The Code of the Woosters (1)

In the "Code of The Woosters" by P.G. Wodehouse the plot centers around an english aristocrat named Bertie Wooster. His initial dilemna at the beginning of his adventure is about whether or not to retrieve "a cow creamer and (a) small, brown, leather covered notebook." Wooster's setting is a high-class society in England. The characters in "The Code of the Woosters" are symbols of a political nation. These people: Bertie Wooster, Aunt Dahlia, Pop Bassett, and others are the catalysts of several mundane controversies. They all have knick-names, but various individuals give monikers to one-another, such as: "The Dangerous Vice", "His Rotundity". Much like the pomposity of their time and place many of these titles are, in retrospect, ill-considered. Bertie Wooster's conflicts remind one of a college fraternity get together in which one poorly concieved joke or remark causes the motivation of the meeting to become itself ill-natured. In the case of the 'Woosters', as Bertie connives to steal a cow creamer from an ex-allum, other people become a part of Bertie's world, and other somber convictions turn into plots to commit college dorm-like pranks. "'A ruse"', replies Bertie Wooster to this deduction-"That's right-one of the ruses, and not the worst of them. Nice work Jeeves." This is about how vanity becomes the mark of a small society as a few individuals with offending sensabilities direct the sporadic angst within a clique of social club members. Surprises are wrought from Wodehouse's pen with dexterity. Conflicts make a left turn, a character plots on or becomes distressed, often sliding in morality. As regards the story, if you're like me, you admire people who are nice, whose humanity is there to stay on the page to read about-even as where plunged into further calamity. Wodehouse's skill as a writer makes these great swings. For these not-well-prioritised lives, a loss of a small object of value creates an empathy towards one or more of these provocateurs. An expulsion of emotion becomes a plea to a butler, an aunt, or other close conspirator. The twists transpire like sketches in a freestyle comedy show; pages of the book are turned, and the reading experience is quick and fraught with fun and humor. These are the most outrageous pranks; there is not even a small impression of a contriving hand by an over eager author. Read on with this story, the hero's foibles are explained, and you're hooked. P.G. Wodehouse in his novel "The Code of The Woosters" does an unbelievable job of bringing out the voices of the cast of characters in the dialouges through-out the work. Wodehouse's foresight is effete. There are alot of expressions used, particularly by Bertrand Wooster. Some are orthodox, but many are just thrown in, voiced by Bertie with a casual nonchalance as he talks to himself, or to Jeeves, his butler. Despite these high-flown expressions the reader knows exactly what the words mean. A saying is invoked, and we know Bertie's demeaner, what he is thinking-all just based on what we've read before. Bertie, or Bertrand, and his fellow peers have discussions which are casual, informal, and portray affectations and related curtness within a circle of comrades. As I discerned the words, I shook hands with a magistrate or a gentleman. A brisk cultivation transpired in my meetings with Bertie Wooster and Stephanie Bing('Stiffy').

This is the best of Wodehouse’s excellent body of work. Bertie Wooster’s narration and and quotations from literature and the Bible, as well as the plot twists are hilarious, and Jeeves, as always, provides satisfaction.

After reading Mantel’s lengthy The Mirror and The Light, the finale in her exploration of the life of Thomas Cromwell, I was feeling angry at Henry VIII and distraught due to the defeat and beheading of Cromwell by his political enemies who never forgave him for rising from poverty via his intelligence and persistence to become the king’s right hand man. I thought I would fast forward to the 20th century to read a lighthearted tale about the tribulations and almost trial of rich socialite Bertie and his right hand man Jeeves who I knew would save the day and not suffer the loss of his head. Thus this was a satisfying and soothing slightly humorous read in pandemic times when I am feeling overwrought by the sad fate of someone who came to a tragic end several centuries ago. Think I’ll move on to Ben Schott’s second novel written in the style of Wodehouse about Wooster and Jeeves. The first was great fun.

This a charmingly witty story about an inept but likable British society man named Bertie Wooster who is constantly finding himself in difficult situations that are not necessarily of his own making. He is inevitably saved from disaster by his erudite man servant, Jeeves who seems to know exactly what to do to resolve even the most convoluted of predicaments with grace and tact. This is book 7 of a series of 17 that chronicle the adventures of Wooster and Jeeves. If you read one you will want to read them all.

This is a fun read full of humor and wit. Wooster finds himself in all sorts of odd predicaments and between his own thoughts and Jeeves “impressive bean” it makes for a fun, imaginative story. Lighthearted and well written, the story moves along quickly and the reader understands the world even if this is the first Woodhouse book they’ve read (as it was for me). It also somewhat delves into the common language of the English 1920s, which I thoroughly enjoyed because, while it all made sense, it was odd and something new to me. Highly recommended to anyone wanting a fun, engaging story full of characters drawn to clever antics.Beware modern Dutch cow creamers.

I bought this book because I had worn out my previous copy, which I read a dozen times. This is my favorite Bertie and Jeeves novel. As the first book in the Totleigh Towers trilogy, it is also an excellent introduction to the entire world of Bertie and Jeeves even though Wodehouse wrote plenty of B & J stories both before and after. Start here.

Very funny book..I loved it!

Good flow of dialogue and pithy Bon mots strewn about with gay abandon ridiculous plots and personalities that raise a chuckle

Enredo e humor britânico no seu melhor estilo. Uma leitura bem divertida.

This is my #1 favourite book - simple as that. Also available, by the way, as an Audible audio book, brilliantly read by Martin Jarvis. Highly recommended.

This would rank as one of his best. It has all the ingredients of a Bertie and Jeeves story with its mix of broken engagements and Aunts, in a plot that keeps getting entangled by the page, finally leading to the Happy ending orchestrated by Jeeves. Unputdownable :)