Reading the 20th Century discussion

Welcome to our buddy read of Something Fresh by the inimitable P.G. Wodehouse.

One thing that constantly disrupts the peace of life at Blandings is the constant incursion of impostors. Blandings has impostors like other houses have mice.

Now there are two of them – both intent on a dangerous enterprise. Lord Emsworth’s secretary, the efficient Baxter, is on the alert and determined to discover what is afoot – despite the distractions caused by the Honorable Freddie Threepwood’s hapless affair of the heart.

This is the first of the Blandings books (it can also be found in a couple of omnibus editions: The Blandings Omnibus: Heavy Weather / Summer Lightning / Something Fresh and The World of Blandings:).

Having loved Jeeves and Wooster forever, I'm new to Blandings with my first visit being our 2023 buddy of Leave It to Psmith while Nigeyb is a frequent flyer - so whether you're a newbie or an old hand, do join us in what is sure to be the first of many visits to the sunny uplands of Blandings Castle and PGW's unique and hilarious mastery of farce.

We will be reading this in February 2024 but the thread is open for comments from now.

Can't blimmin well wait


Come one, come all

A guaranteed mood enhancer - and completely legal ❤️‍🔥

Guaranteed mood enhancer: I just need to think of Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright and the name alone has me smiling 😄

I'm looking forward to this one! When I read this a few years ago, I discovered there are two different versions of this book - PGW originally published it in the US under the title "Something New", then published a different text in the UK as "Something Fresh".

There are quite a few differences between the two versions - 3 characters who are American in the US version are British in the UK version and a section with Baxter is taken out of the British version (apparently because PGW had already used a similar plot in another book already published in Britain!)

I'm going to read the British version this time round, as I read the American one last time - I'm sure they are both equally hilarious.

That's interesting information, Judy. I guess I have the English version as it's called Something Fresh. If anyone reads the US edition it would be fun to compare notes.

I look forward to rereading this with a group. I have fond memories of it as being quite delightful.

I look forward to your reaction Renee

I have the Something New issue. I can get Something Fresh for 49 cents too on Kindle US.

Yes his books are often v cheap on Kindle editions. I picked it up in a compendium of other PGW novels for 49 pence

I'm about 20% in now and really enjoying this - I just love the scatty Lord Emsworth and Wodehouse's style is always hilarious. Just the right pick-me-up for this time of year!

I haven’t time to read this, but just listened to the BBC radio dramatisation of it, and it is a hoot. Enjoy

Looking forward to this reread. It’s next in line after The Secret History.

I seem to be following in your book footsteps at the moment!

I suspect you'll soon be overtaking me RC

Hurrah. Three chapters in and all is well with the world


Amazing to realise there was a time when someone exercising on the streets of London would be the cause of unbridled hilarity

And another noteworthy name….


Gridley Quayle

👏🏻

I recently finished this. It was OK, but I did feel that the Earl, Freddie, and Baxter (and the Earl's family) weren't the characters I remember from other Blandings books, most recently Leave It to Psmith. No Empress!

Rosina wrote:


"I did feel that the Earl, Freddie, and Baxter (and the Earl's family) weren't the characters I remember from other Blandings books, most recently Leave It to Psmith. No Empress!"

Yes. This is the very first in the series and certain of our favourite tropes had not been established yet. I enjoy going back to the very early books for just this reason, as we can observe the evolution of characters from their earliest days. This one was published in 1915.

I'm delighted to discover that the efficient Baxter is already in situ and hope we can look forward to his making himself a nuisance to the amiable Lord E.

I realise that I have not read this one for quite some time as I have not reviewed it on GoodReads. Sufficient time has also elapsed that I have forgotten most of the plot too, so I am in the happy position of it being akin to reading it anew.

This will be my first Blandings apart from our read of Leave it to Psmith so it's all going to be new to me.

Do Bertie and Jeeves ever go to Blandings or are they kept quite separate?

Don’t cross the streams RC* 😱




*Ghostbusters reference that, having typed it, I now realise most likely means nothing to you 🤠


No, the Wodehousian worlds never collide. At least not to my knowledge and I’ve read a lot of PGW

Unlike Trollope, where the streams, if not actually crossing, do send the occasional trickle into the others. Characters from the Barsetshire series appear in the Pallisers, and vice versa, and at least one minor character turns up in the standalone The Way We Live Now.

Nigeyb wrote: "Don’t cross the streams RC* 😱

*Ghostbusters reference that, having typed it, I now realise most likely means nothing to you 🤠
"

Haha, nope, never heard that before 😂

More info than most people could want or need….


https://ghostbusters.fandom.com/wiki/...

