Blandings Castle by PG Wodehouse


Review by Elleanore G. Vance

They say Comedy doesn't age well,  and in many cases, i feel that this statement proves true. ( "Three to Tango" comes to mind, as does "There's Something about Mary" *super CRINGE*) But friends, there is an exception! Allow me to introduce you to P.G. Wodehouse.

Wodehouse was a British humorist who was a contemporary of Dame Agatha Christie. (They were fans of each other's work and admit to having borrowed from each other for several different works). He is best remembered for his Jeeves stories starring Bertie Wooster and his brainy manservant Reginald Jeeves. He died in 1975 in New York. His writing is unique to his style, though many have tried and failed to imitate it. Once you catch his rhythm, you'll laugh out loud. In my opinion there is no better place to try Wodehouse on for size than in Blandings Castle.

"Blandings Castle" (US title) is one of my favorite collections. It was my introduction to Clarence the Third Earl of Emsworth who prefers the company of his prize pig, the Empress, to the company of anyone else; Aunt Constance who insists on the proper way of doing things and is a Typical Wodehouse Aunt; and of course the Earl's third son whose hairbrained schemes always seem to land him trouble: the Honorable Freddie Threepwood.

My favorite stories in the BC collection are:
*Custody of the Pumpkin
*Lord Emsworth and the Girlfriend
* The Rise of Minna Nordstrom

The Minna Nordstrom story is actually a Mr. Mulliner story and takes place in Old Hollywood during Probibition. I die laughing when the movie execs compare amounts of ice needed to calm their wives. Absolutely lose it.

As a Wodehouse reader, I love that so many of the background Drones are shared, so we know that Bertie and the Earl and Mr. Mulliner are maybe only a few acquaintances apart!

Unlike so many beloved writers (*cough* *cough* Christie*cough* *cough* Doyle *cough*)
Wodehouse really seems to have loved his characters, and I feel like that is part of their charm. I believe, one day, Wodehouse will be recognized for the comedic genius he was.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5/5

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