One of my goals in 2020 is to read more. See other books I've read or listened to here.
I started Joy in the Morning by P G Wodehouse last summer as my beach book. In May 2020, while waiting at the vet for 5 hours, I finished it.
Bertie Wooster reluctantly accepts an invite to the village of Steeple Bumpleigh where Lord Worplesdon (Aunt Agatha’s second husband) lives, as he knows there will be a fancy dress party he can attend. His man, Jeeves, wants to do a little fishing. Little do they know they’ll be pulled into Nobby and Boko’s engagement, Florence and Cheesewright’s disengagement, all the misadventures of Edwin the Boy Scout and more…
I’ve read several of the Jeeves and Wooster Series, having grown up on the Fry and Laurie version form the BBC. These are books that make me laugh out loud; a very rare thing. They are silly and irreverant, with great imagery. But I do find them hard to get into sometimes. The language is unique, which is partly what makes Wodehouse’s books great, entertaining and intelligent, but also difficult to break in to. I almost feel like you have to prepare yourself to go back in time to the roaring 20s and you must act and listen accordingly. But once you’re there, it’s a great joyous ride, with reference to poets, Shakespeare, activities, fashion and songs of the time, almost impossible predicaments, a host of odd and funny characters, frightful Aunts, and a whole lot of silliness. A word that comes to mind is uproarious. I highly recommend Joy in the Morning, and any PG Wodehouse books I’ve read, for those who love humorous novels, silly characters, books about the teens and 20s, and all those who love distinctly British comedy.
Who are your favorite humorous novelists?
I really loved this little illustration on the back of this novel. Hilarious, once you’ve read the book!