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My Man Jeeves (Jeeves #1)
Who can forget our beloved gentleman's personal gentleman, Jeeves, who ever comes to the rescue when the hapless Bertie Wooster falls into trouble. My Man Jeeves is sure to please anyone with a taste for pithy buffoonery, moronic misunderstandings, gaffes, and aristocratic slapstick.
Contents:
"Leave It to Jeeves"
"Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest"
"Jeeves and the Hard-boiled Eg ...more
Contents:
"Leave It to Jeeves"
"Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest"
"Jeeves and the Hard-boiled Eg ...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
May 10th 2007
by The Overlook Press
(first published May 1st 1919)
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(showing 1-30)
'Sir?' said Jeeves, kind of manifesting himself. One of the rummy things about Jeeves is that, unless you watch like a hawk, you very seldom see him come into a room. He's like one of those weird chappies in India who dissolve themselves into thin air and nip through space in a sort of disembodied way and assemble the parts again just where they want them.
Most people today probable associate Jeeves with the man that has all the answers not because they have read P.G. Wodehouse, but because they ...more
Most people today probable associate Jeeves with the man that has all the answers not because they have read P.G. Wodehouse, but because they ...more
What ho! This Goodreads review lark is a rummy thing. Here I sit, drinking buckets of tea, that indispensable tissue restorative, waiting for the old muse to come up with something, squeezing the old bean until it turns purple, and the blighted screen remains stubbornly blank. What is a frightful chump like me to do? How interesting it must be to be one of those animal-trainer Johnnies: to stimulate the dawning intelligence, and that sort of thing.
OK, if I keep that sort of faux-Wodehouse busine ...more
OK, if I keep that sort of faux-Wodehouse busine ...more
I've read this all before! I know I sometimes complain that once you've read one Wodehouse story you've read them all, but no, I mean I literally have read all these stories already. Ah well, I've also seen every episode of shows like All In The Family or Are You Being Served? about half a dozen times, so why not give these wonderful words a rerun read through?
Well the answer would be because this is not Wodehouse's best effort at joining up words in a pleasing manner. He's had better goes at it ...more
Well the answer would be because this is not Wodehouse's best effort at joining up words in a pleasing manner. He's had better goes at it ...more
One of the things Good Reads is particularly good for is answering strange little questions about ourselves. Questions we might not think to ask otherwise, but then when we do ask make us wonder how else we would ever have known… For example, the other day it struck me that I don’t really read any Wodehouse in the Summertime. And I’ve been able to check when I read all my Wodehouse's and it is true. I guess the reason for that is that I don’t need his warmth and sunlight and laughter in the Summ
...more
The downside to acquainting yourself with Wodehouse, at a ripe old age, is that you don't glean anything else out of his writing other than the humor and that too appears to be strangely contrived in ways. And the repeated usage of words such as 'chappie', 'rummy' and 'chump' end up annoying you more than you thought was possible.
Another author I should have read as a teenager. *sigh*
Another author I should have read as a teenager. *sigh*
My Man Jeeves collection felt like an appetizer to me, small bites of petit-fours and cucumber sandwiches that serve best at wetting my appetite for the main course.
1) Leave it Jeeves . Introduces the reader to the omniscient nature of Jeeves, "the brains of the establishment" as Bertie candidly admits. From picking the right clothes to sage advice about betting on the horse races, Jeeves is infallible. And when he's not 100 % successful, as in this opening short story, he can turn defeat into ...more
This is a collection of eight short stories written by P. G. Wodehouse. Four of them are Bertie and Jeeves stories, and four of them are about another character, Reggie Pepper. The Bertie and Jeeves stories are always very formulaic, in that each story involves one of the main character’s friends (or the main character) getting into some sort of scrape, which they then must find some ingenious way to get out of, which inevitably goes horribly, horribly wrong. Many hilarious hi-jinks ensue, but o
...more
I’m not absolutely certain of my facts, but I rather fancy it’s Shakespeare—or, if not, it’s some equally brainy lad—who says that it’s always just when a chappie is feeling particularly top-hole, and more than usually braced with things in general that Fate sneaks up behind him with a bit of lead piping. There’s no doubt the man’s right. ("Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest")
"Jerome, are you there?" That’s what I thought after reading the first pages of Wodehouse's My Man Jeeves. Their styles seeme ...more
Apr 29, 2015
Emily
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
new-york-city,
short-stories
The Bertie stories in this collection are phenomenal, but the Reggie Pepper ones are tiresome.
