am not a fan of the Jeeves titles; having read a few and also some of Wodehouse's short stories I generally find the humor rather trying and the dialogue frustrating, swimming about lazily in plots thin as stone soup. However, the Brinkmanship of Galahad Threepwood has completely renewed my interest in Wodehouse. It is laugh out loud funny, un-put-downable, and thick with well-crafted and memorable witticisms.
It would almost spoil it for me to read any further adventures of the Blandings chronicles (at any rate I shall let the flavor linger for a long while before attempting) but I can readily and heartily recommend this late ('64) great Wodehouse novel to anyone and everyone - especially those who think they don't quite like Wodehouse - for they will be the most pleasantly surprised of all.
I loved this book from start to finish. I am not a fan of the Jeeves titles; having read a few and also some of Wodehouse's short stories I generally find the humor rather trying and the dialogue frustrating, swimming about lazily in plots thin as stone soup. However, the Brinkmanship of Galahad Threepwood has completely renewed my interest in Wodehouse. It is laugh out loud funny, un-put-downable, and thick with well-crafted and memorable witticisms.
It would almost spoil it for me to read any further adventures of the Blandings chronicles (at any rate I shall let the flavor linger for a long while before attempting) but I can readily and heartily recommend this late ('64) great Wodehouse novel to anyone and everyone - especially those who think they don't quite like Wodehouse - for they will be the most pleasantly surprised of all.
June 26, 2019
Hilarious out of the world super duper book. I laughed so much while reading this book that my family would stare at me and ask what’s so funny as none of them are wodehouse fans.
Coming to the story I just loved loved lord Emsworth in this book he was a top hat exploring America for the first time and his surprise at tea being served in tea bags... his reactions were hilarious and the story gets funnier as he returns back to blandings and the fun continues.
Galahad at his usual best bringing love birds together clearing their mis understandings and uniting them.
Overall a top hat book not to be missed by anyone for that matter....
Coming to the story I just loved loved lord Emsworth in this book he was a top hat exploring America for the first time and his surprise at tea being served in tea bags... his reactions were hilarious and the story gets funnier as he returns back to blandings and the fun continues.
Galahad at his usual best bringing love birds together clearing their mis understandings and uniting them.
Overall a top hat book not to be missed by anyone for that matter....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2016
What a delightful comedy of errors. Galahad, Lord Emsworth's brother is trying to patch up a host of misunderstandings - Sam and Sandy's broken hearts, Tipton and Veronica's about-to-break engagement, Wilfred and Monica's love life, Beach's grudge against Sam for the accidentally stolen prize watch, saving Lord Emsworth from Dame Daphne Winkworth and her son Huxley, finding Wilfred a job, oh there are so many things to fix. But Galahad is up to all of it. His smooth-talking and raconteur skills save the day for a lot of people, and the readers get a riotous laugh on every page.
July 4, 2012
Just finished reading this aloud as a family in the evenings. Pure unadulterated joy and hilarity! If I could give it 100 stars, I would. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Blandings Castle. I love Jeeves and Bertie, but if I had to choose, I'd always pick Gally Theepwood and Clarence at Blandings. Oh yes.... and the lovable and large Empress of Blandings..... the pig!
February 4, 2008
I'd say 90% of the people that visit Blandings Castle are imposters.
June 22, 2015
For me not Jeeves and Wooster. Not enough bellly ache laughter. Although when I did laugh it was long and out loud. A good old dated farce, that Wodehouse fans would love.
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