P.G. Wodehouse is the antidote to life.

There are stories behind this, but since no one reads these things anyway, I'll just say that this collection made me laugh. I love Galahad of Blandings. I love the dotty old Earl of Emsworth. I even love the Hon. Freddie Threepwood, lover of pulp detective stories and constant thorn in his father's side.

A few too many of the gents are irritating, sulky, dim, or infuriating, but there are enough clever ladies and happy-go-lucky acts to cause sufficient trouble.

Just make sure to read these when you're in a mood for silliness, or they'll annoy rather than amuse. ( )

Something Fresh

"This odd impulse to leap across the compartment and kiss Joan was not love. It was merely the natural desire of a good-hearted young man to be decently chummy with his species".

In which the Hon. Freddie Threepwood is engaged to the daughter of an American millionnaire. Unfortunately Lord Emsworth has absentimindedly pocketed one of the millionnaire's priceless antique scarabs, and he is determined to get it back.

Summer Lightning

"This pig, you see, is a prize pig. Don't picture something with a kink in its tail sporting idly in the mud. Imagine, rather, a favourite daughter kidnapped from her ancestral home".

In which Lord Emsworth's nephew Ronnie and niece Millicent are both in love with unsuitable partners, the Hon. Galahad Threepwood's decision to write his (scandalous) memoirs causes consternation and the Empress of Blandings (Lord Emsworth's prize pig) is stolen.

Heavy Weather

"The proprietor of the Mammoth Publishing Company could not have put into words his ideal of a young journalist, but it would have been something rather shaggy, preferably with spectables, certainly not wearing spats."

In which Lord Emsworth's nephew Ronnie and his chorus girl fiancee Sue have romantic problems, Gally's memoirs are still causing consternation and Lord Emsworth continues to worry about the safety of the Empress of Blandings.

Reading 3 Wodehouses in a row is a bit much, as they do get rather repetitive. Young love thwarted and a purloined antique scarab. Young love thwarted and a pignapping. Young love thwarted and worries about more pignapping. See what I mean?

It would probably be better to read Something Fresh first then leave a gap and read the other two together, since the action in Heavy Weather occurs immediately after that in Summer Lightning. ( )

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