Reading the 20th Century discussion

Here we are, unaccountably, at no. 10 of the divine Blandings series already and - hurrah! - my favourite Gally looks to be centre stage:

Galahad Threepwood must sort things out for his brother, Lord Emsworth, whose home, Blandings Castle, is overrun with overbearing sisters, over efficient secretaries, and the lovelorn in this tale from one of England’s greatest comic writers.

Everyone is welcome to visit the sunny world of Blandings Castle!

Thanks for setting up the thread RC


I'm going in right now - what deep joy...



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.

Ooh, an old flame ❤️! That wasn't in the blurb of my edition. I'm hoping we get a glimpse of Connie too.

I'll probably make a start tomorrow.

Well fry me for an oyster, if this doesn't start in a NY prison cell with Tippy Plimsoll. I do like him and beautiful-but-dim Vee, and her mother Hermione who gets mistaken for a cook.

And yay, Connie's wedding. I do hope we get to see her

Yes. I’m still in the prison with Tippy

Oh this is looking like it'll be one of the best! Not sure where you are so will just say three words: Dame Daphne Winkworth 🤣

... and the Oil of Emsworth!

I'm only on chapter two having not had the opportunity to progress today

Indian love lyrics 🤩


The mind boggles


A quick search and…..

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/8197/...

Clarence relating the tale of Tipton's phone call is wonderful. It genius relies on Clarence's vagueness about all except the basic facts and a few extraneous and irrelevant details.

Hermione and Egbert Wedge becoming increasingly appalled is peak Wodehouse

What a storyteller

Nigeyb wrote: "What a storyteller"

Can't argue with that! This is peak Wodehouse, a joy to behold. I'm about halfway through and don't want it to end.

Closing in on the ending now


Great stuff

But you know that

Me too, about 20 pages to go - Dame Daphne Winkworth seems a wasted character after all her potential but otherwise definitely one of the best.

I'm done - and the full five stars from me ❤️

Hurrah


I'll finish it tomorrow I expect

Just finished


Capital, capital…..

I really wanted an encounter between Dame Daphne where she is coyly but firmly making a play for Lord Em while he cowers bonelessly in his chair getting redder and more awkward with his pinz nez dangling hopelessly around... But it was not to be 🤣

Yes. Me too. As you mentioned, a missed opportunity. The set up suggested some wonderful comedic possibilities. Ah well. Another winner though that stuck resolutely to the tried and tested formula

A delight....


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

And somehow the formula just adds to the delight as we know what will happen but enjoy it all anyway. I'd love to know Gally - I'd go out on a toot in Soho with him!

Absolutely - an incredible level of consistency from PGW over many decades

Finally getting to start this. Like wriggling into a comfy blanket with a mug of cocoa by my side.

Exactly that 👏🏻


Looking forward to your reaction

Just starting chapter five. I love the laying down of the threads at the beginning. They are familiar threads: the characters, the thwarted romance, the misinformation or assumed identities. All set out in preparation of the weaving about to begin!

I completely agree that while the formula is the same, anticipation is part of the delight in these stories.