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Jeeves & Wooster - Homage to P.G. Wodehouse #2
Jeeves and the Leap of Faith
'A masterpiece in every sense' Daily MailThe Drones club's in peril. Gussie's in love. Spode's on the warpath. And His Majesty's Government needs a favour. Thank goodness Bertie Wooster is back!From the mean streets of Mayfair to the scheming spires of Cambridge, prepare to meet a joyous cast of chiselling painters and criminal bookies, eccentric philosophers and dodgy clairvoyants, appalling poets and pocket dictators, vexatious aunts and their vicious hounds.Have we ever needed Jeeves and Wooster more?
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
September 26, 2020
I received a free digital advance review copy, provided by the publisher via Netgalley.
In the space of one week, Bertie Wooster battles an aunt intent on marrying him off and firing his man Jeeves, helps foil some British fascists, engages in a complicated horse-race betting scheme to save the Drones Club from income tax ruin, masquerades as a clergyman and a female fortune-teller, climbs various college buildings at Cambridge, attempts to defy Jeeves with regard to choice of bedroom wallpaper, becomes entangled in his friends’ love lives, and (gasp) may be falling in love himself. All the while, Jeeves slides about unobtrusively in the background, setting things to right.
Bertie lurches from delight to disaster, from the pleasures of his Drones friends and new lady friend Iona, to the perils of Aunt Agatha and the loathsome Roderick Spode, head of the British Black Shorts. Schott captures Wodehouse’s witty dialog and dizzying plot entanglements well, but there are some departures from Wodehouse’s style. While Wodehouse liked to poke fun at British fascists, he kept things resolutely light and frothy. Schott’s books still ridicule the fascists, but now Bertie and Jeeves are part of a British government group working against Britain’s right wingers. Hearing this, you will not be surprised that Schott’s Bertie has his brain set at higher voltage than Wodehouse’s. He’s no Einstein, but Wodehouse’s Bertie would never be trusted within a mile of an espionage operation.
If you are a Wodehouse fan, you will not mistake this for his work, but it is highly entertaining and should provoke more than the occasional Wodehousian giggle. I am very much looking forward to Schott’s third Bertie and Jeeves, especially since this one ends in a romantic cliffhanger.
In the space of one week, Bertie Wooster battles an aunt intent on marrying him off and firing his man Jeeves, helps foil some British fascists, engages in a complicated horse-race betting scheme to save the Drones Club from income tax ruin, masquerades as a clergyman and a female fortune-teller, climbs various college buildings at Cambridge, attempts to defy Jeeves with regard to choice of bedroom wallpaper, becomes entangled in his friends’ love lives, and (gasp) may be falling in love himself. All the while, Jeeves slides about unobtrusively in the background, setting things to right.
Bertie lurches from delight to disaster, from the pleasures of his Drones friends and new lady friend Iona, to the perils of Aunt Agatha and the loathsome Roderick Spode, head of the British Black Shorts. Schott captures Wodehouse’s witty dialog and dizzying plot entanglements well, but there are some departures from Wodehouse’s style. While Wodehouse liked to poke fun at British fascists, he kept things resolutely light and frothy. Schott’s books still ridicule the fascists, but now Bertie and Jeeves are part of a British government group working against Britain’s right wingers. Hearing this, you will not be surprised that Schott’s Bertie has his brain set at higher voltage than Wodehouse’s. He’s no Einstein, but Wodehouse’s Bertie would never be trusted within a mile of an espionage operation.
If you are a Wodehouse fan, you will not mistake this for his work, but it is highly entertaining and should provoke more than the occasional Wodehousian giggle. I am very much looking forward to Schott’s third Bertie and Jeeves, especially since this one ends in a romantic cliffhanger.
October 12, 2021
Very entertaining second book from this author bringing us a lively plot to be enjoyed with old friends. Aunt Agatha does what she can as usual to spoil the broth, but Jeeves will not be beaten. There is financial trouble at the Drones club; horse racing betting scheme to save the club; wallpaper conflict, crossword fun, Bertie doing "what" ?! regarding taking on a chapel role, girlfriend Iona presenting other problems...and on the fun continues.
The author supplies a set of interesting Notes at the end, as well. Looking forward to book #3.
The author supplies a set of interesting Notes at the end, as well. Looking forward to book #3.
October 6, 2020
At the best of times I love a comic novel, and these have not been the best of times. I really, really needed an entertaining read right now. And I found it in Jeeves and the Leap of Faith, Ben Shott's second homage to P. G. Wodehouse's classic Wooster and Jeeves novels.
