Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves

"Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves" is a sort of sequel to the much earlier "The Code of the Woosters". Once again, Bertram Wooster finds himself as an unwilling and unwanted guest at Totleigh Towers, accompanied by his valet Jeeves. Bertie has been invited to stay by the owner's niece, Stiffy, who desires revenge on the family patriarch for not giving her fiancé, Rev Harold 'Stinker' Pinker, a vicarage. Additionally, Sir Watkyn Bassett's daughter Madeline, still under the misapprehension that Bertie is in love with her, is busily forcing her own fiancé, Gussie Fink-Nottle, to become a vegetarian against his will. Bertie must repair this relationship before it fails, as Madeline has made it clear that if it does, he will be the next in line to share her matrimonial bed, an event that Bertie is extremely eager to avoid.

In the hands of many writers, such a shallow and farcical plot would simply not succeed. However, in the hands of Wodehouse, readers are presented with a book that is light, humorous, and gently mocks the lives of England's idle rich between the two world wars.

Over the years, I have read a considerable number of the Jeeves and Wooster books, and this was one of the later ones to be published. Unfortunately, this shows. While there are a few moments that make you laugh out loud, it is also marred by the occasional recycled joke or situation. Overall, I believe that P.G. Wodehouse is a magical writer, and although this isn't one of the best of his books that I've read, it's still a bit of harmless fun that never takes itself too seriously. I look forward to dipping in and out of his works when I'm in need of some light entertainment.

Bertie Wooster firmly declares that nothing could persuade him to go back to Totleigh Towers, the abode of former magistrate Sir Watkyn Bassett. Besides Sir Watkyn, the place is teeming with his dreadful daughter Madeline and her admirer, the would-be dictator Roderick Spode. However, when his old friend 'Stinker' Pinker requests Bertie's assistance, he has no choice but to grit his teeth and head there. His subsequent escapades involve a black statuette, a Brazilian explorer with a penchant for whisky-and-soda, an irate policeman, and all the terrors of a school treat. It is Jeeves, masquerading as Chief Inspector Witherspoon of the Yard, who manages to untangle the mess and rescue his employer from the soup.

The story unfolds with Bertie being compelled to sort out an amorous confusion among his friends. It's a rollicking PG Wodehouse tale featuring Richard Briers and Michael Hordern. Bertie attempts to play peacemaker upon arriving at Totleigh Towers. He then finds himself in a pickle regarding an expensive statue. Gussie upsets his fiancee by looking at other options on the menu. Gussie gets walloped, and Aunt Dahlia dispatches Bertie on a spending spree.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jqb0

1/6: Bertie is obliged to sort out an amorous mix-up between his friends. PG Wodehouse romp with Richard Briers and Michael Hordern.

2/6: Bertie tries to play peacemaker when he arrives at Totleigh Towers.

3/6: Bertie Wooster is landed in a pickle over an expensive statue.

4/6: Gussie upsets his fiancee when he looks elsewhere on the menu.

5/6: Gussie is walloped and Aunt Dahlia sends Bertie on a spending spree.

Stiffy Byng is in need of Bertie's assistance. However, the summons leads Bertie to Totleigh Towers, the residence of Sir Watkyn Bassett, who is not on friendly terms with the Woosters. But our brave hero does what any true Wooster would do in such a situation. With cries for help from his friends, he visits Totleigh Towers and sets out on his errand. To his horror, it turns out that the task fully involves Sir Watkyn.

Madeline, Sir Watkyn's daughter, is also at Totleigh Towers. She is touched, believing that Bertie has come to visit her, which adds an extra layer of complexity for our hero.

Among the other familiar faces are Gussie Fink-Nottle (a personal favorite of this reader) and the Reverend Pinker Stinker. Their presence provides some comfort. However, there are also less welcome characters, such as Roderick Spode, Lord Sidcup, the 7th Earl of Sidcup. He fancies himself as Madeline's protector and detests Bertie, whom he views as a thief and a cad. This is where Bertie's troubles begin.

It's another enjoyable adventure filled with comedy and hilarious moments.

My copy is a 2008 Arrow Books paperback of the story originally published in 1963.

Gussie's engagement to Madeline is teetering on the brink of disaster - and Bertie has every right to be concerned. After all, the girl views him as her backup option, always lurking in the background like a spare tire in the boot of a car. And for our brave hero, tying the knot with Madeline is a fate more terrifying than death itself. So, he must spring into action to smooth over the quarrel. However, this time it's an even more arduous task, as Madeline is imposing vegetarianism on Gussie. To make matters even more convoluted, the would-be tyrant Roderick Spode is waiting in the wings, ready to tear the man who breaks his childhood sweetheart's heart "from limb to limb and dance on the remains with hob-nailed boots" or "pull him inside out and make him swallow himself". And the fact that Bertie is widely suspected of being a kleptomaniac in pursuit of a statuette belonging to Madeline's father only adds to the chaos...

What is needed is a resolute determination - and of course, Jeeves.

I can't speak for all Englishmen, but I simply couldn't maintain a composed expression for even a minute while reading this story. I was grinning from ear to ear throughout, and at times, I was rolling around on the floor, clutching my stomach with laughter.

