Frederick, fifth Earl of Ickenham descends like a genial genie of the lamp on Blandings, restoring to his host the wonder pig that evil men had sou...
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Jan 22, 2011
Dan
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Bill Bailey's attempted marriage to Myra Schoonmaker doesn't go as planned and Myra is whisked away to Blandings Castle to prevent her from marrying him, a penniless curate. Meanwhile, the Duke of Dunstable's son has his eyes on Myra and the Duke himself wants to steal the Empress of Blandings and sell her to Lord Tilbury. Fortunately, Uncle Fred takes Bailey to Blandings under an alias and goes about spreading happiness and light as only he can...
Throwing Uncle Fred into the Bland More...
Throwing Uncle Fred into the Bland More...
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Mar 11, 2010
Elisha
rated it: 
One of Wodehouse's novels about Blandings Castle, another one of those wonderful country estates filled with crabby gentlemen, mixed up engagements and calm, cool butlers.
My favorite character is described like this. I wish this was a description of me, actually. I love it:
"Of Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, fifth Earl of Ickenham, a thoughtful critic had once said that in the late afternoon of his life he retained, together with a juvenile waistline, the bri More...
My favorite character is described like this. I wish this was a description of me, actually. I love it:
"Of Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, fifth Earl of Ickenham, a thoughtful critic had once said that in the late afternoon of his life he retained, together with a juvenile waistline, the bri More...
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May 22, 2008
Ian
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‘Service with a Smile’ marks Uncle Fred’s third visit to Blandings in his quest to spread sweetness and light by bringing to a suitable conclusion Bill Bailey’s wooing of Myra Schoonmaker. Myra Schoonmaker was a Blandings no show from ‘Heavy Weather’ when she was impersonated by Sue Brown under the influence of Galahad in order to marry Ronnie Fish. Here Myra appears under her own colours whilst Bill assumes the name of Brazilian Cuthbert Meriwether. The marriage has been forbidden by Lady Const
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Aug 28, 2009
Angela
rated it:
It's been a long time since I read my first Wodehouse, so it's hard to say exactly, but I think this may be my favorite. The plot is ridiculous and hysterical - nothing new there. But it's my first encounter with Lord Ickenham and he's nothing short of fantastic. He definitely lived up to his lifelong pursuit of "spreading sweetness and light". I listened to the book, and now want to go back and read it to pull out some of the lovely quotes.
Jul 14, 2011
Gary
rated it: 
This last of the Blandings novels reintroduces Uncle Fred who through many twists and turns succeeds in getting the Empress, the prize pig, returned to Lord Emsworth, Myra Schoonmaker married to penniless curate, and--wonder of wonders--Lady Constance married to Myra's father, who will take her back to America. Which will leave Blandings in peace. This is a fitting conclusion to a well-written and humorous series.
Jul 19, 2010
Nagesh
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Its amazing how he does it time and again.
Same baseline story. All the same folks ensembled at Blandings Castle and yet the confusions and chaos that reign supreme due to the sharp thinking of Lord Ickenham is utterly hilarious and makes you keep jumping from your "hammock"
Wonderful book for a vacation ... After all all P.G Wodehouse books are classic material to be taken on ones' vacation
Same baseline story. All the same folks ensembled at Blandings Castle and yet the confusions and chaos that reign supreme due to the sharp thinking of Lord Ickenham is utterly hilarious and makes you keep jumping from your "hammock"
Wonderful book for a vacation ... After all all P.G Wodehouse books are classic material to be taken on ones' vacation
Jan 16, 2011
q
rated it:
I shouldn't have read a Blandings book without Galahad in it so soon after reading one with him in it. I don't quite get into the spirit of rooting for Lord Ickenham as I do for Gally, so this one suffered slightly in comparison. Oh well, it's still damned funny.
