What are your favorite Jeeves and Wooster books?

[Anonymous]

I have read a couple that I liked but haven’t fallen in love yet-should I start at the beginning or are there any standouts I should try?

[Anonymous]

Wow, that's specific. I don't know if you'll get a lot of answers on this one. But I watch with interest!

[Anonymous]

I read several and couldn’t get into them, but I loved Jill the Reckless by Wodehouse.

[Anonymous]

I listen to many for free on Audible ( included in membership), specifically the ones narrated by Jonathan Cecil- he is wonderful. Nice when you’re driving or doing housework to have something cheery and lighthearted. Many of his books are predictable, all have a charming comfort to them. Read a little about Wodehouse and his use of invented words and Edwardian slang.

[Anonymous]

Oh man, that's like asking me to choose my favorite child! I think it helps to read in order, because you get a better idea of who everyone is, and pretty much everyone is a recurring character. And the early works are all short stories, so even lighter reading. 'Right Ho, Jeeves!' is probably the best.

If you are 'Meh' about the books you have read so far, consider the Jeeves and Wooster TV series with Fry and Laurie, which is *excellent*.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh man, that's like asking me to choose my favorite child! I think it helps to read in order, because you get a better idea of who everyone is, and pretty much everyone is a recurring character. And the early works are all short stories, so even lighter reading. 'Right Ho, Jeeves!' is probably the best.

If you are 'Meh' about the books you have read so far, consider the Jeeves and Wooster TV series with Fry and Laurie, which is *excellent*.

+1 I saw the series first which introduced me to the characters. Now, I love the humor or the books.

[Anonymous]

Read Wodehouse for the writing, which is amazing. The plots and characters are often silly, which works out better in the TV series.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh man, that's like asking me to choose my favorite child! I think it helps to read in order, because you get a better idea of who everyone is, and pretty much everyone is a recurring character. And the early works are all short stories, so even lighter reading. 'Right Ho, Jeeves!' is probably the best.

If you are 'Meh' about the books you have read so far, consider the Jeeves and Wooster TV series with Fry and Laurie, which is *excellent*.

Was just coming on here to say this exact thing. Which the series.

[Anonymous]

Op here-thanks very much for the recs! I’m going to start at the beginning and also check out the show.

[Anonymous]

“Carry On, Jeeves” is a hilarious collection of short stories. I’m pretty sure it’s one of Wodehouse’s earliest collection. If not, the first.

I loved it and highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

This is one of those series that gets funnier and funnier the more you read and get to know the characters. It's just not going to be funny for the first few books and then suddenly it is hysterical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one of those series that gets funnier and funnier the more you read and get to know the characters. It's just not going to be funny for the first few books and then suddenly it is hysterical.

This is an interesting comment, why do you think that is? I read a bunch of these books in my early 20s and loved them. Didn’t notice what you are saying because I found them funny from the get-go. Maybe because I already liked British comedy and that dry humor? But now in my late 40s, they just don’t hit me like they used to.

[Anonymous]

The greatest 20th C British humourist. Thank you, thank you for this thread. I also agree that the series should be read in order. That said, The Code of the Woosters can’t be beat. And the short stories in Carry On Jeeves are wonderful. They are what got me started on Wodehouse

Noteworthy, too, is The Return of Jeeves, interestingly PG Wodehouse’s only book with Jeeves but not with Bertie. Fun!

With this thread, you have made my day. Now I am going to dress for cocktails and have pink gin. Cheers!

[Anonymous]

The Comrade Bingo story in carry on Jeeves is a personal favorite!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I listen to many for free on Audible ( included in membership), specifically the ones narrated by Jonathan Cecil- he is wonderful. Nice when you’re driving or doing housework to have something cheery and lighthearted. Many of his books are predictable, all have a charming comfort to them. Read a little about Wodehouse and his use of invented words and Edwardian slang.

Here is what PG wrote in the preface to Summer Lightning (1929) in response to a critic who said “[my] last novel contained all the old Wodehouse characters under different names…he will not be able to make a similar charge against Summer Lightning. With my superior intelligence I have outgeneralled the man this time by putting in all the old Wodehouse characters under the same name. Pretty silly it will make him feel, I rather fancy.”

I laughed before page 1.