When I was in my teens, I used to love reading thrillers – the Hardys, the Famous Five, Sherlock Holmes, and so on and so forth. Then came Dan Browns, David Baldaccis etc. But of late my passion is enjoying the humorous and skillful writings of Sir P. G. Wodehouse. I did read one or two pieces of his work when I was in school, but was not able to appreciate whatever I had got hold of. Infact I don’t even recollect the book I had read. Then, I again stumbled upon this genius while I was in Pune. We had this neat little concept of sharing books among project team members. And that’s how I got hold of “EGGS, BEANS & CRUMPETS” and “THE ADVENTURES OF SALLY”. I gulped them down with a matter of days and enjoyed it so much that its after-effects still persist. Then on I have started collecting his works regularly, and am still not done. I have finished with the “BLANDINGS CASTLE” saga and the “PSMITH” series. Currently, am devouring “SUMMER MOONSHINE”.
Is all this fuss that I make justified? I rarely hear his writings being mentioned among friends. They feel this work is too devoid of life, and is too impractical and maybe a bit predictable. And even he himself did not get his due worth of attention and appreciation till late in his career.
But somehow I cannot help but enjoy his work. His style of writing is something I admire the most. The way he expresses little things, say for example while describing the emotions of a person experiencing something embarrassing, is incredible and unmatched. He has a complete mastery of words and is the best juggler. There may be other writers who have a more profound line of thought, but when it comes to presentation, Sir Wodehouse wins by miles. The chaos and confusion he creates, the picture of despair that he draws from the eyes of a forlorn lover is simply beyond description. And he has an eye for nature as well. The not vivid but still elegant description of nature at her best in English counties is something which I can feel from within. Then there is always the silly little fights between lovers, maybe borne out of suspicion or circumstances. As the characters themselves point out in the “BLANDINGS CASTLE” saga, the Blandings Castle is a dreamy little place full of impostors. However, what is worth noting that all the mischief and tomfoolery is without doing some real lasting harm on others.
Personally, I am bigger fan of “BLANDINGS CASTLE” than “JEEVES”. And my favourite character is the Earl of Emsworth, Clarence Threepwood. Oh! How I wish I could be like him. Nothing to do in this world, nothing to worry about, and just pottering about the ancestral home. His philosophy is simple – “Live and let live”.
This post is not a review of his works, but just an expression of my love for his writings. Wish my writing was as crisp and as lucid as Sir P. G. Wodehouse.
