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Performing Flea: A Self-Portrait in Letters
Launched on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his death, this series presents each Overlook Wodehouse as the finest edition of the master’s work ever published—beautifully designed and faithful to the original. This season, Overlook is pleased to offer the latest two hilarious volumes. The first gathers together Wodehouse’s school stories, not collected in the author’s lifetime.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1953
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About the author
P.G. Wodehouse
1,550 books6,844 followersSir 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 16, 2014
In these days of telephones and texts, emails and instant messaging, it's easy to forget how prevalent letters once were as a form of communication. Some were positively prolific in their communication, even when - as with Wodehouse - they spent most of their time earning their crust by writing novels.
This, then, is a collection of extracts from a lifelong correspondence to William Townend, a friend of Wodehouse's schooldays. Townend himself was also a writer and so much of the expurgated correspondence revolves around a discussion of writing, with Wodehouse detailing his own experiences as well as doling out advice to his friend. In this it's interesting, but I wouldn't exactly call it a blueprint for a successful novel (certainly Townend never scaled the dizzy heights of literary stardom). About the most useful advice Wodehouse has is when he expounds his theory that no author ever succeeds on the strength of their first book - that to build what we would now call their brand requires a catalogue of titles to gradually seep into the public consciousness. Whilst the success of Fifty Shades of Gray may seem to prove this wrong, the truth is for most authors this still holds true.
For an author not looking for a handbook, the most interesting element of this collection has to be Wodehouse's experience of the war. Amongst the letters, and with Plum's approval, Townend includes a selection of diary entries showing how the author coped with his internment by the Nazi regime and the fallout of his radio broadcasts. What's amazing is that during this trying period, Wodehouse wrote some of his best work - Money in the Bank being a particular favourite of mine. Wodehouse copes with his ordeal with characteristic wit and seems actually to be more upset by the British response than by the Nazi oppression.
A particularly revealing point in one letter serves to sum up the book. Letters are easier than books, says Wodehouse, because one doesn't have to polish them so much. He then goes on to reflect that he has used the word like too often in the previous few lines. He might equally have mentioned that the final collection was a little heavy on the pekes. This, then, is not something for the lay-person to marvel over, another piece of Wodehouse genius, it is instead an insight for fans into the man himself. Perhaps it's not as illuminating as it could have been, but whether this is reticence on the author's part or excessive editing on Townend's is unclear. Either way this is a book that's worth a read, but not one to which the reader will return with any regularity.
This, then, is a collection of extracts from a lifelong correspondence to William Townend, a friend of Wodehouse's schooldays. Townend himself was also a writer and so much of the expurgated correspondence revolves around a discussion of writing, with Wodehouse detailing his own experiences as well as doling out advice to his friend. In this it's interesting, but I wouldn't exactly call it a blueprint for a successful novel (certainly Townend never scaled the dizzy heights of literary stardom). About the most useful advice Wodehouse has is when he expounds his theory that no author ever succeeds on the strength of their first book - that to build what we would now call their brand requires a catalogue of titles to gradually seep into the public consciousness. Whilst the success of Fifty Shades of Gray may seem to prove this wrong, the truth is for most authors this still holds true.
For an author not looking for a handbook, the most interesting element of this collection has to be Wodehouse's experience of the war. Amongst the letters, and with Plum's approval, Townend includes a selection of diary entries showing how the author coped with his internment by the Nazi regime and the fallout of his radio broadcasts. What's amazing is that during this trying period, Wodehouse wrote some of his best work - Money in the Bank being a particular favourite of mine. Wodehouse copes with his ordeal with characteristic wit and seems actually to be more upset by the British response than by the Nazi oppression.
A particularly revealing point in one letter serves to sum up the book. Letters are easier than books, says Wodehouse, because one doesn't have to polish them so much. He then goes on to reflect that he has used the word like too often in the previous few lines. He might equally have mentioned that the final collection was a little heavy on the pekes. This, then, is not something for the lay-person to marvel over, another piece of Wodehouse genius, it is instead an insight for fans into the man himself. Perhaps it's not as illuminating as it could have been, but whether this is reticence on the author's part or excessive editing on Townend's is unclear. Either way this is a book that's worth a read, but not one to which the reader will return with any regularity.
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March 20, 2020Mentioned here.