Shott brings Wodehouse's eccentric characters back to life, embroiled in a zany and complicated tangled plot of comedic excellence.
Over the course of a week, Bertie evades matrimony, helps save the Drones club from insolvency, goes undercover for the government, battles fascism, challenges Jeeves choice of bedroom wallpaper, and stands up to his formidable Aunt Agatha.
Strange things go on. What's even stranger is that they are based on history! Like the annual Boot-Finding in Spitalfields Market and the Pavement Club, a Cambridge society that sat on the pavement on Saturday afternoons, and the Hysteron Proteron club of Balliol College that in the 1920s spent a day living backward. Also appearing are the night climbers of Cambridge and the daring leap that gives this volume its name.
Throughout the novel, Bertie struggles with the Times crossword puzzle, which is included in the endnotes for readers to solve!
I am fortified with gladness, ready again to face the chaotic world.
I received a free galley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
Shott brings Wodehouse's eccentric characters back to life, embroiled in a zany and complicated tangled plot of comedic excellence.
Over the course of a week, Bertie evades matrimony, helps save the Drones club from insolvency, goes undercover for the government, battles fascism, challenges Jeeves choice of bedroom wallpaper, and stands up to his formidable Aunt Agatha.
Strange things go on. What's even stranger is that they are based on history! Like the annual Boot-Finding in Spitalfields Market and the Pavement Club, a Cambridge society that sat on the pavement on Saturday afternoons, and the Hysteron Proteron club of Balliol College that in the 1920s spent a day living backward. Also appearing are the night climbers of Cambridge and the daring leap that gives this volume its name.
Throughout the novel, Bertie struggles with the Times crossword puzzle, which is included in the endnotes for readers to solve!
I am fortified with gladness, ready again to face the chaotic world.
I received a free galley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
July 10, 2023
He stepped forward. “Can I ask you a question, madam?”
“You may ask me a question,” she corrected, as aunts are contractually obliged.
“Do you believe in God?”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the blood drain so fast from anyone’s face; it was like an avalanche at an abattoir.
“I beg your pardon?”
“God, madam. Are you a fan?”
“A fan? . . . Of the Lord Almighty? . . . How dare you?”
What tremendous fun that was. I liked it much more than Jeeves and the King of Clubs, and perhaps even more than some of the original J&W productions. Jollity and joie de vivre to the appropriate order of Wodehouse, humor and hilarity to rival his own (had me snort-giggling), and enough of a plot to mitigate the risk of boredom that accompanies too much undiluted comedy.
Could have done without the flippancy about potential adultery, but you can’t have everything. My only real qualm (and I’m not committing wholesale to it) is the fact that
Still and yet, however, still and yet – we also get to see Bertie introduce Jeeves to the literary goldmine represented by the Hundred Acre Wood, and that's worth my reading time any day of the week.
So. There, you might say, you are, Jeeves.
December 18, 2020
This was just okay. It's like a few months after the last book was published, Mr Schott and his publishers conducted a poll of their readership to find the bits that people (myself included) so enthusiastically enjoyed and then decided to turn those bits up to 11.
Unfortunately, however, to shoehorn in a seasonal (as I write this) metaphor, you can't entirely construct a Christmas tree from lights and decorations, as eye-catching as they are. You need trunk and branches also and here they are sadly lacking, leaving the story itself permanently teetering on the verge of collapse due to lack of support.
I'll probably read the next one to see if this was a mere aberration or if it was the start of a trend.
Unfortunately, however, to shoehorn in a seasonal (as I write this) metaphor, you can't entirely construct a Christmas tree from lights and decorations, as eye-catching as they are. You need trunk and branches also and here they are sadly lacking, leaving the story itself permanently teetering on the verge of collapse due to lack of support.
I'll probably read the next one to see if this was a mere aberration or if it was the start of a trend.
October 29, 2023
Jeeves and the Leap of Faith is a delightful sequel to Jeeves and the King of Clubs, both hilarious novels written as a homage to the British humorist par excellence, P.G. Wodehouse. Ben Schott has outdone himself creating his second espionage comedic thriller with the affable, rich and decidedly spoiled & pampered Bertram Wooster and his resourceful Gentleman’s Personal Gentleman, Jeeves tackling problems of national import in the university town of Cambridge. Thoroughly entertaining, Schott’s writing is sure to bring a chuckle or two in every page, if you do not laugh outright at the bungling misadventures of Bertie & Jeeves have trying to rescue Drones club from a financial predicament, escape Aunt Agatha’s devious plans to get her nephew hitched, and helping Gussie Fink-Nottle engage and disengage from fickle romantic relationships. Schott has ingeniously left himself room to continue the story with another book. Will he?
