P. G. Wodehouse

[NickKIELCEPoland]

P. G. Wodehouse wrote novels and short stories between about 1920 and 1960.

His work is all satirical.

He mainly writes about the English upper classes, but other spheres of society don't escape his wit.

I can stronly recommend him, for anyone who wants to learn about traditional English life. He is the kind of writer who puts you in a good mood.

Have you read anything by him? What do you think?

[Donkey]

P. G. Wodehouse wrote novels and short stories between about 1920 and 1960.

His work is all satirical.

He mainly writes about the English upper classes, but other spheres of society don't escape his wit.

I can stronly recommend him, for anyone who wants to learn about traditional English life. He is the kind of writer who puts you in a good mood.

Have you read anything by him? What do you think?

I've read some of his Jeeves and Wooster stories, being led there by the truly brilliant Fry and Laurie tv show. :thumbsup:

[Michael]

For really biting satire of the British upper classes of the Edwardian and post-WW1 era, I like Evelyn Waugh, whom I've always described as having a 'light touch with dark satire'.

I've never read any Wodehouse.

[NickKIELCEPoland]

For really biting satire of the British upper classes of the Edwardian and post-WW1 era, I like Evelyn Waugh, whom I've always described as having a 'light touch with dark satire'.

I've never read any Wodehouse.
Wodehouse is not exactly biting satire.
His characters are likeable, even though they are the object of his satire.

[Michael]

Wodehouse is not exactly biting satire.
His characters are likeable, even though they are the object of his satire.

When it comes to the British ruling elites of the 1910-1940 period, mild satire is insufficient. Biting and deadly satire is what the topic calls for.

[NickKIELCEPoland]

When satire is too biting, it often doesn't get off the ground.
Wodehouse presented his satire in a totally innocuous fashion, showing the aristocrat (Bertie Wooster) as dim, but likeable and his butler (Jeeves) as clever and intellectual, while both were likeable.

Everybody loved his books, whatever class.

Too much bite stops the satire dead.

[Michael]

When satire is too biting, it often doesn't get off the ground.
Wodehouse presented his satire in a totally innocuous fashion, showing the aristocrat (Bertie Wooster) as dim, but likeable and his butler (Jeeves) as clever and intellectual, while both were likeable.

Everybody loved his books, whatever class.

Too much bite stops the satire dead.

Too mild of satire ends up making the target look worthy of sympathy.

[Donkey]

Too mild of satire ends up making the target look worthy of sympathy.

Wodehouse depicts the upper class, especially the protaganist, of being so incapable that one questions whether he is not perhaps somewhat handicapped. So incredibly inane, idiotic and ignorant of everything, but not malicious.

[Michael]

Wodehouse depicts the upper class, especially the protaganist, of being so incapable that one questions whether he is not perhaps somewhat handicapped. So incredibly inane, idiotic and ignorant of everything, but not malicious.

Yes, that's sounds like the right tone for that set. They weren't malicious. Most ruling elites who screw things up do so based on ignorance, greed and stupidity.

[NickKIELCEPoland]

You should read Mulliner nights. It's great.

[Donkey]

I wouldn't call his satire innocuous. He very clearly states: "This social system is the most fucking ridiculous thing in the world."

[NickKIELCEPoland]

Donkey has referred to Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie's excellent portrayal of Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster.

Here is an extract.

Roderick Spode is an aggressive, violent fascist. But Jeeves knows a secret about him, and reveals to Bertie that if Bertie says he knows all about Eulelie, Spode will be like a puppy.
Bertie Wooster's friend Gussie Fink-Nottle, is in Bertie's room hiding from the aggressive fascist Roderick Spode, who is after him. Bertie comes in, and on hearing Gussie tell of his fear of Spode, assures him that he will pacify Spode. However, he forgets the name Eulelie...

Watch the extract,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5O9Nkyrv1M&NR=1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5O9Nkyrv1M&NR=1)

[NickKIELCEPoland]

And here we have Gussie Fink-Nottle, cheeking the fascist Spode.
(Spode is a parody of the 1930s British fascist, Oswald Mosley, who led the Black Shirts. Spode leads the Black Shorts.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWRwbsGVNCc&feature=related

[NickKIELCEPoland]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go3NWaMxwfg&NR=1
And more brilliant Wodehouse, with the brilliant Hugh Laurie.