January 20, 2024
A collection of letters written by Wodehouse to his old friend and fellow author William Townend—absolutely delightful, and offering a fascinating glimpse into Wodehouse's creative endeavors. I've always loved his work for its sheer comic brilliance, but I came away from Performing Flea with a new respect for Wodehouse as a hard-working writer, and also one with a good deal of shrewd insight regarding the construction of a good story and the expectations of readers and publishers. Plus he simply comes across as a very likeable individual. I suppose I should also not be surprised to find that he was very well-read? In a personal sense I couldn't help being charmed by how often his tastes in literature and descriptions of the joys and woes of writing coincided with my own.
It's also highly entertaining and fascinating to see the array of familiar names of writers, lyricists, playwrights, actors, producers, and so on whom Wodehouse crosses paths with, ranging from close friends and collaborators to casual acquaintances. He writes of having lunch with Arthur Conan Doyle and Stephen Leacock (on different occasions), dog-sitting Maureen O'Sullivan's Pekingese, tea with Roland Young, exchanging letters and visits with Denis Mackail (Angela Thirkell's brother, also a writer), working on musicals with Irving Berlin and the Gershwins, and A.A. Milne contributing to the backing of one of his shows. (I was completely won over when I found he had read both Anthony Trollope's and Mary Roberts Rinehart's autobiographies).
Just loved it.
It's also highly entertaining and fascinating to see the array of familiar names of writers, lyricists, playwrights, actors, producers, and so on whom Wodehouse crosses paths with, ranging from close friends and collaborators to casual acquaintances. He writes of having lunch with Arthur Conan Doyle and Stephen Leacock (on different occasions), dog-sitting Maureen O'Sullivan's Pekingese, tea with Roland Young, exchanging letters and visits with Denis Mackail (Angela Thirkell's brother, also a writer), working on musicals with Irving Berlin and the Gershwins, and A.A. Milne contributing to the backing of one of his shows. (I was completely won over when I found he had read both Anthony Trollope's and Mary Roberts Rinehart's autobiographies).
Just loved it.
February 2, 2021
This book was essentially a huge collection of letters from P.G. Wodehouse to a friend. I was hoping it would include writing tips or some other thoughtful Wodehouse insights. He did offer a few things here and there, but mostly it was very hum drum details about his routine life. It read almost like a diary of simply recording his activities of the day. I kept trying to push through but finally gave up 79 pages short of finishing.
June 8, 2019
The master of comedy's autobiography. Wonderful stuff, with lots of insight into how he wrote.
March 31, 2025
My mother disliked Wodehouse because of what she believed was collaboration with the Germans in World war 2. My dear old mum died thirty years too soon to enjoy social media but she was more than ready to jump to fixed opinions based on disinformation. Poor old Wodehouse did nothing wrong, was taken as prisoner. and interned for the duration, wrote a few ironically humorous pieces which were intended to show people to conditions he and thousands of other innocent civilians, overtaken by the German advance through northern France, were being detained in. Not the first and certainly not the last innocent victim to be treated as the scoundrel. The pieces are among this wonderful collection of letters to his friend Bill written over decades. An invaluable resource for the fan of twentieth century English literature (yes Wodehouse is literature!!!) and a wonderful book in its own right.
Poor old mum went to her grave believing Wodehouse to be the second Lord Haw Haw. Our prejudices can deprive us of a great deal.
Poor old mum went to her grave believing Wodehouse to be the second Lord Haw Haw. Our prejudices can deprive us of a great deal.
November 22, 2018
Writer's bible
October 19, 2018
A collection of letters from Wodehouse to his friend William Townend.
I had an interest on getting my hands on this since I read "Yours, Plum The Letters of P.G. Wodehouse".
Usually I am not so interested on the biographies of authors I like. I like their output and that has nothing to do with the man/woman personal life or character. It could be that he is a selfish, greedy and inconsiderate bloke or she is an awful opinionated bigot... whatever. If their work is superb, then that is all I want to know.
However, Wodehouse was a genius and, as is clear from his letters, a great chap that I would not have mattered to meet.
In this collection of letters spanning 50 years of his prolific life, Townend stresses the point on how Wodehouse produced so wonderful stories. It gives insight on the creation process of such a great writer as a guide for all of those gallant enough to take the pen and start writing. And it comes as a revelation to see the huge effort that Wodehouse put on every single one of his stories or books. It surprising while when reading all seems so easy going, with the dialogues and story easily flowing that it seems he just sat down and pours everything out from his mind in a single, simple and masterful way.
It is a great read for all those who appreciate the great luck that the world has for having hosted the greatest writer of humor literature, ever.