February 18, 2021
This was very clever, just like the first one. Bertie seems to depart a little bit more from Wodehouse's original klutzy incompetent than he did in the first book: He's still getting pressed into stealing things, but this time he's doing it by climbing all over the Oxford architecture and doing it successfully, whereas in Wodehouse's world he didn't need to do anything more complicated than stroll in through some French windows and open a safe to which he had been given the combination, and still managed to mess it up. I'm also a bit surprised to learn that Aunt Agatha is in gambling debt, which seems quite unlike her, and her claims that Bertie must dismiss Jeeves also seem unlike her. I think Schott is leaning into the world and making it his own a bit more than in the previous book. BUt, that being said, there are some outstanding scenes: The breakfast with Aunt Agatha would make a brilliant stage play; and the Drones getting locked in a closet during the horse race was outstanding. Iona ruling the croquet pitch was fun, and I quite enjoyed the crossword puzzle theme. Bertie's Latin blessing before the evening meal was superb. Still, other bits of historical accuracy didn't work out so well: The backwards-living club was jammed into the plot and served no purpose, and the nightclimbing theme, while appropriately Wodehousian, doesn't work if Bertie's actually any good at it. It felt like Schott was trying to cram in just a few more details from his research into the period than the book could comfortably hold.
October 22, 2020
Another excellent instalment by Ben Schott. It reads like something from the pen of Wodehouse himself. All the regulars appear, Gussie, Boko, Monty, Madeline Bassett and the despicable Spode and of course the indomitable Aunt Agatha. The plot is so intricate it is a wonder to behold, and I found myself frequently laughing out loud. The twist at the end gives hope that there may be a third Schott offering in the near future.
October 11, 2020
I enjoyed this read - I could visualise the pair and the writing called to mind the original series by P G Woodhouse.
A gentle farcical story which made me smile.
Bertie lurches from one crisis to another and is saved by Jeeves who sets things right quietly in the background.
An entertaining read.
A gentle farcical story which made me smile.
Bertie lurches from one crisis to another and is saved by Jeeves who sets things right quietly in the background.
An entertaining read.
September 23, 2020
4.25 stars
What an absolute joy this was to read. From a few lines it,it had me smiling,just the usual Jeeves and Wooster banter.
But as the storyline got more ridiculous,as every story involving Bertie Wooster does,I had a few laugh out loud moments.
There were so many familiar names and places in this book,that it felt a bit like an old familiar friend.
Very very well done.
What an absolute joy this was to read. From a few lines it,it had me smiling,just the usual Jeeves and Wooster banter.
But as the storyline got more ridiculous,as every story involving Bertie Wooster does,I had a few laugh out loud moments.
There were so many familiar names and places in this book,that it felt a bit like an old familiar friend.
Very very well done.
February 7, 2021
With his first departure from the canon — Jeeves and the King of Clubs — Ben Schott began the transformation of Bertie Wooster from Wodehousian gadabout and loveable dope to wise-cracking playboy and international man of mystery. Now, with this next installment, Jeeves and the Leap of Faith, the process is complete and the result is the anti-Wodehouse.
The Wodehouse formula is to populate absurd situations with eccentric characters and let it all play out for laughs. The anti-Wodehouse is a series of awkward, mainly unrelated clashes of cardboard cutouts — the good guys are all suave and witty and broadmined, and the bad guys are clumsy and dim and venal — and consequently there’s little foundation for comedy. Schott paints himself into a corner in almost every scene, as did Wodehouse, but the difference is that Wodehouse could talk his way back out again. Schott just plods through the wet paint of weak pun.
This second book descends beneath comparison to Wodehouse, leaving only comparison to the first book on which, it would appear, Schott expended his entire capacity to mimic the Wodehouse style. The clumsy, overwrought wordplay that was the occasional worst that could be said about King of Clubs is the narrative mean above which Leap of Faith rarely rises.
The absence of a resolution to King of Clubs is explained, dubiously, by the fact that many of the threads are picked up again here in what appears to be the second part of a trilogy. This would be valuable information to know before beginning the series, if these disparate threads ever conspired to form a plot. Instead, the tumbling spy story which positions a simple-minded Roderick Spode on the side of the fascists and an insipid Jeeves and rehabilitated Wooster seconded to British Intelligence unfolds in a series of clumsy set-pieces, sometimes relevant, sometimes mystifyingly not.
