Piccadilly Jim - PG Wodehouse 1917 ****

 

Remarkably clever Wodehouse where a young man sets up a scam (only because a gorgeous woman has caught his eye of course!) in which he pretends to be himself, leading to rather complicated story!

Years ago, James Crocker writes a scathing review of some love poetry submitted to his newspaper by a beautiful redhead named Ann. By chance, he bumps into her again on his way to visit his aunt and uncle overseas, but cannot reveal his true identity to her once she begins to slate his character. Instead, he names himself Bayliss after his butler back home.

At the same time Ann who coincidentally is working for his aunt and uncle, is devising a plan where the aunt's spoilt grandson Ogden is to be kidnapped and sent off to a health farm to shape up. Meeting this charming man seems to her an ideal opportunity to carry out her plan, and she enlists James (rather amusingly) to pretend to be James Crocker in order to get rid of the boy.

Confused? Yes, you will be, but do persevere, because as usual, Wodehouse makes it all worthwhile in the end (and also extremely funny!).

 

Started 5th October

Finished 13th October

Pigs Have Wings - PG Wodehouse - 1952 ****1/2

I enjoy Wodehouse's work tremendously, however I do more times than not find myself in a right pickle as to what is going on with all the characters. Each character is perfectly formed, but sometimes the sheer volume of them can get a bit overwhelming. However I think I have very nearly cracked it in this one, and was able (most of the time, although there were a few hiccups) to keep track of exactly what was going on and who had a relationship with who etc.
The book centres around the miraculous and noble Empress of Blandings (who of course is a pig of giant proportions and geniality) and the difficulties that Lord Emsworth is having trying to get her fattened up for the annual Fat Pig Competition (57,000 calories are to be consumed daily if I remember correctly!). In training for the gold is another pig, The Queen of Matchingham, who has been purchased sneakily by Lord Emsworth's neighbour Sir Gregory Parsloe to make Lord Emsworth paraniod about the competition. Both owners are obsessed with their pigs winning (we know from past stories of Lord Emswroth's fondness for the Empress) resulting in pig pilfering and mix ups from both sides, (it must surely be a sight to find a pig in your kitchen!) along with the usual broken engagements, (including being engaged to two women at once) ridiculous conversations, suspicious diet products and general hilarity from all parties. You also end the book wanting very much to know about the future of the Empress of Blandings, with as much affinity and excitement as you can muster!)
Everything is always resolved in Wodehouse's books, and you have a bloomin' laugh along the way too. One of the funnier ones I have read of his, producing ugly snorts from me on every page (much to the amusement of other people).

Started 2nd November
Finished 8th November