long live wodehouse

While the story is clasic Wodehouse (post 'school stories' and pre-Wooster), the narration by Frederick Davidson leaves much to be desired. His rendition of American accents is stilted yet robotic, which unfortunately distracts the listenter from savoring the comedy that Wodehouse is known for. Four stars for the story, but only one for the audiobook narrator.

4 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Jerky, Choppy, Scrambling, Untidy. But I Like It.

“A jerky, choppy book. Mrs. Meecher's lodging house in New York is Dickensian. Several short story themes are tied up untidily together, and there is a scrambling of loose ends to finish up.”

Thus Richard Usborne, in his ubiquitous “Plum Sauce: A P. G. Wodehouse Companion”. And I suppose he’s right. Sally’s loyalty to those who shared her impecunious days at Mrs. Meecher’s does get a tad glutinous; in his early books, Wodehouse tends to make paragons out of his heroines—not surprising, as he made the shift from light romances to lighter comedy. And, like all great artists, PGW certainly recycled material. I even agree about the jerks and chops—from romance to humor to a shot at poignant tragedy (see Gerald Foster’s drunk scene), though I can’t say any of that has ever bothered me.

I say “ever” because this is probably the 15th or 20th time I’ve listened to this book. Doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, or sipping a cocktail, chances are very good that I’m listening to Plum. I use Wodehouse like Butler Beach uses port—to steady the nerves and impart a genial glow. And, even granting all Mr. Usborne’s insights, I’ve come to appreciate the early work just as much as the masterpieces—mostly for those flashes of the mature style that burst out so unexpectedly (like a proposal of marriage to Sally interrupted by two waiters arguing in ersatz Italian). Though written around the same time as Wodehouse’s first great short story collections (The Clicking of Cuthbert, The Inimitable Jeeves) Sally is just a mildly funny, amusing romance that makes me smile. Of course, Frederick Davidson’s suave, nuanced reading helps it all go down easy, too.

3 persone l'hanno trovata utile

total delight!

I only wish PJ W had written more books with a female lead! Sally is a gem and this book an old favorite.

2 persone l'hanno trovata utile

Witty and sweet

I liked this book. The main character is kindhearted and always helping others which leads her on adventures and mishaps. The plot has many twists and turns but is slower moving than more modern books. Stick with it because it is worth it. There are also lots of little insights and wisdom about life throughout the story. I was annoyed that a book about Sally, a woman, is read by a man. He did do the best that he could though.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Hard to follow

Confusing at times, too many characters. Need a map of names to follow. Never finished.

1 persona l'ha trovata utile

Good Story, Bad Performance

The story was good, light humor — what we’ve come to expect from P.G. Wodehouse, but the reader was hard to listen to. His voice characterizations were at times annoying, and some of his inflections didn’t seem to fit the content at all. All in all, I think I’d listen to the story again, if read by someone else. I’d avoid recordings made with this reader.

Excellent narrator

Frederick Davidson reminds me od voice od David Case narraring “Longshot” my favorite. Dick Frances. Thoroughly. enjoying both.

Ought to be a play

PGW sprinkles humor all around in most books but it’s more concentrated in the dialogue here. Plot progression is simple and recognizable. Hence, could be a stage production, even a high school drama club could do it. 100 or so intervening years of culture change is problematic. How could this be updated?

Worst reading of Wodehouse I’ve ever heard

The narrator made all the characters sound boring and selfish. If you like Wodehouse this will be very disappointing.