Ben Schott made his name curating miscellany and it shows. Jeeves and the Leap of Faith is a scattered collection of Latin aphorisms, Wodehousian trivia, crossword clues and historical minutiae. Indeed, the inflated appendix is a chapter-by-chapter justification for this mish-mash which is absent in the story itself, and it’s in fact more entertaining.
Please drop in and see the fuller review...
The Wodehouse formula is to populate absurd situations with eccentric characters and let it all play out for laughs. The anti-Wodehouse is a series of awkward, mainly unrelated clashes of cardboard cutouts — the good guys are all suave and witty and broadmined, and the bad guys are clumsy and dim and venal — and consequently there’s little foundation for comedy. Schott paints himself into a corner in almost every scene, as did Wodehouse, but the difference is that Wodehouse could talk his way back out again. Schott just plods through the wet paint of weak pun.
This second book descends beneath comparison to Wodehouse, leaving only comparison to the first book on which, it would appear, Schott expended his entire capacity to mimic the Wodehouse style. The clumsy, overwrought wordplay that was the occasional worst that could be said about King of Clubs is the narrative mean above which Leap of Faith rarely rises.
The absence of a resolution to King of Clubs is explained, dubiously, by the fact that many of the threads are picked up again here in what appears to be the second part of a trilogy. This would be valuable information to know before beginning the series, if these disparate threads ever conspired to form a plot. Instead, the tumbling spy story which positions a simple-minded Roderick Spode on the side of the fascists and an insipid Jeeves and rehabilitated Wooster seconded to British Intelligence unfolds in a series of clumsy set-pieces, sometimes relevant, sometimes mystifyingly not.
Ben Schott made his name curating miscellany and it shows. Jeeves and the Leap of Faith is a scattered collection of Latin aphorisms, Wodehousian trivia, crossword clues and historical minutiae. Indeed, the inflated appendix is a chapter-by-chapter justification for this mish-mash which is absent in the story itself, and it’s in fact more entertaining.
Please drop in and see the fuller review...
March 31, 2021
I have always been a Blandings person when it comes to PG Wodehouse's books. I have the Psmith collection as well, but for some reason, I never actually worked my way through the entire Jeeves set. I have read a few, here and there but not enough to qualify as someone who knows the people in that world.
That said, seeing Bertie Wooster and Jeeves in this avatar has made me curious if I am finally ready to give them a shot again. This reimagined series has Jeeves and Bertie as spies for the crown. I have not read the first book of the series, but given the way this ended, I know that reading this instalment would be a necessity to make sense of the next! Thankfully I felt pretty comfortable reading this without the first.
Like Wodehouse's original works, this begins innocuously enough with debates about crosswords as well as wallpaper. Multiple different problems snake and twist their way around each other, but only some get solved by the time the book ends. Bertie's troublesome aunt and even more troublesome friends and enemies continue to pop up regularly while he tries to do a simple (on the surface) task for his country. It took me a while to get into the groove of it all, but I laughed like I usually do for the original Wodehouse capers once I did. I laughed while waiting to see what would happen to the more serious aspects of the narrative.
I really appreciated the appendix at the end where the author provided not just the details about the places and phrases used with helpful meanings but also indications of why the characters would act in the manner he wrote them in the book based on where they occurred in the original. This felt like reading a whole extra book - in a good way!
I am unsure of how to talk about the book to people who have not read or read and not liked Wodehouse's works, except to say that this is a story of a man and his gentleman's gentleman (who literally runs the show) and in their busy world help pairs of lovebirds (sort of), try to track jewel thieves, stay sane with family around and finally do their best work as spies. It is written in PG Wodehouse's language with twisty sentences, and the underlying sarcasm was fun to unearth.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience as well as my previous affinity to the works of PG Wodehouse.
That said, seeing Bertie Wooster and Jeeves in this avatar has made me curious if I am finally ready to give them a shot again. This reimagined series has Jeeves and Bertie as spies for the crown. I have not read the first book of the series, but given the way this ended, I know that reading this instalment would be a necessity to make sense of the next! Thankfully I felt pretty comfortable reading this without the first.
Like Wodehouse's original works, this begins innocuously enough with debates about crosswords as well as wallpaper. Multiple different problems snake and twist their way around each other, but only some get solved by the time the book ends. Bertie's troublesome aunt and even more troublesome friends and enemies continue to pop up regularly while he tries to do a simple (on the surface) task for his country. It took me a while to get into the groove of it all, but I laughed like I usually do for the original Wodehouse capers once I did. I laughed while waiting to see what would happen to the more serious aspects of the narrative.
