Both of the stories in this volume are enjoyable, but "The Mating Season" is classic Wodehouse. Any Jeeves/Wooster title that features the tortured romance of Gussie Fink-Nottle and Madeline Basset promises a treat for the reader and this is no exception. Bertie is constantly worried in case the engagement of these two comes unstuck because Madeline has him lined up as a substitute. As Bertie observes - " If a girl thinks you love her, and comes and says she is returning her betrothed to store and is now prepared to sign up with you, what can you do except marry her? One must be civil."

As usual Bertie is beset by Aunts, and not just his. His aunt Agatha, she who 'chews broken bottles and kills rats with her teeth' has instructed him to head off for Deverill Hall in order to help out at the village concert; he is more than alarmed to hear that his host, Esmond Haddock, has five aunts residing with him, who of course turn out to be a formidable bunch. For various complex reasons Bertie has to pretend to be Gussie and he is not the only member of his circle to turn up in disguise. All of the younger set who include Esmond, Bertie's friends Corky and Catsmeat-Potter and of course Gussie and Madeline have romantic problems and of course Bertie becomes involved and is in frequent need of Jeeves sage advice.
There are some wonderful set piece scenes in the book, never diminished by re-reading. I have always loved Bertie's early morning visit to The Larches, Wimbledon where he hopes to purloin a letter that could scupper the Gussie/Madeline engagement. The village concert runs it a close second for sustained comedy - this is not an entertainment one would wish to be at, but reading about it is a joy.
As ever one marvels at Wodehouse's intricate plotting, each piece perfectly placed and functioning like a swiss watch. As Bertie himself notes as he ponders the resolution of these tangled affairs, 'It came out exactly square. Not a single loose end left over.'

This is also one of the most quotable of Wodehouse stories, glorious descriptions and allusions abound such as Bertie entering the dining room at Deverill Hall to be confronted by '.. a surging sea of aunts..' Horrified at being late for dinner and unable to change into evening dress he notes that 'However tough the going..and however numerous what are called the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, you will still find Bertram in there swinging.' Sublime stuff. ( )