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The perfect genius of P.G. Wodehouse’s ‘never-never land’ (died 50 years ago today)
The Spectator ^ | 2/14/25 | Mark McGinness

Posted on 02/14/2025 11:04:43 AM PST by Borges

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1 posted on 02/14/2025 11:04:43 AM PST by Borges
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To: Borges

One of the greatest authors in the English language.

Never a word out of place.


2 posted on 02/14/2025 11:12:28 AM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: Borges

https://www.readersdigest.in/features/story-15-facts-you-didnt-know-about-sir-pelham-grenville-wodehouse-125103

“At the end of Wodehouse’s winter term in 1899, the headmaster of the school, A. H. Gilkes, wrote to Wodehouse’s parents, “He is a most impractical boy … He has the most distorted ideas about wit and humour; he draws over his books in a most distressing way, and writes foolish rhymes in other people’s books. One is obliged to like him in spite of his vagaries.” (sic)


3 posted on 02/14/2025 11:16:58 AM PST by GOPJ (Democrats are the party of angry black women, sexual weirdos and white liberal elites. It's a fail.)
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To: Borges

‘It was my Uncle George who discovered that alcohol was a complete food well in advance of medical thought.’ Vintage Bertie.

_____________

I’ve never read anything by PG Wodehouse, but now I’m going to have to.


4 posted on 02/14/2025 11:24:22 AM PST by Twotone ( What's the difference between a politician & a flying pig? The letter "F.")
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To: Borges
he would say that the absent-minded, hen-pecked, all-for-a-quiet life, Lord Emsworth (of Blandings fame) was his nearest alter ego

"Crime Wave at Blandings"* and "Lord Emsworth and the Girl Friend" are my favorite - or "favourite" - Wodehouse short stories.

* One wonders if the young P.G. had an airgun of his own.

5 posted on 02/14/2025 11:31:54 AM PST by niteowl77
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To: Twotone

Oh, you must! PG Wodehouse has such a way with words. His Jeeves series is very funny. Read the first short chapter where Jeeves and Bertie Wooster connect, ‘Jeeves Takes Charge’. It will have you laughing right away.


6 posted on 02/14/2025 11:43:49 AM PST by bigred44
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To: Borges

One of my very favorite authors.

Clever, humorous - and the hapless Bertie and erudite Jeeves still fresh to this day.


7 posted on 02/14/2025 11:48:09 AM PST by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: stylecouncilor

Ping


8 posted on 02/14/2025 11:53:39 AM PST by windcliff
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To: grey_whiskers
One of the greatest authors in the English language.

English literature is bookended on three sides by Wodehouse, Kipling, and Shakespeare. Of those three, only Wodehouse would appreciate a 3 sided bookshelf.

9 posted on 02/14/2025 12:07:36 PM PST by FateAmenableToChange
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To: Borges

Many thanks for posting this. Wodehouse is one of my favorite writers.


10 posted on 02/14/2025 12:08:28 PM PST by Daaave ('You Nexus huh? I design your eyes.')
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To: Daaave

It appears my education is lacking.


11 posted on 02/14/2025 12:22:10 PM PST by marktwain
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To: Borges

Jeeves and Wooster is my favorite.


12 posted on 02/14/2025 12:31:53 PM PST by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: Twotone

https://americanliterature.com/author/p-g-wodehouse/short-story/jeeves-takes-charge/#google_vignette


13 posted on 02/14/2025 12:54:59 PM PST by Stosh
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To: grey_whiskers

Wodehouse has been one of my favorite authors since I was a kid. I have copies of almost all of his novels and quite a few short story collections as well.

S.J. Perelman was another very funny writer. One of the best ever at always selecting the perfect word.


14 posted on 02/14/2025 1:00:09 PM PST by HartleyMBaldwin
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To: HartleyMBaldwin

I have never read Perelman, making a note.


15 posted on 02/14/2025 1:07:51 PM PST by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
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To: Borges

I still need to read PG Wodehouse, however, I did enjoy “Jeeves and Wooster” with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeeves_and_Wooster


16 posted on 02/14/2025 1:16:10 PM PST by vaskypilot
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To: Borges

I should add a comment - but the article says it all. :)


17 posted on 02/14/2025 1:52:10 PM PST by Mr. Jeeves ([CTRL]-[GALT]-[DELETE])
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To: Borges

He is delightfully entertaining and funny. I rarely laugh out loud while reading, but I do frequently when reading Wodehouse. I once made the mistake of reading one of his books on airliner and really struggled to contain my laughter.

I see S.J. Perelman has been mentioned by some comments on this thread. Yes, he is good too.


18 posted on 02/14/2025 2:05:34 PM PST by Southside_Chicago_Republican (God save the United States!)
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To: niteowl77

I find the Blandings Stories more interesting than the Jeeves and Wooster stories, though I love J and W dearly. All of his stories are charming and fun.

Haven’t had the heart to read Sunset and Blandings though.

Long Live the Empress of Blandings!


19 posted on 02/14/2025 2:09:53 PM PST by Conan the Librarian (Conan the Sailing Librarian)
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To: Stosh

Thank you! Just finished doing my taxes & need something pleasant to read. :-)


20 posted on 02/14/2025 2:34:05 PM PST by Twotone ( What's the difference between a politician & a flying pig? The letter "F.")
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