Group Reads Discussion - My Man Jeeves

[SRC Moderator, Moderator]

This is the discussion thread for the Summer 2023 Group Read My Man Jeeves in the category Gutenberg Classic. Please post your comments here. This thread is not restricted to those choosing this book for task 20.10, feel free to join in the discussion. Warning- spoilers ahead!

The requirement for task 20.10: You must participate in the book's discussion thread below with at least one post about the contents of the book or your reaction to the book after you have read the book

[Fly]

I hate being the first one to comment on these things, but this was a really quick read and I was done before I expected to be :D
This was a fun book of short stories featuring, for the most part, a lovable idiot and his capable valet/keeper. Some of the stories center around "Reggie Pepper" instead of Bertie Wooster, but they are pretty indistinguishable from one another. The plotlines are pretty predictable, but I think that's half the fun of it, as Bertie/Reggie get themselves in one predicament after another and you know how it will all turn out.

[JP]

I've been a Wodehouse fan for years, and I've read 79 of the 100 books in the Collector's Wodehouse edition, usually reading one book each month. This month, though, I've read three: A Prefect's Uncle (1903), Psmith in the City (1910), and this one (1919).

These show a great progression from his early school stories (way too much cricket for me!) to the characters, plot lines, and style that defined his career. In My Man Jeeves, we can see the characters of Bertie and Jeeves being developed, but the mature Wodehouse voice comes through clearly.

I'll probably only return to the school stories if I decide to do another complete read-through of his books, but I can see returning to this one for a quick pick-me-up.

[Trish]

So this was my choice for the Group Reads this time, as I'd read Catch-22 and Sea of Tranquility, and I don't really read poetry very often. Regrettably, I have to say, I was a little disappointed. This was probably my own fault, as I hadn't read the GR description to see that it wasn't solely a Jeeves and Wooster collection.

For the most part I enjoyed the Jeeves and Wooster stories, although the fact that they were set in New York, rather than England seemed to take away from them a bit for me. I was expecting the usual "infrastructure" of the Aunts, the friends, the Drones, etc. Still, Jeeves was Jeeves, and he's always the side of the duo that I enjoy more.

I really didn't take to Reggie Pepper, even though the simliarities with Bertie are there. I think it's because he needed a straight man who could do the thinking for him. Bertie wouldn't work as a character without Jeeves, IMO, and I can't help wondering if Wodehouse realised that with Reggie, which is why, when he decided to move on and create Bertie, Jeeves came along at the same time.

[Julia]

I had heard of the Jeeves stories but never actually read any, so when this came up as a group read I decided it was time to try them. I found this to be overdone, with repetitive plot/theme: young male aristocrat doesn't know how to get on in life and has his problems solved by a servant (Jeeves). Some of the stories didn't include Jeeves but were still a young male aristocrat with a problem that he doesn't know how to solve.

They were amusing, but after two or three stories I don't feel the need to continue with the series.

[Mary]

This book was so fun! The amount of faith and admiration Bertie has for Jeeves is incredible. Honestly, Jeeves should ask for a raise or some kind of extra benefits, he would definitely get it.

I was vaguely familiar with the idea of these books and am so happy to have actually experienced it. I really like the short story format. I think my favorite one was "Jeeves and the Hardboiled Egg" if for no other reason than Bertie's mustache!

[Lucy-Bookworm, Moderator]

Trish wrote: "So this was my choice for the Group Reads this time, as I'd read Catch-22 and Sea of Tranquility, and I don't really read poetry very often. Regrettably, I have to say, I was a little disappointed...."

I think I feel much as you do about this - Jeeves is fabulous as always, and definitely the star of the stories!
Reggie Pepper is definitely an early prototype for Bertie Wooster & just doesn't work without the sidekick of the dependable Jeeves to play off against.
Overall, I'm glad I read this one, but won't reach for it again. Later Jeeves & Wooster books are far better.

[Trish]

Lucy-Bookworm wrote: "Overall, I'm glad I read this one, but won't reach for it again. Later Jeeves & Wooster books are far better."

On the bright side, it hasn't put me off reading more of the J&W books - I will get to some more of them, and have quite a few on my kindle already.

[Jayne, Moderator Emeritus]

Well, this wasn't my first choice for group reads this season (I started Catch-22 but just didn't get on with it), but I'm glad I pivoted to this one instead! This was my first experience with any of P.G. Wodehouse's work, and it certainly made me smile.

I think I agree with the sentiment others have expressed here - the Reggie Pepper stories definitely feel like an early prototype, but the formula is very much improved by turning it into the double act of Jeeves and Wooster. I'll probably read more in the series, they're good for when you need a light-hearted read with a lot of warmth.

[Kathy KS]

Kathy KS

Wodehouse certainly writes stories with lowkey humor that is fun for some of us. And a number of these stories (several of which do not include the character of Jeeves) were fun. Unfortunately, they weren't as enjoyable as others I've read in another Jeeves collection. But anyone that enjoys this type of story may certainly also want to read these.

I did a kick out of one of the stories that had a "Ransom of Red Chief" vibe. It wasn't my favorite, but it's always a fun trope.

[Lisa]

This was my first foray into the P.G. Wodehouse stories. I found them lighthearted and humorous. I easily visualized the characters as I was reading, and they played out as good slapstick comedy.