Upon reflection, I think I prefer Bertie to Reggie because Reggie doesn't have a foil; he thinks he's very clever, and of course ends up bungling everything. Bertie is self-aware enough that his troubles are amusing, as he's not creating them by attempting to be too smart. And Bertie doesn't worry too much about his own intelligence:
Upon reflection, I think I prefer Bertie to Reggie because Reggie doesn't have a foil; he thinks he's very clever, and of course ends up bungling everything. Bertie is self-aware enough that his troubles are amusing, as he's not creating them by attempting to be too smart. And Bertie doesn't worry too much about his own intelligence:
I was stunned by the man's resource. "It's brain," I said; "pure brain...more
It's P.G. Wodehouse, so why not five stars?
Well, here's the scoop. I love Bertie Wooster and Jeeves. One of the most clever duos to have ever graced the printed page. Between Jeeve's restrained resourcefulness and Bertie's self-admitted idiocy, there is a lot of potential for misadventure, and Wodehouse delivers it in droves.
Half of the short stories in this volume are Jeeves and Wooster material. The other half is from what I glean as earlier material, with a main character named Reggie Pepper ...more
Well, here's the scoop. I love Bertie Wooster and Jeeves. One of the most clever duos to have ever graced the printed page. Between Jeeve's restrained resourcefulness and Bertie's self-admitted idiocy, there is a lot of potential for misadventure, and Wodehouse delivers it in droves.
Half of the short stories in this volume are Jeeves and Wooster material. The other half is from what I glean as earlier material, with a main character named Reggie Pepper ...more
After reading historical fiction and war fiction back to back for a month, I was dying to read something really light and refreshing. So we (Me and Iniya) decided to read this book. As we were told that it has many LOL moments, we were expecting it to be high on punch lines and hilarious situations. As soon as I read the first story, I felt a bit low about it. I was expecting the American type of humor, aggressive and ROFL inducing. But it's nothing like it. It's very subtle and a bit underwhelm
...more
3.5 stars
Pretty good set of short humorous stories.
This is the first thing I've read by Wodehouse, and from what I can tell from other reviewers, this isn't even his best stuff.
Looking forward to getting my hands on more!
Pretty good set of short humorous stories.
This is the first thing I've read by Wodehouse, and from what I can tell from other reviewers, this isn't even his best stuff.
Looking forward to getting my hands on more!
This is the earliest collection of stories featuring Bertie Wooster and his extremely competent valet, Jeeves. Interestingly, Bertie Wooster is hiding out in New York, having failed to carry out an errand for his indomitable Aunt Agatha and unable to face returning home to face her possible wrath. During these stories, Wooster – or his friends – get into various scrapes and are saved by Jeeves. Often the plans backfire, in various farcical ways, but Jeeves always has a suggestion to help rescue
...more
A month is an unusually long time for me to take on a book, but this was just the perfect palate cleanser between other books. Finish something-or-other, not sure what I want to read next, or not ready to start something just before bed, or I don't have another book in my work bag (well, except for the other 400 titles on my kindle). Perfect for that. And it's probably a good idea for savoring the stories, too. Because Wodehouse can be a bit much of a muchness, reading the stories in one swell f
...more
Amusing, though not riveting.
Apparently this isn't Wodehouse's best work so its a shame that I started with it, because now I'm not so anxious to seek his other, more funnier ones out.
The first three stories I found quite entertaining but I admit to skimming the rest.
Someday....
Apparently this isn't Wodehouse's best work so its a shame that I started with it, because now I'm not so anxious to seek his other, more funnier ones out.
The first three stories I found quite entertaining but I admit to skimming the rest.
Someday....
The best thing about being in a book club is when you discover a book you had never otherwise encountered, that moves you in some way. I had never heard of P.G. Wodehouse, and my only reference for Jeeves was the Ask Jeeves website. This collection comprises of the oldest Jeeves stories, most of which were published before 1916. They were delightful, timeless, clever, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Each follows a pretty clear formula: Wooster has a friend with a problem, Jeeves determines a far
...more
P.G. Wodehouse is the funniest writer of the past century. Wodehouse defies superlatives. He is, quite simply, the best comedic writer to ever put pen to paper. I am a confirmed Wodehousian and revel in the man’s comedic genius. I have read numerous books by the great man and all, to one degree or another, are a delight.
