My Man Jeeves on #WodehouseSeries

What better way to open the #WodehouseSeries than starting with ‘my man’ Jeeves! 

“Good Lord, Jeeves! Is there anything you don’t know?”

“I couldn’t say, sir.”

- The Inimitable Jeeves

Reginald Jeeves, but known for the most part as just Jeeves, is the perfection-personified valet of our favourite Bertram(Bertie) Wooster. Jeeves is probably the most famous character in all of Wodehouse’s creations. From Jeeves offering Bertie, an idle high-class Londoner, the perfect services of a valet to being Wooster’s all-purpose problem solver and undeclared guardian, the Jeeves series weaves a brilliant, classic relationship between these two. In the fondest terms that Jeeves, the perfect butler, would ever be seen to use, their relationship is “pleasant in every respect”.

Bertie Wooster and Jeeves go hand-in-hand in the series of Jeeves stories. It’s funny, it’s charming, and it becomes incredibly close to your heart. When the timid Wooster reluctantly gets engaged to woman after woman because he didn’t want to hurt their feelings, Jeeves always has a grand rescue plan. When Wooster is wallowing in doubt as to what advice he must give a friend, Jeeves always has an answer to sort it out. And, the whole charm of this series is that Wooster is blissfully unaware of Jeeves’ grand plan that saves him, until the end of the stories when he realizes that Jeeves had managed to maneuver him too, though it was only to safety!

So, does Bertie and Jeeves have a perfect relationship? Well, almost perfect. Jeeves was always first to record his disapproval for Bertie’s taste in purple socks and other such fashion choices, which he thought as abominable. But, Jeeves is as Bertie thinks of him: a sort of guide, philosopher, and friend.

           “It beats me sometimes why a man with his genius is satisfied to hang around pressing my clothes and what not.”

        -Carry on, Jeeves

Jeeves and Bertie were usually used as characters in short stories initially by Wodehouse from 1917 to 1930. The first two full length novels in the Jeeves series, which also happen to be in my favourites, are Thank you, Jeeves and Right ho, Jeeves- both in 1934. I absolutely loved Aunts Aren’t Gentlemen, which is the last novel that featured Jeeves. In this, the doctor advises Jeeves to lead a quiet, resting life for a while, so Jeeves and Wooster head to Maiden Eggesford, where Jeeves helps Bertie deal with the unexpected problem that comes in the form of Aunt Dahlia. Well, what we learn, and what Bertie observes:

“Whatever aunts are, aunts aren’t gentlemen.”

Open a Jeeves book, and you are sure to see an orchestrated grandness by Jeeves to save our Bertie from the most trivial of trivial issues that he manages to entangle himself in. Fueled by the classic English sarcasm and impeccable humour, the Jeeves series entertains you with the stories of young Wooster who is led through life by his perfect valet, whose respectful replies sometimes hide the biggest sarcasm! 

Jeeves was a series that Wodehouse continued to write through 60 years! And as you read, you get bits and pieces of these characters revealed to you through the most hilarious stories. The first book that I ever read of Wodehouse was Thank you, Jeeves. And, since then there has been no stopping me from devouring Jeeves novels with the utmost expectations, and they never fail!

If you are someone who has never read Jeeves, then I think you should start with Carry on, Jeeves- a set of ten short stories involving this hit pair, and the first story of which actually gives an insight into how Bertie and Jeeves met! Let me know your favourite Jeeves novel in the comments if you’ve read before! And, if you haven’t, why don’t you pick up Carry on, Jeeves? 

Weekend Wodehouse

Title: Weekend Wodehouse

Author: P. G. Wodehouse

Wodehouse is a brilliant story-teller, making you laugh from the bottom of your heart. Every line has a witty tone. And, it's the kind of humour that sets a high standard of benchmark. I got Weekend Wodehouse as a gift from a friend, a fellow Wodehouse-fan, on my birthday. 

Weekend Wodehouse is a collection of stories and chapters of Wodehouse's other books. For those who love his writing, it's a perfect book to read, and for those who haven't read Wodehouse yet, it's a great book to begin from!

The book has a cross-sectional story collection with many of his familiar characters and stories like disreputtable members of Drones Club stories, Mr Mulliner stories, and stories of Jeeves, Lord Elmsworth of Blandings Castle and Ukridge. So, it offers a fresh variety, and deeper insight into these much-loved characters, serving as a sample of the brilliance of Wodehouse and his characters that you are bound to fall in love with. 

As the preface of the book aptly captures his writing: 

"P.G. Wodehouse established himself as not only a fond satirist of the foppish upper class, but one of the greatest comic voices in all literature."

Simply put, this collection is an ideal introduction to the writer described by Douglas Adams as ‘the greatest comic writer ever’. Weekend Wodehouse was a delight to read for me, more so because I had picked up a Wodehouse book after a long time. It made me remember the atrocious characters and their crisp, sarcastic English humour.

If you haven't read a Wodehouse yet, you better start with this one!