I really appreciated the appendix at the end where the author provided not just the details about the places and phrases used with helpful meanings but also indications of why the characters would act in the manner he wrote them in the book based on where they occurred in the original. This felt like reading a whole extra book - in a good way!
I am unsure of how to talk about the book to people who have not read or read and not liked Wodehouse's works, except to say that this is a story of a man and his gentleman's gentleman (who literally runs the show) and in their busy world help pairs of lovebirds (sort of), try to track jewel thieves, stay sane with family around and finally do their best work as spies. It is written in PG Wodehouse's language with twisty sentences, and the underlying sarcasm was fun to unearth.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience as well as my previous affinity to the works of PG Wodehouse.
December 8, 2020
A suitably witty homage to one of the best writers of all time. 4/5 stars.
This review was originally posted on my book blog.
I love P. G. Wodehouse and the Jeeves and Wooster stories in particular. So I was immediately drawn to this new story but also went in with a sizeable concern: could it possibly live up to the beloved Wodehouse originals?
The answer is: nearly. I enjoyed Jeeves and the Leap of Faith very much. To be honest, I think the comic combination of Bertie and Jeeves is indestructible and, as with the originals, the story itself is pretty incidental. All the truly important elements are here: the small sly jokes, the witty turns of phrase, Jeeves' jaw-dropping ability to always see 10 steps ahead, hideous aunts, preposterous friends...
One new element I liked a lot was the appearance of what seems to be a proper love interest for Bertie. And we know she has real potential because Jeeves seems to approve!
Most importantly, it's funny. Once I got into the story it raised a lot of smiles and the odd snort.
Finally, fans of cryptic crosswords have the bonus of a series of clues littered throughout the narrative and the full puzzle in the endnotes (I've never been any good at them - my brain doesn't work that way!).
Overall: this homage to Wodehouse successfully emulates the master's wit and lightness of touch. An amusing diversion and ideal escapist read at the moment.
This review was originally posted on my book blog.
I love P. G. Wodehouse and the Jeeves and Wooster stories in particular. So I was immediately drawn to this new story but also went in with a sizeable concern: could it possibly live up to the beloved Wodehouse originals?
The answer is: nearly. I enjoyed Jeeves and the Leap of Faith very much. To be honest, I think the comic combination of Bertie and Jeeves is indestructible and, as with the originals, the story itself is pretty incidental. All the truly important elements are here: the small sly jokes, the witty turns of phrase, Jeeves' jaw-dropping ability to always see 10 steps ahead, hideous aunts, preposterous friends...
One new element I liked a lot was the appearance of what seems to be a proper love interest for Bertie. And we know she has real potential because Jeeves seems to approve!
Most importantly, it's funny. Once I got into the story it raised a lot of smiles and the odd snort.
Finally, fans of cryptic crosswords have the bonus of a series of clues littered throughout the narrative and the full puzzle in the endnotes (I've never been any good at them - my brain doesn't work that way!).
Overall: this homage to Wodehouse successfully emulates the master's wit and lightness of touch. An amusing diversion and ideal escapist read at the moment.
April 20, 2021
Its necessary to have read at least some of P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster books as well as the first book in this authorized sequel-series, Jeeves and the King of Clubs.
Having done that, you will LOVE this book. Since Schott laid all the groundwork for the espionage in the previous book, he doesn't have to spend as much time explaining all the spies here, and hence has more time to spend on a good old fashioned Jeeves and Wooster style adventure, and he delivers in buckets!
Schott nails the language of the time period and all the details of the era, from clothes to music to gambling to food as well as the lingering Edwardian culture - smashing right into the incoming fascism.
The balance is just right here between the light humor and the darker forces in play. While you root on the plot of nabbing an Italian spy, the highlight of the book is a breakfast-gone-wrong in which about four marriage engagements between about 9 people are made and broken.
November 3, 2020
I did enjoy this book, but the trouble with Ben Schott's Bertie Wooster is that he's too smart. He may not be as smart as Schott, mind you, or of Jeeves (who really plays a secondary role here), but he's a lot smarter than Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster. Maybe he's secretly Bertie's smarter cousin or brother, substituting for Bertie for some unknown reason? But, no--there are other disparities between the real (Wodehousian) world of the Drones club and what Schott gives us here. Bertie continues his work for the Junior Ganymede Club, actually an arm of the Secret Service, at Cambridge (and this has to be the only novel in the Wodehousian world that features Ludwig Wittgenstein as a character), where he's disguised as a clergyman, despite the looming presence of Aunt Agatha and Roderick Spode.