This is warming up well


R Jones and the letters is making me smile at the moment

As is J. Preston Peters' "donation" of his prize scarab

I just asked ChatGPT to review this book…


"P.G. Wodehouse's work is a timeless delight, and 'Something Fresh' is no exception. With its witty narrative, charming characters, and comedic situations, Wodehouse showcases his mastery in creating light-hearted and humorous tales. The escapades at Blandings Castle make for a delightful read, capturing the essence of his signature style."


No arguments from me 🤠

All the players gather at Blandings. Splendid


Love seems to be in the air too

We're set fair for another classic PGW scenario

The insights into the etiquette of life downstairs is quite interesting


I'm also enjoying the dynamic between Ashe and Mr Peters

I’ve been deep into the stories of Joyce Carol Oates and Clarice Lispector so something humorous and light is timely. I may have read some Wodehouse a long time ago however it will all be new again now.

Splendid news Susan


This is not peak Wodehouse but it's still a very enjoyable read. Bear in mind if you like this one then you will love some of his other work

And it's the first in the Blandings series, if you like to read a series in order

Susan_MG wrote: "I’ve been deep into the stories of Joyce Carol Oates and Clarice Lispector so something humorous and light is timely. I may have read some Wodehouse a long time ago however it will all be new again..."

I found a two hour BBC radio dramatisation on the Internet Archive. Having now listened to the full audiobook of Something Fresh I think it is a good adaptation. So if you are looking for a lighthearted listen during your day I think you would enjoy it.

I'm going to make a start on this this evening.

Roman Clodia wrote:



"I'm going to make a start on this this evening."


Splendido

'The sunshine of a fair Spring morning fell graciously upon London Town.'

Aww, how nice to be in the sunny uplands of Wodehouse World 🥰

Nigeyb wrote: "And another noteworthy name….

Gridley Quayle

👏🏻"

... and the Wand of Death! {giggle}

I just love the way PGW places his words: 'a dishevelled fried egg' for example is somehow hilarious.

I’m hoping to love this one as much as I have so many I discovered from everyone on this group.

Thanks Sonia for the mention of the BBC adaptation. There is so much available on BBC but not for USA unless I spoof my location and I haven’t been desperate enough to add a VPN to my entertainment expense. I’ll check it out though.

Ah yes, the votes for women question 🤠

Really enjoying this now


I particularly appreciate the burgeoning and quite touching relationship between Ashe and Mr Peters

PGW's world is such a lovely place to escape to

The efficient Baxter, not for the last time, causes, nocturnal uproar at Blandings Castle



A wonderful scene that had me chuckling and laughing. The aftermath is especially sweet. Baxter unable to explain his side of the story, and everybody is quick to condemn his actions.

PGW gold 🔥

Nigeyb wrote: "PGW's world is such a lovely place to escape to"

It really is - I'll be there this evening.

I've now finished this one



The Blandings series definitely improves as it progresses but this debut novel still contains plenty of Wodehouse charm and wit....


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


4/5

Oh, I'm loving this! Lord Emsworth at the Conservative Club with the head waiter had me snorting out loud 🤣. And now he's about to discover what a scarab is...

That is a good scene. The waiter garnering comedic material for when he gets home

I find this one harder to get into than the later Psmith crossover but it's still Wodehouse and do feel a certain amount of sympathy for Emsworth who really just wants to be left in peace to bumble about his estate. But it's interesting to compare the style with his Jeeves novels, the humour is slightly more muted, fewer zingers. I wonder if he planned that out in advance to establish distance between the two or if it somehow emerged as the characters developed?

Loved the Ghostbusters reference btw.

🤠❤️‍🔥

Alwynne wrote: "But it's interesting to compare the style with his Jeeves novels, the humour is slightly more muted, fewer zingers."

Great point - perhaps that might be related to voice: Bertie's stylistic quirks like the misplaced epithets and hyperbolic similes in comparison to the 3rd person of Blandings?

I'm completely in love with Joan Valentine 🥰 - I just hope Ashe is going to be good enough for her.

One of the things I love is how neatly plotted this is, actually all Wodehouse stories are. We know what's going to happen, the lovers are going to be properly paired off, we just don't know how or what mayhem will ensue first.

Even though this is my first Blandings, there was a short story featuring Freddie Threepwood in Plum Pie which I read recently so I know (view spoiler)[he ends up married to the dog food heiress (hide spoiler)] but don't know when that comes in the series.

You do realize I'm going to be begging for more Wodehouse after this?!

Nigeyb wrote: "That is a good scene. The waiter garnering comedic material for when he gets home"

And the mixed up conversation where Lord E thinks the waiter read about the man gobbling his food in the newspaper 🤣

Yes, a mood enhancer indeed. I’ve only just started but have had some great laughs.
I am reading the American version and hope it won’t be too different from the British edition. It’s curious that two versions were published.

That is curious - especially as PGW is using both national stereotypes of the tycoon American and the hapless, doddery English aristocrat.

I laughed too at the 'nuts and grasses' diet - sounds like veggie or vegan everyday foods today!