Jeeves and the King of Clubs
The author has only dashed, well, shoved out a rather acceptable story about P.G. Wodehouse’s perpetual and much-loved hero Bertie Wooster, and his infallible valet, Jeeves. We are in the mid-1930s, and Wooster is given a surprising commission from British government intelligence to assist in obtaining some information on the fascist Roderick Spoke, the Seventh Earl of Sidcup. Wodehouse aficionados will not need reminding that Bertie and the detestable Spode have had “previous” over the years. Indeed, there are a variety of familiar characters that make their welcome appearance in the story, including a fair number of Bertie’s old flames and his perpetually challenging Aunt Dahlia.
Inevitably with the chump Bertie, matters get dreadfully complicated and difficult, and it requires the serene, intellectual presence of Jeeves to sort affairs out and get our hero out of a pickle, or three or four. The narrative is wonderfully true to the essential Wodehousian style, and the humour is excellent and clever; the tale toddles along splendidly. The novel will clearly appeal most to those who love Wodehouse and his wonderful characters, but there’s no reason why anyone cannot enjoy this entertaining and engaging novel, which should persuade you to sample more of the fun, if you have not already done so – a treat in store for any Wodehouse virgins out there!
