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I have often been puzzled by people who do not grasp Wodehouse's unique comic genius and his love of language and was wondering how many of my American friends in particular on this forum share my love for his peculiarily British sense of humour ?
I was disappointed that two of my very good American friends seem totally immune to his brand of literary exhuberance and it makes me ponder whether some books just do not always "translate" well enough to cross continents ?
Any devotee of Bertie, Jeeves, Bingo, Lord Emsworth, The Empress of Blandings, Psmith, Gussie Fink-Nottle and Roderick Spode ?
I've always intended to read Wodehouse, I've just haven't gotten to him yet, I swear. (I do love E.F. Benson and Nancy Mitford, so I'm not an entirely lost cause.) Where would you suggest a greenhorn start?
I'm American, and have loved Wodehouse for years! A friend in college, in about 1993, had parents who ran a used book store. He brought a Jeeves and Wooster compendium from the store, I read one story, and was hooked! I've read all the J & W material many times, and prefer them to his other works. Never much liked the Hugh Laurie TV adaptions...
I've always intended to read Wodehouse, I've just haven't gotten to him yet, I swear. (I do love E.F. Benson and Nancy Mitford, so I'm not an entirely lost cause.) Where would you suggest a greenhorn start?
Start, IMO, with one of the Jeeves and Wooster short story collections. As I mentioned above, that's how I was hooked.
Start, IMO, with one of the Jeeves and Wooster short story collections. As I mentioned above, that's how I was hooked.
Joe
I am so glad I am not alone !
I agree with your recommendations. Start with "The man with two left feet", "The inimitable Jeeves" and "Carry on Jeeves".
I would also really recommend the "Blandings" series starting with "Something fresh", "Leave it to Psmith" and "Summer lighting". Lord Emsworth and his beloved "Empress of Blandings" are wonderful characters.
You must be willing to abandon all sense of seriousness and be prepared for the silliest ride in the English language though. Be warned ! And Enjoy..... Wodehouse is a master of language and he takes the art of comic writing to a new level.
When I feel really down I just pick up some of his books and will always find myself giggling to myself very quickly. Perfect for blowing the cobwebs.
I also recommend "Jeeves and Wooster" with Hugh Laurie as Bertie and Stephen Fry as Jeeves. An absolute tour de force of an adaptation and the best by far IMO.
I found these books during my teen years when we had Sustained Silent Reading in public HS. I could not bring these books to school because I simply could not read them silently!
I found these books during my teen years when we had Sustained Silent Reading in public HS. I could not bring these books to school because I simply could not read them silently!
I was devastated a year back or so that John Lithgow a great Wodehouse fan , came to London to read some of the material at the PG Wodehouse society and I missed it ! I would have loved it.
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Wodehouse is a master of language and he takes the art of comic writing to a new level. 
I would have loved it. 
