My Man Jeeves – P. G. Wodehouse (Book Review)

My Man Jeeves by P. G. Wodehouse is the first second full-length humorous book I read recently. Just before reading this, I tried to read ‘Three Men in a Boat’. Although that book was funny (until where ever I dropped it), it tested my patience without a story, or a story that moved tooooooo slow. So I dropped it mid-way.

But this book, at least in comparison, is a GEM. It’s more like a collection of short stories 🙂

First thing first. Whatever the name of the protagonist (Pepper?), he has been created as such an adorable character by the author. I think the characterization is one of the biggest advantages of this book. Jeeves – his maidservant, by contrast, is not adorable, but is resourceful and still likeable. All the other characters are realistic – there are surprisingly no cardboard characters in this book, to the credit of the author!

The second thing that worked in this book is the slightly difficult (but by no means disastrous) situations the main character is put into frequently. Often, he walks into those situations himself! The author surely has a lot of imagination 🙂

The vulnerability of the main character is what makes the book humorous, IMO. If he was created stronger – I don’t think, even with all those innovative situations, this book would have worked. The writing style needs a special mention: The Royal British English definitely adds charm to the writing. Wonder how good this book would have been if an American or an Indian author had written it!

Altogether, an excellent humorous read for a pleasant weekend. Don’t miss reading a humorous classic 🙂

Gutenberg Download link for eBook (Free): My Man Jeeves.

Destination Infinity

8 thoughts on “My Man Jeeves – P. G. Wodehouse (Book Review)

  1. sm

    Nice review, may be in future i will read it.

    1. Rajesh K

      Do read, this is a good book 🙂

      Destination Infinity

  2. Nandhini Chandrasekaran

    I’ve been thinking lately why I get books mostly of serious stuff for reviews. I rarely see humour in books. Good to have landed here. Will get it ordered.

    1. Rajesh K

      You can just download it from Gutenberg site and listen to it using an app (FBReader) in your phone. That’s what I did! If you have a tablet, you can even read it easily using that.

      Destination Infinity

      1. Nandhini Chandrasekaran

        I usually prefer hard bound books and keep away much from electronics. But I will try your instructions this time as downloading seems easier than spending money.

  3. Ashwini CN

    I recently read ‘Carry on Jeeves’ and I love that character. How he always has a solution to a problem and his amazing contacts! Going to read more in that series 🙂

    1. Rajesh K

      Oh, I didn’t know there was a book called ‘Carry On Jeeves’! Would love to read it after Anna Karenia.

      Destination Infinity

  4. Rohini

    PGW! He is one of my favorites 🙂 I got the whole Jeeves collection last year… I just have one book left 🙂
    Whenever I feel low, I just pick up one of his books and it definitely lifts my spirits 🙂
    Liked your review of the book! 🙂

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