Between the Wars discussion

I'm sorry I won't be reading this with you - I have deadlines to meet - but I have read and enjoyed P.G. Wodehouse in the past, and look forward to following the discussion. Have fun!

Thanks, Gabriele! I'll start reading tomorrow.

Great, Jeannette!

Good luck with your deadlines!

Thanks, Jeannette. Self-imposed deadlines, but important, otherwise the new book won't be out this summer.

Soldier on, Gabriele!

How's the book coming along?

I just finished The Count of Monte Cristo, and I'll start Wooster at lunch. :)

I'll look forward to your thoughts on it, Jeannette.

Is anyone else reading along?

SarahC said she has the book. Maybe she'll start, too, when she sees that I have. She's doing a big Bronte sisters read right now.

I tried to read Wooster along with the Count, but I can't read more than one work of fiction at a time.

There's certainly no hurry, since it looks as if you're leading this discussion, Jeannette! :)

Glad to! lol

Thank you!!! :)

When I started this book, I thought I would prefer to watch the television series to reading the book. But, as I read into it, the writing has started to grow on me.

Did you watch the Jeeves and Wooster series? Just a priceless interpretation of the characters!

Yes, and I've seen this episode, too. :)

What fun!

I didn't not catch that the thread had started! I wasn't getting the update for some reason. Yes, I completed the read and would like to discuss. I am still exclusive to the books though-- I haven't seen any filmed series of the Wodehouse books. I thought I might read a couple more before I watch any, but I hear they are really good.

First of all, Bertie seems to have a bumpy relationship with some of his family members. He aunt is certainly not a mild-mannered lady.

It's been decades since I've actually read any P.G. Wodehouse, so I need to be reminded how the stories read compared to how they come across on film. But the characters are delightfully quirky and larger than life - and so memorable.

Early in our marriage, my husband and I used to read Jeeves stories to each other, and I recall how we would break into gales of laughter. One of these days we might have time to do that again.

SarahC wrote: "First of all, Bertie seems to have a bumpy relationship with some of his family members. He aunt is certainly not a mild-mannered lady..."

Bertie definitely is one of those chaps who gets pushed around by his aunts. Ay least Aunt Dahlia seems to like him! I love it that her calls her "aged relative" to her face.

I think they have a love-hate relationship, or at least they irritate but love each other at the same time. Maybe hate is too strong a word, but I'm just using the common phrase. haha

I think Bertie is hopeless with women of all ages, which is certainly part of the fun. Good old Aunt Dahlia, though. Helps to make up for terrifying Aunt Agatha.

I just thought of a character question and on the internet I flipped to this by chance -- a nice essay by Stephen Fry
http://www.pgwodehousebooks.com/fry.htm I thought you might enjoy it.

Thanks, Sarah!

I am almost finished with the book. I was wondering in general about Wodehouse and Sayers, whose works I find to have a very similar "style" contrasted with the authors I think of for between-the-wars: Waugh, Fitzgerald. The latter had a more dismal outlook on society, the Bright Young Things partying aimlessly. So, how do you define Wodehouse and Sayers in the context of the time period. Wimsey served in WWI and has suffered shell shock, but Wooster's world seems to have been totally unaffected by the war. I only saw a brief mention of "post-war" times. Any thoughts on this?

SarahC wrote: "I just thought of a character question and on the internet I flipped to this by chance -- a nice essay by Stephen Fry
http://www.pgwodehousebooks.com/fry.htm. I thought you might enjoy it."

I can't get the link, Sarah.

Jeannette wrote: "Thanks, Sarah!

I am almost finished with the book. I was wondering in general about Wodehouse and Sayers, whose works I find to have a very similar "style" contrasted with the authors I think of ..."

Interesting thoughts, Jeannette. I stay tuned.

http://www.pgwodehousebooks.com/artic...

This worked for me, but I'm not sure which article Sarah was pointing us to. Still, lots of info on Wodehouse.

I have not read enough of them to see how much he brought the previous war or the pending war into the books. And I have only read one Sayers, but I am not thinking of her in the same category of Wodehouse either. However, I think the two of them writing comedy and mystery might separate them from the writers of realistic fiction (or a combination like Waugh) like the ones you mention and some of the early 20th century women writers I have been reading for a while.

I know Gabriele and other members have more experience in the writings of the time to comment better than me.

As far as wars actually entering into this story, the only thing I can see in Code of Woosters is Spode and his political organization.

Sorry I edited my above message -- it must have been an added period. It was the Stephen Fry essay here
http://www.pgwodehousebooks.com/fry.htm

SarahC wrote: "Sorry I edited my above message -- it must have been an added period. It was the Stephen Fry essay here
http://www.pgwodehousebooks.com/fry.htm"

Thanks for posting this, Sarah. What a delightful and thought-provoking essay! It so makes me want to read more Wodehouse!!!

Sayers and Wodehouse both have the bachelor gentleman with their indispensable and intelligent man servant. They both use "outrageous" comic language in their stories. Sayers deals with murder, where Wodehouse sticks with poking fun at the class of men Wooster is a part of. That's the kind of similarities I see between the two.

They are such a contrast to the more "hopeless" stories of life after WWI. The generation on the cusp of losing their way of life.

I just watched a few of the episodes that I borrowed from the library. Those are lovely men and I have enjoyed watching them in many things, but I think I still click with the books more. I have been away from computer on volunteer work, but be back soon to discuss more.

I just wanted to jump in and let you know I've been following the comments as I read. I am really enjoying this book; it's been ages since I last read Wodehouse, and I haven't read this particular work. I always enjoy books featuring the gentleman and his all-knowing servant. I agree with Jeannette's comments about the differences between Wodehouse and Sayers (and Margery Allingham as well). I just finished Rebecca West's The Return of the Soldier so it is nice to read something funny!

Return of the Soldier -- definitely not a "humorous" book.

Have you watched the BBC series of Jeeves and Wooster, Christina?

I haven't seen any commentary about this anywhere, but do you think Bertie has a secret love and appreciation of his surroundings? His settings, especially in this one, the country house, and all its pleasures and offerings. It is one reason the story is so enjoyable to me - all the antics take place as he tries to enjoy the good things. And Jeeves tries to keep the civilization of it going just as it should, sir.

He makes terrible fun of the many character types of the upper class, but do you think it was all near and dear to his heart really? The benefits of being upper class, that is?

I certainly believe that Bertie enjoys his style of life, no matter the location. He's rather spoiled and a bit on the lazy side, and most of all he loves the freedom his wealth gives him. He goes in and out of engagements, not because he wants a wife, but because it's a hazard of his station in life.

But, he's rather clueless, isn't he? So, Wodehouse loves Bertie, and his kind, but he certainly skewers all of them, in a gentle and humorous way. Wodehouse's characters are obviously dear to him, and it makes the reader love them, too.

I think Bertie has a sincere appreciation and love of his surroundings and his way of life. I agree that he is sort of clueless, but in what seems to me a very charming way. Wodehouse makes great fun of the upper class, but he does it in a way that makes them seem fun and lovable. His sense of humor is marvelous! I'm really enjoying this book.

He does "love" the characters in his books, even as he pokes fun at them. Contrast this to Vile Bodies, where I felt Waugh disliked/despised all his characters. It certainly makes reading Wodehouse more enjoyable.

I'd call it an affectionate ribbing.