“I don’t mind telling you that, in the fullness of time, I believe this is going to spread a good deal of sweetness and light.”
The Indiscretions of Archie (1921)
Around this time every year, I post a few suggestions for anyone looking to give the gift of Wodehouse at Christmas.
For the Wodehouse devotee, Paul Kent’s new book on Wodehouse’s writing is sure to please and Wodehouse Society membership is always a good idea.
For new readers and those still working their way through Wodehouse’s substantial output, there is much to choose from. Try this reading guide if you’re looking for suggestions.
But this year I’d like to do things a little differently and ask you.
What’s on your Wodehouse wish list?
Please let us know via the comments below.
Self and cat are keen to spread some Wodehouse sweetness and light ourselves this year, so you never know your luck…
May all your wishes come true
‘You remember that old song, Spread a little happiness. Let’s sing it, shall we?’
‘Okay. I don’t recall the words too well. I’ll have to go tum-tum-tum a bit.’
‘Tum-tum-tum to your heart’s content. It’s the spirit that matters. Ready?’
‘I’m ready.’
‘Then let’s get down to it.’
They got down to it.
The Girl in Blue (1970)
On my wishlist: “BBC Jeeves & Wooster The Collected Radio Dramas”, starring Michael Hordern and Richard Briers as Jeeves and Wooster. Also featuring Maurice Denham, Paul Eddington, David Jason, John Le Mesurier, Miriam Margolyes, Jonathan Cecil, Liza Goddard and Patrick Cargill.
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A great choice Bart. I have never seen this available on CD, although it is sometimes replayed on BBC radio.
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It’s available on Amazon (17 CD’s – 17 hours of pure joy 🙂 )
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Thanks Morten! Might even get that myself.
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Mine would be Heavy Weather and Galahad at Blandings, the only two blandings books I don’t have and haven’t read so far 🙂
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Great books. I am currently going through my surplus Wodehouse books as I have several copies of some titles. If I find one of these I’m happy to send it to you.
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I have all the Wodehouse I’ve ever longed for ever since I discovered his work in high school. Many years ago, I haunted Cecil Court in London and picked up first editions (without dust jacket – couldn’t and can’t afford those) of several of my favorites. I even have some paperbacks in Italian that I picked up in Rome a long time ago. And on the strength of your spiffing review, I ordered This Is Jolly Old Fame and am champing at the bit for its arrival. My Wodehouse cup runneth over!
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It is such a pleasure to hear about your collection. I hope you enjoy Jolly Old Fame.
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“The other version” of The Prince and Betty. I believe that the American version and British version are totally different. I’ve only ever managed to find the American version……
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I think there are at least three variations! Let me check – I believe I have them all, and none was particularly hard to find.
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The U.K. Version is the easiest to find! Most modern editions, including Everyman’s (Overlook) are the U.K. Edition. To get the US version, you need to find one published by Burt. There’s still a third version titled “A Prince For Hire”, which is available through Amazon U.K. Used and new from 10.95 GBP.
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i love the audio CDs narrated by Jonathan Cecil. i have about half a dozen, but i’m looking for more. like the golf stories.
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Ed DeJesus: For your records, here’s a link to a list of all the Wodehouse that Cecil narrated:
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Thanks for sharing it Paul
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What Ho, Ed.
Outstanding choice. I feel the Cecil recordings are essential Wodehouse.
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My collection is weak on sheet music.
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Oooh. I knew it would have to be something tricky, coming from you David.
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As stated in my first post here some months ago, I too am a fan of Jonathan Cecil’s readings of Wodehouse, although I am still working my way through his readings of the Jeeves series. I too am grateful for Paul’s list of Cecil’s readings. What I love, is that, unlike radio and TV adaptations (which I still appreciate enormously, particularly that by Fry and Laurie), JC (if these are the initials I am looking for) covers the whole book unabridged. Therefore I do not miss out on Bertie’s narration and private musings often absent or watered down in dramatised versions. And to top it all off, Cecil’s voices for each character bring them to life for me. I am often amazed how he switches voices in rapid banter between characters, without so much as missing a beat. I will be using Paul’s guide to assist my navigation through the rest of my Wodehousian adventure. Greetings from Australia.
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You said it, Michael!
I really think the Cecil recordings are the next best thing to the books themselves, and they have added greatly to my enjoyment of them. I often play them at bedtime. Apart from the sheer joy of them, I also recommend them for emerging readers and for anyone who wonders about pronunciation.
Where in Australia are you?
I’m hoping a gathering can be arranged in Melbourne next year (with the Old Stepper, Noel Bushnell and others).
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HP
I lived and worked in Melbourne for five years in the late seventies but have been living in Queensland for the last 11 years. A gathering in Melbourne sounds great but I try and avoid flying whenever the opportunity presents itself. Keep me in mind though…
P.S. One of my favourite quotes from ‘Joy in the Morning’ describes Boko ‘as a cross between a comedy juggler and a parrot that has been dragged through a hedge backwards’. For some reason, this resonated with me.
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What ho, Michael. I’m a Queenslander who has lived in Melbourne most of the past 50 years. I expect to be back in the Sunshine State early in the new year. I’d suggest travelling by train but I can tell you from experience, much as I love my trains, Melb-Bris is a painful experience these days. Pip, pip — have a merry Christmas everybody.
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Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
And a very Merry Christmas to you too.
xx HP
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Watching Perfect Nonsense!
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