If anyone has a wish to know a little bit more of Wodehouse, I also recommend the above mentioned "Yours, Plum The Letters of P.G. Wodehouse".
I had an interest on getting my hands on this since I read "Yours, Plum The Letters of P.G. Wodehouse".
Usually I am not so interested on the biographies of authors I like. I like their output and that has nothing to do with the man/woman personal life or character. It could be that he is a selfish, greedy and inconsiderate bloke or she is an awful opinionated bigot... whatever. If their work is superb, then that is all I want to know.
However, Wodehouse was a genius and, as is clear from his letters, a great chap that I would not have mattered to meet.
In this collection of letters spanning 50 years of his prolific life, Townend stresses the point on how Wodehouse produced so wonderful stories. It gives insight on the creation process of such a great writer as a guide for all of those gallant enough to take the pen and start writing. And it comes as a revelation to see the huge effort that Wodehouse put on every single one of his stories or books. It surprising while when reading all seems so easy going, with the dialogues and story easily flowing that it seems he just sat down and pours everything out from his mind in a single, simple and masterful way.
It is a great read for all those who appreciate the great luck that the world has for having hosted the greatest writer of humor literature, ever.
If anyone has a wish to know a little bit more of Wodehouse, I also recommend the above mentioned "Yours, Plum The Letters of P.G. Wodehouse".
August 15, 2010
Entertaining biography of Wodehouse as told in letters to a school friend over the course of 40-50 years. He gives many helpful hints to his friend about writing, revealing how he manages plots, characters, etc.
I was amazed at how many famous people were Wodehouse's contemporaries and with whom he had interaction: Gershwin, Fred Astaire, Zeigfeld, George Orwell, A. A. Milne, Eleanor Roosevelt, Steinbeck, and more. I knew Wodehouse wrote prolifically, but I had no idea he wrote Broadway lyrics, and with MGM made $2,500 a WEEK during the depression. In 1937, Ladies Home Journal paid him $45,000 to write a serialized novel!!
In these letters Wodehouse's humor comes through in delightful patches. Additionally, before the book went to press, Wodehouse inserted several clarifying remarks which fill in blanks of this biography.
I was amazed at how many famous people were Wodehouse's contemporaries and with whom he had interaction: Gershwin, Fred Astaire, Zeigfeld, George Orwell, A. A. Milne, Eleanor Roosevelt, Steinbeck, and more. I knew Wodehouse wrote prolifically, but I had no idea he wrote Broadway lyrics, and with MGM made $2,500 a WEEK during the depression. In 1937, Ladies Home Journal paid him $45,000 to write a serialized novel!!
In these letters Wodehouse's humor comes through in delightful patches. Additionally, before the book went to press, Wodehouse inserted several clarifying remarks which fill in blanks of this biography.
September 14, 2019
Something that anyone reading this book ought to know: Wodehouse and his correspondent Townend conspired to doctor the original letters wherever they deemed it necessary to make them more entertaining—not simply cutting them down to omit dull passages, but actually inventing incidents to retrofit into the letters, as though they were real events being related at the time of writing. For a more authentic look at Wodehouse's letters, I recommend
P. G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters
(which is also the source for my information about the doctoring employed in the present collection).
September 22, 2022
This is great fun for all fans of Wodehouse! It spans thirty years of Wodehouse’s life, following him to Hollywood and into a German internment camp...
My favourite discovery was that, according to these letters, Wodehouse talks like one of his own characters (unless they talk like he does, I suppose?)! Full of anecdotes, gossip about the celebrities of the day he bumped into and had dinner with, and the gorgeous language that makes his stories so irresistible, as well as advice on how to write popular stories.
Ideal for fans of Wodehouse, or anyone nervous about biographies because they are worried they are dry and boring.
Long live Plum!
My favourite discovery was that, according to these letters, Wodehouse talks like one of his own characters (unless they talk like he does, I suppose?)! Full of anecdotes, gossip about the celebrities of the day he bumped into and had dinner with, and the gorgeous language that makes his stories so irresistible, as well as advice on how to write popular stories.
Ideal for fans of Wodehouse, or anyone nervous about biographies because they are worried they are dry and boring.
Long live Plum!
May 25, 2021
It is so very satisfying to read 40 years of P.G. Wodehouse’s letters written to an old school friend, William Townend, recounting events in Wodehouse’s life and the novels, short stories, musical comedies and Hollywood films Wodehouse wrote. The letters are revealing and entertaining written in a style that is so uniquely Wodehouse. I followed the narrative with a sequential list of Wodehouse’s nearly 100 books, most of which I’ve read, and learned many details that gave me greater appreciation of the stories’ content as well as the art and craft of the author.