Sep 12, 2011
Judy
rated it:
Funny characters (usual assortment of British twits, irritating relatives, scheming employees, feckless lovers), the transformative power of strong drink, greed, deception, and everyone getting what they had coming. In short, classic Wodehouse.
May 03, 2010
Ian
rated it:
Entertaining Blandings Castle story, although a little confusing in parts. Layers of peers (Emsworth, Ickenham, Dunstable, Tilbury) and multiple sundered hearts. Fortunately only one pig, one butler and one troublesome sister.
Mar 16, 2011
Janice
rated it:
Perfection! Blandings Castle, Pongo’s uncle Lord Emsworth, Lord Ickenham, multiple fiancées, an American tycoon, a haughty secretary, a disguised curate and a gigantic pig.
Aug 20, 2011
Gina
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I missed the Honorable Galahad Threepwood (and there was one plot point I never quite figured out), but Lord Ickenham gave admirable service in his place!
Aug 18, 2011
Patrick
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An excellent follow-up to "Uncle Fred in the Springtime," one of my favorites.
Jan 03, 2011
Kevin
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Wodehouse! Wodehouse! Wodehouse! Not as great as the Jeeves stories, but brilliant nonetheless.
May 18, 2009
Alison
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While I enjoyed this tale, I have a weird feeling I'm likely to read it again in a few years having forgotten I read it. And that's no slam against Wodehouse, but rather, his imitators.
Feb 07, 2012
Ingridmurnane
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Another excellent read. Wodehouse's farces make brilliant interludes to heavier, more academic books. Fun stuff!
Sep 20, 2010
Traci
rated it: 
More of the same.....attempts to steal the pig, discouraged love between a wealthy woman & a pauper, attempts to get capital for some adventure. Seems like it was the same PG Wodehouse story as the other two I read.
Aug 12, 2011
Neil
rated it:
Wodehouse was around 80 years old when he wrote this one and it doesn't show at all, it's still utterly fresh if nothing remotely new. "Uncle Fred" returns to Blandings castle, where amongst other things he must unite Pongo's friend "Bill" Bailey with his love Myra Schoonmaker against Lady Constance's wishes and of course prevent "the empress of Blandings" being stolen... again.
Mar 10, 2010
Brittany
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A Blandings book, not a Jeeves and Wooster one. Where everyone plots and doublecrosses to acquire the Empress of Blandings, each to their own end.
Jan 16, 2012
John
rated it:
Not so much a Blandings story as an Uncle Fred story that happens to take place at Blandings. More pig snitching and romantic misunderstandings. Interesting how Uncle Fred and Galahad never appear in the same story but then, of course, they are essentially the same character.
Aug 17, 2011
Jason
rated it:
Have yet to read a Wodehouse book I didn't thoroughly enjoy. When I read his books a vivid movie version plays in my head. I can see every character and action and it is so enjoyable, I don't want the books to end. Thankfully P.G. Wodehouse was a prolific writer!
Dec 18, 2010
Pranjal
rated it:
Lord Ickenham in Blandings Castle makes things very interesting. As usual the Empress of Blandings with her astounding alimentary feats occupy centre stage. There is a conspiracy to "pignap" the Empress and Lord Ickenhap , spreading light and happiness is the hero.
Dec 28, 2009
Kim
rated it:
My first P.G. Wodehouse. Great farce with classic British humor. I laughed out loud several times.
Jan 11, 2012
Scott
rated it:
Typically Wodehousian plot. Typically Wodehousian turns of phrase. All in all, if you like Wodehouse, you'll like this. And if you're new to Wodehouse this is a fine introduction to him.
May 05, 2008
Rae
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Lord Emsworth is sorely tried at Blandings Castle. Constance has allowed the Church Lads' Brigade to camp on the castle grounds. Lord Ickenham arrives to sort things out.
Oct 24, 2007
Summer
rated it:
Wodehouse writes his 437,234th book about plucky young folks who want to marry each other but are kept apart by relatives and/or money problems, and somehow it's still fun.