Sadly, My Man Jeeves, whilst perfectly fine, is not amongst his best work. Despite the book’s title, the book is not wall-to-wall Jeeves and Wooster, and half of the stories fea ...more
Sadly, My Man Jeeves, whilst perfectly fine, is not amongst his best work. Despite the book’s title, the book is not wall-to-wall Jeeves and Wooster, and half of the stories fea ...more
Hugh Laurie states the case admirably "The first thing you should know, and probably the last, too, is that PG Wodehouse is still the funniest writer ever to have put words on paper." I couldn't agree more.
"I'm not absolutely certain of my facts, but I rather fancy it's Shakespeare-or, if not, it's some equally brainy lad-who says that it's always just when a chappie is feeling particularly top-hole and more than usually braced with things in general that Fate sneaks up behind him with a bit of ...more
"I'm not absolutely certain of my facts, but I rather fancy it's Shakespeare-or, if not, it's some equally brainy lad-who says that it's always just when a chappie is feeling particularly top-hole and more than usually braced with things in general that Fate sneaks up behind him with a bit of ...more
This early collection, published in 1919, contains several Jeeves and Wooster stories, together with some featuring a character called Reggie Pepper, which were later reworked as Jeeves tales. It's all highly enjoyable. Wodehouse's style feels effortless and is so light and entertaining, with plenty of dry one-liners that had me laughing out loud. These early stories are already quite formulaic, with plots that are often predictable, but if anything that adds to the comic charm.
I was interested ...more
I was interested ...more
I listened to the Librivox audio version of this book, which gave me a few small chuckles. It was amusing to see what humour was like in the 20s (who would have known that the society of the period was overrun by hideous rich aunties and peculiar uncles?).
The title is a misnomer as not all the short stories in the book include Jeeves and that was a bit disappointing. It was also interesting to learn some jargon from the period.
Having now being introduced to the man, I might continue the series ...more
The title is a misnomer as not all the short stories in the book include Jeeves and that was a bit disappointing. It was also interesting to learn some jargon from the period.
Having now being introduced to the man, I might continue the series ...more
Good collection of short stories with predictable plot but aided by amazingly funny writing. By Joves! this book endeavors to give pleasant satisfaction, don't you know ?
The hardest thing to do is to make people laugh. It gets harder when you have to do it on paper instead of television. P.G Wodehouse is a man who knows that the key to a person’s heart is through his smile.
After much vacillation and in a desperate need to read humor, I picked P.G Wodehouse on a friend’s recommendation. There were so many to choose from but I thought it better to start from the beginning; the first in the series of countless hilarious novels, My Man Jeeves.
Jeeves is a personal ge ...more
After much vacillation and in a desperate need to read humor, I picked P.G Wodehouse on a friend’s recommendation. There were so many to choose from but I thought it better to start from the beginning; the first in the series of countless hilarious novels, My Man Jeeves.
Jeeves is a personal ge ...more
My first introduction to Jeeves and Wooster was through the Fry & Laurie TV series many years ago. It took me this long to actually try one of the books and see just how well they did at interpreting the characters. And I have to say that they did a fantastic job.
This is a collection of short stories set in New York and despite the title, only about half actually featuring Jeeves & Wooster. The rest are about Reggie Pepper and his butler, who seem to be a precursor to the better characte ...more
This is a collection of short stories set in New York and despite the title, only about half actually featuring Jeeves & Wooster. The rest are about Reggie Pepper and his butler, who seem to be a precursor to the better characte ...more
This is the first P.G. Wodehouse I have read. I read it mainly on the recommendation and reviews of several of my Goodreads friends.
The writing style and humor of Wodehouse is a dry, British humor. As one friend described it, and I am inclined to agree, it has an intellectual appeal to it.
Wodehouse brings characters, situations, and scenes alive through is humorous and witty description of them.
The writing style and humor of Wodehouse is a dry, British humor. As one friend described it, and I am inclined to agree, it has an intellectual appeal to it.
Wodehouse brings characters, situations, and scenes alive through is humorous and witty description of them.
I hadn't the heart to touch my breakfast. I told Jeeves to drink it himself.