November 30, 2020
meh.... truth be told this did not keep my interest and I kept putting it down after just a few pages so it took me awhile to finish and by the time I got to the end I completely forgot the main plot and why Bertie had to pretend to be a minister and why he was in Cambridge. The dialog and characters in many ways is spot on but ... the plot is slow and for me, the humor, is off -not like the 'original' books.
May 21, 2025
Hilarious! “This is too deliciously too for words.” (Bertie Wooster)
December 21, 2024
I loved the first book in this series and the whole twist to the premise of Bertie and Jeeves, in which it’s revealed that Jeeves is in the employ of Her Majesty’s secret service as part of a network of spies in the most prestigious homes across the country. Bertie is recruited into service and discovers a useful outlet for all his hapless bumbling and a most unexpected development: the kindling of a flame with his love interest Iona, a fellow spy.
Giving Bertie a bit more intelligence, athletic grace and skill, adding to his already redeeming quality of being willing to stand in for a friend in need (or be persuaded to at length!) makes for a more interesting experience, and is essential to making this set up believable if he’s an asset as a spy rather than a liability as he tends to be in the original stories! (Tho it the brilliance of PGW and Jeeves is that Bertie was a known quantity as a blunderer and deployed accordingly in anticipation of those results to great comedic effect.) So that alteration takes some getting used to but is quite refreshing once the reader leans into it.
As far as plot, Bertie is conscripted to go incognito as the Reverend Wooster at Cambridge to foil the dubious plans of a young fascist blackmailer. But rest assured that the caper doesn’t detract from the usual Bertie shenanigans. There are aunts and engagements to be avoided, and aunts with dangerous threatening plans to arrange their own engagements for Bertie. There’s night climbing and croquet for the feminist cause and fortune teller impersonations and awkward dinners and disastrously hilarious breakfasts, mistaken identities, unfortunate UNmistakable recognitions when trying to go incognito, and very important (land) surveillance under way. Not to mention a battle of wills over wallpaper. There’s long shot, complicated, multiple phase bets on horse races to save the beloved Drones Club from the tentacles of the tax man. And vivid descriptions of other sports and drinking traditions of the day to provide color and hilarity.
I did find it a bit harder to get into this one as I was so pleasantly surprised by the first that expectations were much higher this time around. I was hoping for more plot and more focus on the caper and less actual Bertie shenanigans but just have the style and comedic effect applied to an investigation. They are but a tad too tangentially for my liking.
Most impressive is the precision of the writing - the vocabulary, the pacing, the wit, the historical research, the crossword clues cleverly woven in along the way. It’s a stunning accomplishment to write not one but two novels in the style of PWG. Hats off!
Giving Bertie a bit more intelligence, athletic grace and skill, adding to his already redeeming quality of being willing to stand in for a friend in need (or be persuaded to at length!) makes for a more interesting experience, and is essential to making this set up believable if he’s an asset as a spy rather than a liability as he tends to be in the original stories! (Tho it the brilliance of PGW and Jeeves is that Bertie was a known quantity as a blunderer and deployed accordingly in anticipation of those results to great comedic effect.) So that alteration takes some getting used to but is quite refreshing once the reader leans into it.
As far as plot, Bertie is conscripted to go incognito as the Reverend Wooster at Cambridge to foil the dubious plans of a young fascist blackmailer. But rest assured that the caper doesn’t detract from the usual Bertie shenanigans. There are aunts and engagements to be avoided, and aunts with dangerous threatening plans to arrange their own engagements for Bertie. There’s night climbing and croquet for the feminist cause and fortune teller impersonations and awkward dinners and disastrously hilarious breakfasts, mistaken identities, unfortunate UNmistakable recognitions when trying to go incognito, and very important (land) surveillance under way. Not to mention a battle of wills over wallpaper. There’s long shot, complicated, multiple phase bets on horse races to save the beloved Drones Club from the tentacles of the tax man. And vivid descriptions of other sports and drinking traditions of the day to provide color and hilarity.
I did find it a bit harder to get into this one as I was so pleasantly surprised by the first that expectations were much higher this time around. I was hoping for more plot and more focus on the caper and less actual Bertie shenanigans but just have the style and comedic effect applied to an investigation. They are but a tad too tangentially for my liking.
