Welcome to the paperback trails. On our 11th trailstop, we will explore the flagship works of one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century. Sir Wodehouse's contribution to English literature is often compared to the likes of Shakespeare and Mark Twain. This alone puts him in the uppermost echelon of literary giants.
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse was one of the most widely read humourists of the 20th century. Wodehousian works had the uncanny combination of sublimity, wit and sharp observations. Wodehouse wrote prodigiously and what is more, is that his works found a sort of instant relatability all across the world. A quick reading of his works, even today, shows why it was so. His comedy was based on the eccentric behaviour of the British Society and his use of the most quotidian of things to weave a story which had humour, adventure and above all a great story made Wodehouse special. Further, his works had the most amazing of prose without exceptionally dense themes or vocabulary. A functional knowledge of English was all that was required to enjoy his works.
Although all his works are amazing, a couple of them standout - The Jeeves series and the Blandings series. Today we shall talk about the latter, particularly about two books from the series which I really liked and would recommend.
The Blandings Series is about the inhabitants of Castle Blandings, particularly about Lord Emsworth (9th Earl of Emsworth). The series is based around the castle's environs and involves its denizens. The first book in this series (and one which we shall talk about today) is Something Fresh. Something Fresh introduces to us the citizens of Blandings. There is Lord Emsworth, his entourage of 10 domineering sisters who seem to have their way over the absent-minded Emsworth. There is the gardener McAllister who often has an argument with Emsworth over the garden. We also have his ever so efficient secretary Rupert Baxter (or Efficient Baxter as he is often referred to). Finally, we are introduced to Lord Emsworth's son The Hon. Freddie Threepwood, a pretty good for nothing bloke who lounges around aimlessly much to the chagrin of his father.
Something Fresh is one of the funniest works of Wodehouse amongst all his other eminent works and is based upon confusion, a theft, loads of miscommunication and a couple of bright fellows trying to procure a Scarab for an American Millionaire. Like other Wodehouse books, this too has a ton of characters and the potpourri of confusion which follows makes the book hilarious
The second book is considered an all-time Wodehouse classic and anyone who's read Wodehouse has probably read this one. Leave it to P.Smith too is a book based upon the theme of purloining. In here we are introduced to one of Emsworth's Sister - Lady Constance who is at her domineering best. The theme is about stealing her necklace and there is competition between the library cataloguer Eve Halliday and the ever so charming P.Smith. Standing at attentive guard against both of them is Efficient Baxter the secretary who has smelt a rat and would not allow his employer's valuables to be stolen. What ensues is a hilarious cat and mouse chase for the necklace with many more characters coming in staking their claims for the necklace, making Blandings full of bustle.
We shall soon encounter Jeeves and Wooster too in our paperback trails, but that is for another day. Until then, have a great time exploring Wodehouse, I sure did. Keep reading, keep sharing and keep recommending for more the passengers on the paperback trail the better.
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse was one of the most widely read humourists of the 20th century. Wodehousian works had the uncanny combination of sublimity, wit and sharp observations. Wodehouse wrote prodigiously and what is more, is that his works found a sort of instant relatability all across the world. A quick reading of his works, even today, shows why it was so. His comedy was based on the eccentric behaviour of the British Society and his use of the most quotidian of things to weave a story which had humour, adventure and above all a great story made Wodehouse special. Further, his works had the most amazing of prose without exceptionally dense themes or vocabulary. A functional knowledge of English was all that was required to enjoy his works.
The Blandings Series is about the inhabitants of Castle Blandings, particularly about Lord Emsworth (9th Earl of Emsworth). The series is based around the castle's environs and involves its denizens. The first book in this series (and one which we shall talk about today) is Something Fresh. Something Fresh introduces to us the citizens of Blandings. There is Lord Emsworth, his entourage of 10 domineering sisters who seem to have their way over the absent-minded Emsworth. There is the gardener McAllister who often has an argument with Emsworth over the garden. We also have his ever so efficient secretary Rupert Baxter (or Efficient Baxter as he is often referred to). Finally, we are introduced to Lord Emsworth's son The Hon. Freddie Threepwood, a pretty good for nothing bloke who lounges around aimlessly much to the chagrin of his father.
Something Fresh is one of the funniest works of Wodehouse amongst all his other eminent works and is based upon confusion, a theft, loads of miscommunication and a couple of bright fellows trying to procure a Scarab for an American Millionaire. Like other Wodehouse books, this too has a ton of characters and the potpourri of confusion which follows makes the book hilarious
The second book is considered an all-time Wodehouse classic and anyone who's read Wodehouse has probably read this one. Leave it to P.Smith too is a book based upon the theme of purloining. In here we are introduced to one of Emsworth's Sister - Lady Constance who is at her domineering best. The theme is about stealing her necklace and there is competition between the library cataloguer Eve Halliday and the ever so charming P.Smith. Standing at attentive guard against both of them is Efficient Baxter the secretary who has smelt a rat and would not allow his employer's valuables to be stolen. What ensues is a hilarious cat and mouse chase for the necklace with many more characters coming in staking their claims for the necklace, making Blandings full of bustle.We shall soon encounter Jeeves and Wooster too in our paperback trails, but that is for another day. Until then, have a great time exploring Wodehouse, I sure did. Keep reading, keep sharing and keep recommending for more the passengers on the paperback trail the better.
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