Jeeves And The Feudal Spirit

Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Title: Jeeves And The Feudal Spirit
Author: P.G. Wodehouse
Main Characters: Florence, Bertie, Aunt Dahlia, Percy, Uncle Tom, Lord Sidcup, Mr. & Mrs. Trotter, Ma Trotter, Stilton and Jeeves
Description of one of the main characters: Lord Sidcup is very interested in old silver. He collects those like Uncle Tom. He is also an expert in jewellery. He had studied about diamonds and pearls. He is also called Roderick Spode. Uncle Tom shows Aunt Dahlia's pearl necklace to Sidcup to check whether it is original.
Whom I like and why: I like Jeeves very much. He is honest and loyal. He adjusts to awkward situations. He finds a way for Wooster's and Aunt Dahlia's problems. He is really intelligent and quick-witted.
Whom I dislike and why: I dislike Stilton as he is really annoying. He disturbs everyone in the Brinkley court, the residence of Aunt Dahlia and Uncle Tom. He often gets in to fights with Percy, Florence and Bertie.
Setting/Theme of the story: Aunt Dahlia tries to sell her magazine, The Milady's Boudoir, to L. G. Trotter and his family. Florence and Stilton come to the Brinkley court to stay with Aunt Dahlia. Uncle Tom does not like this company and calls Lord Sidcup to stay with him and discuss about jewels. Aunt Dahlia, to get more money, sells her pearl necklace in London. When Uncle Tom informs Aunt Dahlia that he will be asking Spode to look at the pearl necklace, she does not know what to do. If Uncle Tom comes to know that she had sold it, he would be mad with anger. So Aunt Dahlia seeks Jeeves's help. Jeeves asks her to hand over the necklace to Bertie Wooster and just pretend that the necklace is stolen. But the plan doesnt work as Spode arrives a little earlier than expected. Later, the pearl necklace is found with Ma Trotter who is always jealous of it. Uncle Tom gets it back from Ma Trotter and Aunt Dahlia is saved.  Aunt Dahlia somehow makes L. G. Trotter buy the magazine and after much thought he accepts. Everything settles down perfectly.

Thank You, Jeeves

Image via Wikipedia

Title : Thank You, Jeeves
Author : P. G. Wodehouse
Main Characters : Jeeves, Bertie Wooster, Pauline Stroker, Mr. Stroker, Chuffy and Lady Chuffnell
Description Of One Of The Main Characters : Mr. Stroker is very strict and thinks Woosters are very unkind. He is really formidable. He is the father of Pauline Stroker.
Whom I like and Why : I like Jeeves as he is an intelligent and active valet. He is honest and sincere in his work. First, he works for Bertie but later he resigns as he doesnt like the Banjo.
Whom I dislike and Why : I dislike Lady Chuffnell as she always gives wrong opinion and keeps adding fuel to the fire. She is selfish and careless. She acts as if she can solve anything.
Setting/Theme Of The Story : Jeeves is a very intelligent and honest valet who works for Bertie. But as Bertie doesnt stop playing his Banjo, Jeeves resigns over him. Bertie is invited by his school friend, Chuffy, to stay with him. But when Bertie goes there he finds Pauline Stroker and her formidable father Mr. Stroker. Bertie also finds out that Chuffy has employed Jeeves. He stays in a hut given by Chuffy near the shore and The Chuffnell Hall. After a few days he finds out through Jeeves that his old friend Chuffy has fallen in love with Pauline. As Pauline talked with Bertie often regarding this, Mr. Stroker thinks that Pauline wants to marry Bertie. So Mr. Stroker decides to get Bertie married to Pauline. Meanwhile, Bertie’s newly employed valet Brinkley burns the hut by mistake and Bertie’s favourite instrument is gone. At that time, Mr. Stroker invites Bertie to stay with them. And as Bertie goes there, he finds out that he is going to be engaged to Pauline. He needs the help of Jeeves. Of course, Jeeves has a brilliant idea. Jeeves applies black soot on Bertie’s face and sends him on a boat back to the shore in disguise with a troop of musicians. Meanwhile, Pauline tells her father that she wants to marry Chuffy and not Bertie. Mr. Stroker seems to be really happy by the change in his daughter and they both get married. Jeeves does not want to work for Chuffy anymore and comes back to the employment of Bertie now that the Banjo is gone. That is when Bertie says, “Thank You, Jeeves”.
Part I Enjoyed The most : I like the part when Jeeves helps Bertie escape from Mr. Stroker.
A few Quotes for you to enjoy :

Well, if that was the attitude he was proposing to adopt, well,
I mean to say. My geniality waned. I drew myself up coldly, at the
same time raising a stiff eyebrow. And I was just about to work
off the old To-what-am-I-indebted-for-this-visit gag, when he
chipped in ahead of me.
`You ought to be certified!'
`I beg your pardon?'
`You're a public menace. For weeks, it appears, you have been
making life a hell for all your neighbours with some hideous
musical instrument. I see you have it with you now. How dare
you play that thing in a respectable block of flats? Infernal din!'
I remained cool and dignified.
`Did you say infernal din?'
`I did.'
`Oh? Well, let me tell you that the man that hath no music in
himself . . . ' I stepped to the door. `Jeeves,' I called down the
passage, `what was it Shakespeare said the man who hadn't
music in himself was fit for?'
`Treasons, stratagems, and spoils, sir.'
`Thank you, Jeeves. Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils,'
I said, returning.
He danced a step or two.
========================================================

`In that case, I fear I must give my notice.'
There was a tense silence. I stared at the man.
`Jeeves,' I said, and you wouldn't be far out in describing me as
stunned, `did I hear you correctly?'
`Yes, sir.'
`You actually contemplate leaving my entourage?'
`Only with the greatest reluctance, sir. But if it is your inten-
tion to play that instrument within the narrow confines of a
country cottage . . . '
I drew myself up.
`You say ªthat instrumentº, Jeeves. And you say it in an
unpleasant, soupy voice. Am I to understand that you dislike
this banjolele?'
`Yes, sir.'
`You've stood it all right up to now.'
`With grave difficulty, sir.'