First impressions of my first two Jeeves and Wooster novels by P.G. Wodehouse

I only discovered humorist P.G. Wodehouse a year or two ago, and along with his short stories, two Jeeves and Wooster novels were frequently recommended as the best place to begin, so that's where I started: “Right Ho, Jeeves” (1934) and “Code of the Woosters” (1938). I've read many Wodehouse books since, but these are my first impressions from that time.

Many of Wodehouse's short stories and novels are about his Jeeves and Wooster characters. Bertie Wooster is an idle and rich gentleman, who along with his buddies gets entangled in all kinds of social misadventures, many of them romantic. It is frequently up to the genius of his highly intelligent and competent valet Jeeves to extricate them from their troubles. 

Right Ho, Jeeves (Jeeves series, Vol 1)

Along with "The Code of the Woosters" (1938), “Right Ho, Jeeves” (1934) is often regarded as one of the best points of entry for the madcap comedy that results when P.G. Wodehouse tells tales of Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves. 

 It is one of the best known of the series, and revolves around Bertie trying to play Cupid for several sets of friends.  Gussie Fink-Nottle is shy and spends most of his time studying his beloved newts, but he has emerged from his estate to try his luck at seeking marriage with the dreamy Madeline Bassett.  Meanwhile his friend Tuppy Glossop is romantically involved with Bertie's cousin Angela. 

 Bertie joins this cast of characters at the home of his Aunt Dahlia, but rather than solving everyone's romantic problems, things go spectacularly wrong, and it is up to the genius of his valet Jeeves to save the day.  There are hilarious scenes involving a drunken prize-giving speech at a local school, a terrified guy stuck in a skylight, and even an accidental proposal of marriage by Bertie himself!   

 This book is a fine example of Wodehouse's madcap humour, and a rip-roaring read that still entertains modern audiences.

The Code of the Woosters  (Jeeves series, Vol 2)

“The Code of the Woosters” sees Bertie being sent on a mission by his Aunt Dahlia to purloin an antique cow-creamer from collector Sir Watkyn Bassett, the father of Madeline Bassett. She's the young lady who was recently engaged to Gussie Fink-Nottle, the newt loving guy we already met in “Right Ho, Jeeves”. 

But everything goes wrong for Bertie, and not only does his plan to reconcile Madeline and Gussie backfire, so too do his efforts to get hold of the creamer for his aunt.  Fortunately Jeeves is on hand to rescue everyone from the mess. 

 Like “Right Ho, Jeeves” this is a farcical and witty story, that showcases Wodehouse’s comic genius, wit, and clever wordplay, and doubles as a whimsical picture of the British upper class. Both are fine places to discover the madcap humor of Wodehouse.

The Jeeves and Wooster TV series

Even many people who haven't read any of Wodehouse's books may recognize the names from a well-known and award-winning British comedy TV series that ran from 1990 to 1993.  It was called “Jeeves and Wooster”, and starred Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster and Stephen Fry as Jeeves.

Naturally the TV series was based on Wodehouse's novels and short stories from the first half of the 20th century, and owes most of its success to Wodehouse’s original stories for its characters and storylines. 

Despite their age, these are stories that hold up remarkably well for modern readers. If you've never read anything by Wodehouse, this is a great place to start.