Guardian Newspaper 1000 Novels discussion

Here is the thread for Feb 2017's Comedy read, Something Fresh.

I will be joining for this read, who is with me? When are people going to be starting?

I will reread this, probably via audiobook. I am flexible about when as it will be a fast read for me.

I will be reading this, starting probably next week ish...

I'll be reading this in the second half of Feb - 20th onwards

I couldn't wait & have started!

Ok guys, I have a confession to make...

Are you ready? Here it goes...

phew...deep breath...

...*whispers* I've never read PG Wodehouse before.



There, I said it!
Seriously, though, I haven't, and WHY HAVEN'T I?

Ok, I actually know why...authors with such huge bodies of work like Wodehouse are intimidating. And when some of the more famous books are in the middle of a series, I never know what to do. Do I read the whole series to get to the famous one? But what if I don't like the rest of the series and stop, even though I would love the famous one? Then do I just skip to the famous one? But what if its really good, but then I read the series out of order?

Seriously, these thoughts are real.

So ya, no Wodehouse yet for me and this little gem was amazing. I read too much "heavy" stuff, and much of that is reading through these lists (Guardian's, Boxell's), and the obviously incorrect assumption that "light" reading is not always as good or enriching. This was fantastic, from start to finish. It was well set-up and researched, had great characters, and a great story line, all while remaining completely fun and humorous and light-hearted.

I want to add some more Wodehouse to my list...but herein is my old dilemna...where do I go next, guys? Suggestions?

I am probably not the right person to advise you Kaycie as I love his books so much that I tend to say "read them all!" But since you like this one (Blandings #1) and Heavy Weather (GR calls this Blandings #5 but it's really Blandings #3 imo) is also on the Guardian's list, I would say read Summer Lightning next.

GR has incorporated the Psmith books into the Blanding series. Nothing against those but I prefer the series order given by fantastic fiction: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/p-...

Or if you want to try his other famous series, the Jeeves & Wooster books, they don't really need to be read in order. One of my favorites in this series (also on the Guardian's list) is The Code of the Woosters & it's pretty early in the series.

Kaycie wrote: "I want to add some more Wodehouse to my list...but herein is my old dilemna...where do I go next, guys? Suggestions?"

I say read them in order. It's not like any of them are bad. Leave it to Psmith is pretty great, but my faves are the short story collections at the beginning of the Jeeves series. As much as I enjoy Blandings, there's no beating the glorious stupidity of Bertie Wooster.

Thanks for all of the awesome suggestions, guys! I had heard things about the Jeeves series before and had considered starting it, so maybe I'd make that my first series.

I still just have the same problem as with any book...so many books I want to read, so little time!

right! I have cleared the decks (a bit) and will be starting this one tomorrow...

Darren wrote: "right! I have cleared the decks (a bit) and will be starting this one tomorrow..."

Enjoy Darren!

30% through and loving it :oD
why haven't I heard more about the Blandings Castle stories before!!??

Darren wrote: "30% through and loving it :oD
why haven't I heard more about the Blandings Castle stories before!!??"

Doing a little happy dance :)

I was introduced to Wodehouse by my parents; his books aren't new so I guess that most people these day find him by hearing about his books from friends/relatives. Discovering those sort of authors that somehow slipped my radar is one of my reasons for working on this list :)

finished!
herewith I reproduce my review:
Typical Wodehouse: beautifully written, genial characters, hilarious dry one-liners etc. This one has a fairly standard farcical plot of shenanigans at a country house incorporating romances and petty theft. Excellent as "light reading" for a break between other heavier/longer books. 3.5 Stars rounded down to 3 as seemed a little drawn-out/slow at times (would've benefited from being trimmed down to a snappier novella).

Just started my copy. I bought a copy from the Everyman's Library so I'll have a nice copy. I agree with whoever said "read them all"! I've loved Wodehouse since I watched the old show Wodehouse Playhouse with Pauline Collins and John Alderton. (Loved the golf ones the best.)