If laughter truly is the best medicine, then this story is a veritable overdose.

This book holds a special significance for me as it was first published in the same month I was born. In fact, in the UK, it was just two days before my birth, while in the US, it was five months earlier, which was quite a surprise. I often envision someone reading this book over the weekend of my birth and laughing heartily at its contents. That thought truly brings me joy.

Wooster is indeed one of the great narrative voices in English Literature. There are times when listening to him while driving can be almost perilous. The man who reads them, Jonathan Cecil, should have received a Knighthood years ago. I have never come across a better reader for audio books. His timing is impeccable, and he brings out the subtle and not-so-subtle humor of these books. He captures Wooster's slightly baffled and bewildered (if that's the right word) voice perfectly.

The jokes in these books are very clever. For example, the mention of Stinker's left hook and how adroit it is, with "adroit" being from the French for "to the right." The plot is never as straightforward as you expect. You may have a general idea of how things will unfold, but just when you think you know what's coming next, something completely unexpected occurs, often due to Jeeves, who has a minor yet essential role in all the books. And usually, it leads to a very funny comment on what it means to be human.

I simply cannot praise these books enough. I finally managed to find some more copies in a secondhand bookshop, but they are as rare as hens' teeth. It's hard to imagine that they could ever be out of print. I think someone should have thought of publishing "The Great Big Book of Jeeves and Wooster" or something similar. I would definitely have bought a copy, perhaps even a couple. I have friends who I'm sure would also enjoy reading this wonderful stuff.

Towards the end, there's a part where Wooster is talking about a man who thinks he, Bertie, is a kleptomaniac. The man is an adventurer who constantly heads off to the jungles of the Amazon and such places. Bertie concludes that the native aboriginal peoples of Brazil really aren't very good at killing this old fool, as they've had plenty of opportunities but haven't taken them. And the punch-line is when he says something like, "And these natives have the audacity to call themselves savages."

Another part that had me laughing non-stop was when Bertie was accused of plotting to steal an ornament and was told to stop saying "Oh!" or "Aye!" (I know it might not sound funny out of context, but in the right setting, it's one of the funniest things I've ever heard). And of course, the line about finding it difficult to continue a conversation when someone starts with "So!" - it's sheer genius.

I think I've liked this book the most so far, although I've loved all of them as I've read along. They are an absolute delight.

The humour and tone of this story were, for the most part, really on point. There were several moments that actually made me laugh out loud. However, I was extremely disappointed by Jeeves.

It was truly astonishing to see just how much Wooster was willing to swallow his pride and endure insult, slander, and even almost a wrongful prison sentence. This was all because everyone, including Jeeves, had taken advantage of his inability to stand up for himself.

The whole situation was utterly ridiculous. Wooster had, in a sense, landed himself in this mess, but that didn't mean he deserved the treatment he received from everyone. Jeeves, in particular, was at fault. He would land Wooster in a difficult spot only to then get him out of it, which almost seemed like a form of negging.

Jeeves, you manipulative bastard! You are taking advantage of your simple, sweet master. It's really quite unfair and makes me question the true nature of their relationship.

Bertram Wooster's world seems to be in a state of relative calm as he quotes Browning's ode to morning joy. However, as the series nears its end, the author P G Wodehouse has other plans for his beloved duo. A presentiment leads Bertram to suspect that Totleigh Towers is about to re-enter his life, and sure enough, a phone call and chance meetings with old friends raise the threat level.

The presence of Stephanie 'Stiffy' Byng, a charming but unpredictable girl, further complicates matters. Bertram is understandably anxious about being drawn back into her orbit. To make matters worse, the dynamics of the Madeline-Gussie engagement are in turmoil, and Bertram finds himself in a tight corner in the marriage market.

Despite the familiar plot elements, Wodehouse's exuberant use of language and colourful similes keep the story engaging. The predictability of the stories is part of their charm, and readers know what to expect before even opening the cover. Bertram's celibacy has been under threat throughout the series, but he continues to find ways to avoid marriage.

The fashion disagreements between Bertram and Jeeves are a long-running joke, and the cover of the book gives away the current instance. The author manages to keep the joke fresh, even after thirteen books. The moral of the story, that one should not judge others too harshly, serves as a fitting closing bookmark for the review. Overall, any excuse is good enough to pick up another Wodehouse novel.

This is my seventh book in the Jeeves series.

Undoubtedly, it has to be counted as my most memorable one, perhaps only equaled by Right Ho, Jeeves.

I find myself constantly wondering what this crazy old octogenarian might have smoked while penning this book.

It seems as if he has poured every ounce of his being into it, and then some extra.

After crossing the halfway mark, I simply couldn't manage to read even two consecutive pages of this book without succumbing to minute-long violent fits of laughter.

Now, I am left with my muscles aching, literally from head to toe.

Bertie is truly at his Bertieish best in this one.

It's an outrageously entertaining read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

The humor is so absurd and yet so cleverly crafted that it never fails to tickle your funny bone.

Jeeves, as always, is the perfect foil to Bertie's antics, and their interactions are a joy to behold.

This book is a must-read for all fans of the Jeeves series and anyone who loves a good laugh.