Tag Archives: classic English fiction

Something Fresh by P.G. Wodehouse

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I had only read some Jeeves and Wooster stories by Wodehouse previous to this, and that was way back, so long ago I can’t really remember them. Anyway I bought an omnibus edition of three Blandings books last year and then it immediately got lost in the stacks and resurfaced just before Christmas, just in time for me to read the first one before the BBC Blandings series was broadcast.

These books (I’ve just finished the second one Summer Lightning) are at the same time completely daft but vital antidotes to the cruel world, so essential reading if it’s all getting too much for you.

Wodehouse wrote for himself the perfect setting for loopy characters, mainly members of the Emsworth/Threepwood family, but the servants have their moments too. Lord Emsworth has an appalling memory and information seems to sail through his ears, bypassing his brain completely. This is fine for people who know him and realise that he has just pocketed the cutlery absent-mindedly and not nefariously.

Most men have an obsession apparently, for Lord Emsworth it’s his beloved pig the Empress of Blandings and her weight and welfare. However for the American millionaire Mr Peters it’s rare scarabs which get him excited, he’s the father of Aline Peters who has just become engaged to Freddie Emsworth, (not the heir but the spare). Imagine his reaction when he realises that his best scarab has disappeared, and he knows who has it! Mr Peters is determined to get his scarab back where it should be – in his collection.

This book is an absolute hoot and in parts I was actually laughing out loud, it’s not only silly slapstick but witty repartee too. The Efficient Baxter, Lord Emsworth’s hated secretary is hilarious and as I’ve been watching the BBC Blandings series too I have to say that for me anyway the casting of David Walliams as Baxter is just perfect.

This book is available free from Project Gutenbery under the name of Something New

If you want to read something different by P.G. Wodehouse have a look at what else is available on Project Gutenberg here.

Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford

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I read the introduction to this book after I finished reading it, I tend not to do so before then as so often they tell you the whole story, where’s the fun in that! Anyway, according to Philip Hensher’s introduction Love in a Cold Climate is the ‘masterpiece’. I can’t say that I agree with him.

It’s a continuation of The Pursuit of Love and Fanny is now married to Alfred, an Oxford don. But she becomes very much embroiled in the affairs of the Montdores who are now back from India. The beautiful Polly is making her mother’s life a misery by showing no interest in any of the young men thrown in her direction at all the debutante balls. It looks as though the 20 year old is deteremined to disappoint her parents and remain an old maid instead of setting her cap at the Prince of Wales, or at least a duke.

The Montdore estate is entailed and will be inherited by Cedric, an unknown cousin who lives in Nova Scotia and he is invited to spend some time at Montdore House.

I think Cedric is supposed to supply the humour in this book but he’s no substitute for the outrageous Uncle Matthew who makes just a few appearances in Love in a Cold Climate.

I hadn’t read this one before and for me it isn’t one which I would like to read again although I’m glad that I’ve read it now, if only so that I know that I have read it. Does that make sense?

Anyway – on with the next one – The Blessing.