The Code of the Woosters (1938)

“Never let a pal down.”

If someone told me how hilarious The Code of the Woosters was I wouldn’t have believed them with a bat of an eyelash. As someone who doesn’t laugh very easily I’m surprised by the countless of guffaws and snorts I let out as I‌ made my way through this charming novel. P.G. Wodehouse’s prose is easy-breezy with an amusing lyrical clang that bangs with comical twists and ingenious schemes. Wonderfully stitched, it tells of Bertram Wooster and a series of seemingly ridiculous mishaps he has to get himself out of with a brilliant helping hand from his cunning manservant Jeeves. With a number of betrothals to fix, a cow-creamer to acquire for a dear aunt, and a stolen policeman helmet to rid of, The Code of the Woosters is a perfect blend of manipulation, silliness, and creative wordplay (fun enough to say out loud whilst reading) without much of a clear conclusion in sight. This builds anticipation really well; the pages end up being consumed quicker than expected then it closes with a big grin of relief. Ah, all’s well that end’s well indeed. ( )

The crown jewel of the Jeeves and Wooster series. ( )

one of the best Wooster books. Some of the best quotes too. ( )

2020 reread via full cast audiobook (Martin Jarvis as Jeeves) streamed from LATW website. This (possibly slightly abridged) edition isn't quite as good as the Jonathan Cecil narration but it was still a extremely funny book. A great way to spend a morning :) ( )

Wodehouse, P. G. The Code of the Woosters. 1938. Jeeves No. 7. Norton, 2011.
Science fiction author Connie Willis was recently asked to name a few books she likes to reread in these troubled times. One of the books on her list was The Code of the Woosters by P. G. Woodhouse, one of the best of the Jeeves and Bertie Wooster stories. So, naturally, I had to reread it myself. And then I had to dive into YouTube to scare up the Jeeves and Wooster television series, starring a young Hugh Laurie (these days best remembered for playing Dr. House) and Stephen Fry. By now my Wodehouse addiction is well and truly cranked up. Soon I will be striding around the house saying, “What ho!” to all and sundry and dreaming about Donald Trump as Spode harassing Madeleine Bassett and Gussy Fink-Nottle at Mar Lago. May the dog Bartholomew bite him on the ankle. Really, kids, you should read yourself some Wodehouse—it’ll give you sweet comic dreams. ( )