Author: P. G. Wodehouse
Title: The Inimitable Jeeves
Publication Info: Blackstone Audiobooks (2000), Edition: Unabridged, Audio CD
ISBN: 0786199032
Summary/Review:
Two things marred my enjoyment of this otherwise fine collection of Wodehouse stories. First, the audiobook narrator employed an obnoxiously high-pitched voice in his characterizations of Wooster and Jeeves and with little nuance or finesse at that. Second, I’d seen many of these stories performed by Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry in the TV series, and for some reason the first way I hear a story always feels like “the right way.” Silly thing, I know.
This book collects together several short stories and weaves them into a single narrative to create a pseudo-novel. Almost all of the stories focus on Bertie’s friend Bingo who is constantly falling in love serving as a satire for the overly-romantic. All of the stories capture the foibles of the decadent leisure class of aristocratic England and gambling is frequent. My favorite part is when a contest is established to bet on which of the local pastors will preach the longest and most boring sermon.
All an all, an entertaining if not great work, probably better read than listened to.
Rating: **1/2
Panorama of the Mountains 