Most impressive is the precision of the writing - the vocabulary, the pacing, the wit, the historical research, the crossword clues cleverly woven in along the way. It’s a stunning accomplishment to write not one but two novels in the style of PWG. Hats off!
December 20, 2020
Without a doubt I am a fan of Jeeves and Wooster, first brought to my attention from the television series with Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie in respective roles. I think it is the only time I have actually gone and read a book (in fact more than one J & W story) after watching the programme.
But to this, a 'homage' to the great Wodehouse with all what you would expect in a tale of Wooster ups and downs, aunts and Gussie Fink-Nottle's, Madeline Bassett's and the Drones Club. If you had a tick list of everything to be included in the book then this ticked all of them.
Having caught up with Schott's first tale I find myself back with Bertie and him being K.C he is called upon a gain to help His Majesty's Government. There are some rather unsavoury sorts in black shorts infiltrating the academic world and we are taken to Cambridge via a swift snifter to catch up with the goings on with at the Drones club.
We encounter the fairy like Madeline Bassett who is uncertain of her current beaus commitment to her and eyes up Bertie from a distance.
Aunt Agatha one of the more feared of Bertie's aunts has a few choice words about his matrimonial status and seeks to rectify it. But when a scheme to perhaps put Aunt Agatha off reveals more than it should it seems Bertie might be able to escape with his status in tact.
Some dodgy turf accountants, taxmen and newt lovers, Bertie finds himself caught up where he doesn't want to be. Though where ever he seems to be so does the delightful Iona who has caught his eye and also that of Jeeves.
Might things be about to change for them all?
This book is spiffing good fun and just the tonic for any dark, down day when you need some spark of light, some chink of normality, because this is as close as we are going to get to new Jeeves and Wooster stories from Wodehouse. I hope there are many more to come.
But to this, a 'homage' to the great Wodehouse with all what you would expect in a tale of Wooster ups and downs, aunts and Gussie Fink-Nottle's, Madeline Bassett's and the Drones Club. If you had a tick list of everything to be included in the book then this ticked all of them.
Having caught up with Schott's first tale I find myself back with Bertie and him being K.C he is called upon a gain to help His Majesty's Government. There are some rather unsavoury sorts in black shorts infiltrating the academic world and we are taken to Cambridge via a swift snifter to catch up with the goings on with at the Drones club.
We encounter the fairy like Madeline Bassett who is uncertain of her current beaus commitment to her and eyes up Bertie from a distance.
Aunt Agatha one of the more feared of Bertie's aunts has a few choice words about his matrimonial status and seeks to rectify it. But when a scheme to perhaps put Aunt Agatha off reveals more than it should it seems Bertie might be able to escape with his status in tact.
Some dodgy turf accountants, taxmen and newt lovers, Bertie finds himself caught up where he doesn't want to be. Though where ever he seems to be so does the delightful Iona who has caught his eye and also that of Jeeves.
Might things be about to change for them all?
This book is spiffing good fun and just the tonic for any dark, down day when you need some spark of light, some chink of normality, because this is as close as we are going to get to new Jeeves and Wooster stories from Wodehouse. I hope there are many more to come.
October 9, 2020
As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot (plenty of reviews like that out there already!).
As a lifelong fan of the esteemed P G Woodhouse, I was in two minds about reading this - I was not entirely sure whether I approved of someone else taking up the pen and attempting to recreate his genius...
I need not have worried. This lively book carried on the great traditions of the Jeeves and Wooster novels. The multi-stranded, unlikely and comedic plot was most entertaining - featuring the usual mix of narrow escapes from matrimony (Bertie); sudden engagements (Bertie's chums): the usual Bertie bumblings and Jeeves-to-the-rescue scenarios; and a cast that included some of our old favourites like Gussie Fink-Nottle (and uber-dragon Aunt Agatha!).
To say that the book lifted my spirits during the current dark days is an understatement - it made me laugh out loud (which startled the cat!).
I understand that there is a previous novel in this series, and will be seeking it out.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC, and to the author for a job well done. All opinions my own.
As a lifelong fan of the esteemed P G Woodhouse, I was in two minds about reading this - I was not entirely sure whether I approved of someone else taking up the pen and attempting to recreate his genius...
I need not have worried. This lively book carried on the great traditions of the Jeeves and Wooster novels. The multi-stranded, unlikely and comedic plot was most entertaining - featuring the usual mix of narrow escapes from matrimony (Bertie); sudden engagements (Bertie's chums): the usual Bertie bumblings and Jeeves-to-the-rescue scenarios; and a cast that included some of our old favourites like Gussie Fink-Nottle (and uber-dragon Aunt Agatha!).
