I’ve only read one of his books, but it was one widely regarded to be his “funniest” (The Code of the Woosters.) I wouldn’t call it a slog, but it didn’t exactly fly by. Most of my favorite books are comic novels, and it’s not like I can’t laugh at more benign comedy (I love Charles Portis), but Wodehouse’s brand of kooky similes left me almost completely stone-faced. I see people quote “convulsed like a Pekingese taking a pill” and other lines like it as if they were the most hilarious creations to ever be conjured by the human mind, and maybe they are. But I never laughed, I barely even smirked if I’m being honest.

With a lot of authors, I would just assume one particular book didn’t click with me. But Wodehouse, from what I understand, wrote almost 100 books that are more or less functionally the same. Maybe it was a mistake starting with a novel instead of his short stories, although the Psmith books seem the most interesting to me.

Is it worth bothering with any more of his books, though?

  • cone10@alien.topB
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    10 months ago

    I am a PGW nut, and I thoroughly enjoy his similes and turns of phrase. When I first started reading it as a schoolkid (not in the UK), I didn’t have any context. I still laugh out aloud.

    That said, if it didn’t work for you, don’t bother with the rest of the collection. There are plenty others to your liking I am sure.