March 5, 2021
Robertson Davies wrote that this was one of the best books on writing he had seen. On his advice, I read it. Although you have to pick and choose from within his letters, yes, there is some very valuable advice here. In an earlier iteration, the book was known as the Performing Flea.
September 25, 2023
I’m giving it four stars for the sole reason that Wodehouse himself heavily edited it before publication, therefore it’s not exactly raw, honest material. Other than that, lovely insight into the mind and life of literature’s funniest writer!
November 1, 2019
Charming anecdotes that charm.
October 19, 2020
Fun look into the mind and life of the master.
January 19, 2025
It's a testament to Wodehouse that even his letters and diary which he kept as an prisoner during World War 2 are as witty and well written as his fiction.
March 27, 2025
Wonderful letters between two friends. The war years are covered.
January 14, 2015
This is a fascinating look at someone who is actually working as an actual writer. P.G. Wodehouse is a treasure, one of the world's best authors, and yet in this book even he worries that people will discover he's just been fooling them for 50 years.
The book ends with some chapters from an unpublished memoir about the time he was being held prisoner by the Germans during WWII. This was also very educational for very different reasons. I'm glad the world has stopped accusing Wodehouse of being a Nazi sympathizer just because he tried to keep a positive outlook when he was held prisoner and now just remembers him for his writing. He was a great man, and this is a wonderfully candid look at his life and his craft.
The book ends with some chapters from an unpublished memoir about the time he was being held prisoner by the Germans during WWII. This was also very educational for very different reasons. I'm glad the world has stopped accusing Wodehouse of being a Nazi sympathizer just because he tried to keep a positive outlook when he was held prisoner and now just remembers him for his writing. He was a great man, and this is a wonderfully candid look at his life and his craft.
January 14, 2015
This is a collection of letters from Wodehouse to a (vastly less successful - but who wasn't?) fellow-writer schoolfriend of Wodehouse, plus a longish appendix describing PG's experience as an internee during WW2, first at the citadel of Huy, in Belgium (where I watched Germany beat England in the World Cup semifinals, or was it quarterfinals, a few years ago), and then at Tost.
It's extremely interesting both about Wodehouse's practices and thoughts as a writer and about his wartime experience.
Clearly not your regular Wodehouse titterfest, by the same token; though there are numerous laughs to be had in both sections besides the enlightenment on offer.
It's extremely interesting both about Wodehouse's practices and thoughts as a writer and about his wartime experience.
Clearly not your regular Wodehouse titterfest, by the same token; though there are numerous laughs to be had in both sections besides the enlightenment on offer.
November 6, 2015
Wodehouse got a lot of flack during and after the war for his Berlin broadcasts, but instead of revealing a dunderhead who was getting cozy with the enemy the transcripts here reveal that he was a formidable intelligence asset to the Allies, wrapping in his trademark humor timetables, staff, train routes and prison locations that should have been of great importance to any spy or soldier worth his ration of salt.
March 12, 2018
Read as a refresher to get some quotes down and take notes. A collection of heavily-edited letters from Wodehouse to his school friend and writer of sub-Conrad sea stories W. Townend, spanning 1914-1961, with plenty of reminiscent interjections from P.G.W. You'd know whether it's the kind of thing you're interested in.
December 22, 2008
Excellent collection of PGW letters written between 1910 and 1955. Partcularly expansive on the internment years.
July 31, 2015
A must read for any Wodehouse fan. You get such an incredibly intimate view into his thoughts and approach to writing through decades of letters to his friend. I loved it!
March 29, 2017
If you are at all interested in P.G. Wodehouse or have been blessed enough to read any of his incredible works then this book has got to be at the top of your next reads list. This novel is actually a collection of letter between P.G. Wodehouse and his good friend over the course of 30 something years. It is a delightful peak into the genial and lovable author that brought us so many of our favorite characters. The resilience, kindness, humor and selflessness exhibited in this novel is incredible. As you may have guessed, a significant portion of these letter occur either during or shortly after WWII. Wodehouse joyful demeanor is shocking as he relates the conditions and uncertainty which he lived. Through it all he never stopped doing what he loved, writing.
April 15, 2017
This collection of letters shows Wodehouse to be a great writer, a generous friend, and admirably stoical in the face of both success and cruel misfortune.
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