To say that the book lifted my spirits during the current dark days is an understatement - it made me laugh out loud (which startled the cat!).
I understand that there is a previous novel in this series, and will be seeking it out.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC, and to the author for a job well done. All opinions my own.
October 19, 2021
More great fun from Ben Schott. He masterfully recreates Wodehouse's most endearing characters with the wit and charm of the man himself. It is marvelous that Bertie and Jeeves live on!
September 8, 2023
Schott can write like Wodehouse - no small achievement- and he has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Jeeves stories. The book is rightly called an homage. The plot felt a little worn in places, but it’s a good one to race through
January 10, 2024
Fun read.
April 4, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed all the bits with Jeeves.
Thoroughly “eh”-ed the bits with anyone and everyone but Jeeves.
😬
Thoroughly “eh”-ed the bits with anyone and everyone but Jeeves.
😬
May 21, 2021
I considered a lower rating because Bertie is still too smart, there were a few anachronisms and maybe some missed opportunities. But it made me laugh out loud several times. Recommended!
December 27, 2021
A splendid homage to P G Wodehouse. A tonic and a treasure. Highly recommended. For full review go to https://thebooksmithblog.wordpress.com
May 26, 2022
Just the zippy read that I needed ensconced in my covid lair.
May 22, 2024
Even better than the first book. A few episodes such as Spode's arrest and Aunt Agatha with Crawshaw (Jeeves' very temporary replacement) brought tears to my eyes. The ending was SO unexpected and raises hope that there has to be a third book. At this rate I will be trying to give that one six stars!
September 29, 2020
This was exactly the book I needed to read at the moment - delightful and entertaining, light and heart-warming. I felt lost in the world of Bertie and his chums, following their escapades involving everything from secret spy missions to huge bets on the horses to save the Drones club, to avoiding possible fiancees and rescuing Fink-Nottle!
I am by no means a Wodehouse expert, but I've read some of the stories, and I fell completely in love with the characters in the Fry & Laurie TV series. I could hear their voices through this book, and I really feel Schott has captured both the leading characters really well, as well as some of the additional side characters too.
It's an almost calamitous amount of plot and sub-plot, but it's knackily done, and as it caught me unawares at the start with a laugh out loud situation, I found myself caught up in the story and entertained throughout.
The ending comes with a snap and is incomplete, so hopefully that means there is more to come.
I come away from Jeeves & Wooster stories feeling spiffy and wanting to shout 'What Ho!' at people in the street. Maybe the world would be a little cheerier right now if I did.
Thank you to Net Galley for my copy.
I am by no means a Wodehouse expert, but I've read some of the stories, and I fell completely in love with the characters in the Fry & Laurie TV series. I could hear their voices through this book, and I really feel Schott has captured both the leading characters really well, as well as some of the additional side characters too.
It's an almost calamitous amount of plot and sub-plot, but it's knackily done, and as it caught me unawares at the start with a laugh out loud situation, I found myself caught up in the story and entertained throughout.
The ending comes with a snap and is incomplete, so hopefully that means there is more to come.
I come away from Jeeves & Wooster stories feeling spiffy and wanting to shout 'What Ho!' at people in the street. Maybe the world would be a little cheerier right now if I did.
Thank you to Net Galley for my copy.
October 3, 2020
Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
What a treat to get an unexpected sequel to Ben Schott's excellent Jeeves and the King of Clubs.
I'm usually wary of Wodehouse pastiches – anyone wanting to see what bilge they can be might want to consult any recent speech by our beloved PM – but Schott captures the joy of PG's writing. His linguistic dexterity is more than up to the task (this review could easily be a stream of quotes from the book) and he gets the often-unrecognised tightness of Wodehouse's writing. All with a brand new set of japes and angles for Bertie to be drawn into.
Just the thing for dark and gloomy evenings in dark and gloomy times. Top-hole.
What a treat to get an unexpected sequel to Ben Schott's excellent Jeeves and the King of Clubs.
I'm usually wary of Wodehouse pastiches – anyone wanting to see what bilge they can be might want to consult any recent speech by our beloved PM – but Schott captures the joy of PG's writing. His linguistic dexterity is more than up to the task (this review could easily be a stream of quotes from the book) and he gets the often-unrecognised tightness of Wodehouse's writing. All with a brand new set of japes and angles for Bertie to be drawn into.
Just the thing for dark and gloomy evenings in dark and gloomy times. Top-hole.
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