Nothing But Wodehouse

by P.G. Wodehouse, Ogden Nash (Editor)

A great collection of P.G. Wodehouse, compiled by Ogden Nash.

Some tales of Bertie & Jeeves, some Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge, various Mulliners' tales, and the complete "Leave It To Psmith"

Genres: Fiction

1522 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

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 society, reflecting his birth, education, and youthful writing career.

An acknowledged master of English prose, Wodehouse has been admired both by contemporaries such as Hilaire Belloc, Evelyn Waugh and Rudyard Kipling and by more recent writers such as Douglas Adams, Salman Rushdie and Terry Pratchett. Sean O'Casey famously called him "English literature's performing flea", a description that Wodehouse used as the title of a collection of his letters to a friend, Bill Townend.

Best known today for the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels and short stories, Wodehouse was also a talented playwright and lyricist who was part author and writer of fifteen plays and of 250 lyrics for some thirty musical comedies. He worked with Cole Porter on the musical Anything Goes (1934) and frequently collaborated with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton. He wrote the lyrics for the hit song Bill in Kern's Show Boat (1927), wrote the lyrics for the Gershwin/Romberg musical Rosalie (1928), and collaborated with Rudolf Friml on a musical version of The Three Musketeers (1928).

Reviews

[Phila Hoopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my go-to brain candy - a collection of priceless tales set in a Roaring 20s world of country houses, vacuous or opportunistic young men, manipulative opportunists, formidable aunts and all-knowing butlers, with the extra treat of a full-length novel, Leave It To Psmith, featuring one of the most delightful characters in the Wodehouse cast. Consistently, deliciously, diverting....my copy is a 1930's hardback, much worn and highly prized; it's seen me through bouts of misfortune, and was the #1 tool for keeping my son's spirits up during a long illness. Definitely gets my nomination for the "Laughter is the Best Medicine" award!

[Maribeth Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so technically I didn't read this *whole* enormous tome...but I read enough of it to get a good idea of what Wodehouse's stories (specifically the Wooster + Jeeves stories) are like. Quite amusing, yes, and the dry British wit is impeccable--but after a week I was definitely craving something a bit more intellectual.

[Allegra Gulino · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very enjoyable, especially the Psmith novel at the end -- the wit, conciseness of the writing and impeccable grammar were a thrill. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that all the pieces were about the same sort of people, getting into and out of hijinks. The adventures were dishonest, but with good-hearted motivations. Reading this is an absolute must for anyone who is studying comedy.

[Flynt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nicely done omnibus of PG Wodehouse that, in 1450 pages, doesn't come anywhere close to including all his writings. This compilation contains works that Ogden Nash considered Plum's highlight short stories, including several each on Jeeves, Ukridge, & Mr Mulliner. There is also a Psmith novel. Me, I'm a huge fan of Blandings Castle & will now search for a Blandings omnibus.

[Bradley Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Jeeves and Bertie stories, but I had read many before. The Ukridge and Mulliner stories were good, but not great. However, Leave it to Psmith is wonderful. Just my type of madcap plot.

[J Wren · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay, i get it.

many of my favorite british comedians site wodehouse as an influence, i understand why now. i'm pretty sure this is the invention of the sit-com, which i kind of hate in it's modern context of formulaic commercialism, but i see how revolutionary it's birth must have been.

it's probably not something most people would really enjoy, but reading a little bit of wodehouse will help you better understand our culture of humor and how it developed, so maybe download a free story or two.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

From ancestral library, I believe, or could be estate sale. Original owner C.R. Fidlar, January 1934. Selections from five Wodehouse books (two Jeeves, two Mulliner, one Ukridge) plus the complete novel Leave it to Psmith I read all contents at various times. May go through and list and comment on each.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great collection of P.G. Wodehouse, compiled by Ogden Nash.

Some tales of Bertie & Jeeves, some of the very manipulative Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge, various tales of the membes of the family 'Mulliner' , and the complete novel of "Leave It To Psmith" (My favorite)

[Natali · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good collection of short stories/chapters from other books. There were a few especially fun ones that I'd never read before: "Jeeves and the Yuletide Spirit" and "Jeeves and the Old School Chum."

And does Stanley Ukridge remind anyone else of Kramer...?

[Katie Hilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly, laugh-out-loud hilarious, if you enjoy British humor. Wodehouse is the master's master!

[Donna]

Found this gem for 50 cents!! Along with "Who's Who in Wodehouse"! :)