She fitted into my biggest...more
This book contains 8 stories. Four are Wooster and Jeeves. Four are earlier stories about Reggie Pepper who is Wooster in germinal form. There are differences in the Reggie Pepper stories and the ones about Wooster and Jeeves. The Wooster and Jeeves stories are crafted better, contain the valet who saves his young master, and the later stories are better at appealing to the sympathy of the reader. An interesting difference. Wooster and his friends often refer to each other with the British equiv
...more
I can now say from personal experience that Jeeves and Wooster are one of the funniest and most memorable character ensembles I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Bertie Wooster is the cheerfully good-natured aristocratic loafer, who always manages to stumble across some grave problem that just takes the fizz out of things, don't you know. Jeeves, as the butler with immaculate taste and uncanny savoir-faire, is always on hand with a plan to extricate Bertie or his chum from dire straits. Of
...more
Bertie Wooster is the first to admit that he's not the smartest bloke around, but he doesn't have to be because he's got his man servant Jeeves to help him solve all his problems. Jeeves is a kind of Jedi Warrior/Knight with a keen fashion sense, and there's not a problem he can't solve. This collection of short stories finds Wooster attempting to help his friends deal with money and romance, and while the scrapes he gets himself into never quite turn out the way he thought, Jeeves is always the
...more
Wodehouse is an acquired taste. I've acquired it.
The Jeeves stories are capital fun. Unfortunately only half the short stories in this volume star Wooster and Jeeves. The others have a similar style, but not the same dash.
Many of you probably hear Laurie and Fry's voices (from the UK TV series) when you read these stories, but I hear Wooster sounding more like Cary Grant (think: Arsenic and Old Lace (as Mortimer Brewster, the name even reminisces) or His Girl Friday). However you picture them, t ...more
The Jeeves stories are capital fun. Unfortunately only half the short stories in this volume star Wooster and Jeeves. The others have a similar style, but not the same dash.
Many of you probably hear Laurie and Fry's voices (from the UK TV series) when you read these stories, but I hear Wooster sounding more like Cary Grant (think: Arsenic and Old Lace (as Mortimer Brewster, the name even reminisces) or His Girl Friday). However you picture them, t ...more
I had forgotten that I'd read this ages ago until Dorcas reviewed it. She's absolutely correct about how uneven this first book is. I have it on my kindle and went back to review it. The first stories are the ones that give the best flavor for how the Jeeves series will develop and are very amusing. The rest is very forgettable. Not the best introduction to a writer who would become a master of social parody.
A great book to start a relaxing weekend. I love this authors writing style. This is a 3 star for me as I liked this book. The stories have 'In your Face' sense of humor that brings a smile on your face and definitely a few chuckles.
This book is complied of 8 short stories out of which - 4 have Jeeves & Mr.Wooster as the main protagonist, the other 4 have Mr. Reggie Pepper as the main protagonist.
My personal favorite were the one's involving Jeeves :)
All the stories follow a theme of charact ...more
This book is complied of 8 short stories out of which - 4 have Jeeves & Mr.Wooster as the main protagonist, the other 4 have Mr. Reggie Pepper as the main protagonist.
My personal favorite were the one's involving Jeeves :)
All the stories follow a theme of charact ...more
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| Around the Year i...: My Man Jeeves, by P. G. Wodehouse | 1 | 10 | Apr 09, 2016 09:40AM | |
| Goodreads Librari...: Description is about physical edition rather than content of book | 2 | 19 | Jan 26, 2016 04:55PM | |
| Gail Carriger Fan...: August 2015 Read: My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (Free ebook!) | 8 | 25 | Sep 17, 2015 03:16AM | |
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| Something Old, So...: September 2014 - My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse | 2 | 3 | Sep 13, 2014 08:06AM | |
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Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE, was a comic writer who enjoyed enormous popular success during a career of more than seventy years and continues to be widely read over 40 years after his death. Despite the political and social upheavals that occurred during his life, much of which was spent in France and the United States, Wodehouse's main canvas remained that of prewar English upper-class so
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“What ho!" I said.
"What ho!" said Motty.
"What ho! What ho!"
"What ho! What ho! What ho!"
After that it seemed rather difficult to go on with the conversation.”
—
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"What ho!" said Motty.
"What ho! What ho!"
"What ho! What ho! What ho!"
After that it seemed rather difficult to go on with the conversation.”
“I'm not absolutely certain of my facts, but I rather fancy it's Shakespeare -- or, if not, it's some equally brainy lad -- who says that it's always just when a chappie is feeling particularly top-hole, and more than usually braced with things in general that Fate sneaks up behind him with a bit of lead piping.”
—
61 likes
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