Customer Reviews

Thank You, Jeeves (A Jeeves and Bertie Novel)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Previous: Very Good, Jeeves

The first of the Jeeves novels, Thank You, Jeeves is outstanding in every way, and it is a terrible shame that this brilliant book appears to be out of print. This is, in fact, one of my three favorite Jeeves books. The story is deliciously different, and eccentric at every turn. I think what is most noticeable about this book is the exquisite relationship between Bertie and Jeeves. We are wounded along with Bertie in the opening pages when Jeeves gives notice, although what follows makes their relationship more interesting than ever and, if I may say so, charming. This is the only book in which we "see" the servant's quarters (where Bertie spends much of his time seeking out Jeeves's advice), and the first in which we see how utterly devoted Jeeves is to the "golden-hearted" Bertie (Jeeves's words), although for the vast majority of the book he doesn't even work for him. Full of hilarious sequences such as Bertie's getting awakened every few minutes by the police constable, and getting chased by a drunk Brinkley (the new valet) with a carving knife (an event which is alluded to more than once in later novels). A wonderful, sweet, and zany book that tops the list of must-reads for Jeeves and Bertie fans.

I could be wrong, but I believe the reason for this book's being out of print is Mr. Wodehouse's repeated use of the word "nigger." In context, it is perfectly obvious that while the word is slang, it is never meant to be the extremely offensive and derogatory word that it is to my generation. In fact, Bertie has nothing but respect for the "nigger minstrels" and only wants to learn some banjolele-playing tips from them. The use of the word is simply a reflection of the times in which Wodehouse wrote-after all, this book was written more than seventy years ago, and times, and words, change.

Next: Right Ho, Jeeves

Bertie is in an awful pickle when Jeeves, over Bertie's constant playing of the banjolele, leaves his employment and is replaced by a knife weilding socialist who would rather see his blood running down the gutters than bring him his cup of tea. In this absolutely hilarious book from the Master, Bertie find himself in a burning house, chased by a knife weilding valet who thinks he is the devil, hounded by cops in the middle of the night, visited by ex-fiances in his bedroom, having his face painted black to escape from the yatch of an American millionaire, a kindered soul in 'England's biggest alienist' and in jail (again). Whew, what an adventure.
This is also P.G.Wodehouse's first full length novel, and on reading it one chafes that he did not start writing full length Jeeves novels earlier. This book is a very enjoyable read, if you like P.G.Wodehouse, you will definitely take to this one, if you don't, then obviously you have not read the man's works, and this is a great place to start.

Wodehouse is a funny "Brit". His Jeeve's short stories are great entertainment, especially if you want to make a time trip back to the past in MOE. "Thank you, Jeeves", his first novel, got a little slow in some of the chapters. Additionally, if you don't know the colloquialisms of the British thirties some of the funny stuff is lost, but those are minor problems and I continue trying to collect first editions of his work.

This is one of the funniest of the uniformly funny Jeeves and Wooster books. The scene with Chuffy, Pauline, and Bertie in the bedroom is worth the entire price of the book.

Some reviewers have objected to the use of the word "nigger" in the book. This is a British book written in 1936. The word had absolutely no negative connotations in that context at the time (the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, models of decorum, use the word more than once), and to complain of it is sheer ignorance. Here, as always, if you don't know what you're talking about, it's better not to talk.

Wodehouse fans -- if you haven't read it, read it now.

This is a must read for anybody interested in Wodehouse's work. Set in Chuffnell Regis as a result of Bertie's suddenly found passion for Banjolele, the plot thickens with hiliarious twists. I read this book 4 times just for the character of Sir Roderick. What a book!

I love Wodehouse's Jeeves book. My review and rating concern the Overlook Press edition. While this edition is commendable in many ways, it falls short in one critical respect. The hardcover, binding, and paper are very nice. However, the font is small. I'm not that old, and I read a lot for work and pleasure. The font is appreciably smaller than usual for hardbacks, paperbacks, magazines, newspapers, and journal articles. It strains the eyes. So, while Wodehouse's content would merit a 5, this edition gets a 3. Hopefully, this review will help someone who (like me) is already a fan of Wodehouse and is looking for a nice hardcover. This edition would be perfect if the font were larger.

Ever the bachelor, Wooster seems dependent on his trusty servant Jeeves. For those that wonder what Wooster would be like with Jeeves in the service of another, this is the book. Reflecting a bygone era, "Thank You Jeeves" is laced with British humor that even those in the New World could appreciate.

The story start with Bertie's refusal to give up the obnoxious banjolele. Jeeves makes the choice to end his employment, including not following Wooster's latest exploits. Wooster relocates to Chuffnell Regis, a town run by an old school chum, so that he can play his instrument in the solitude of the country. But matters are complicated when he goes to lunch with his old pal and a love triangle is apparently drawn. Bertie quickly sees that his friend and former fiance are in love, and does everything he can to help them become engaged. Of course, he only manages to bugger everything up. Enter Jeeves.

Though some of the humor is dated, it will not be lost on contemporary audiences. The prospect of a lord in face paint is enough to raise an eyebrow by itself. In its own right, Jeeves is a classic.

I just loved Thank You, Jeeves - such a character - I think he's one of the best characters PG made!!! I think in our hearts we all wish we had a friend like Jeeves....so he's the best! But then again I am such a sucker for all of Wodehouse and the wacky people he created, and will never stop reading his stories, (or watching some of the Jeeves and Wooster on DVD), and you are going to enjoy Jeeves too, and you are going to laugh. But that's not all, you get great word play, you get comedy, you get farce, but you also get human emotions and last but not least, you get a look back in time - not really that far back only 100 years or so, give or take, but at a time that we can remember but without cell phones, where newspapers came out two or 3 times a day, where telegrams were sent like we email and where you could still get away with a clever impersonation! Enjoy! And if you are looking for some more Wodehouse fare, these are a few rare but VERY funny books that you will enjoy every last page of......

The Head Of Kay's: A British Humor Classic
The Gold Bat: A British Humor Classic
The Gem Collector: A British Humor Classic
The Coming Of Bill: A British Humor Classic
The Clicking Of Cuthbert: A British Humor Classic

Enjoy each and every Wodehouse you can find! :)

P.G. Wodehouse's novels reflect a bygone era, which may cause his novels to seem somewhat dated in terms of modern comparisons. Yet his main character's adventures and misadventures are as funny and fascinating as ever, transcending time with comic genius. In "Thank You, Jeeves", Bertie Wooster finds out what happens when he believes he does not need his irreplaceable valet Jeeves.

The separation of lord and servant begins with Bertie's refusal to give up the banjolele and Jeeves refuses to remain with him. After some trouble with others in his apartment building, Bertie Wooster repairs to Chuffnell Regis, a town run by an old school friend, so that he can play his instrument to his heart's delight in a cottage by the harbor. But matters are complicated when he goes to lunch with his old pal, and finds a former fiance in attendance, as well as her less-than-happy-to-see-Bertie-Wooster father and the man who was responsible for ruining their engagement. Bertie quickly sees that his friend and former fiance are in love, and does everything he can to help them become engaged, but only manages to mess everything up. It's at a time like this that he could really use Jeeves, who just happens to have been employed by said friend, to set everyone to rights again.

"Thank You, Jeeves" is a fast-paced, chuckle out loud read that is difficult to put down. For those familiar with other Wodehouse works, neither Bertie's scrapes and difficulties will come as a surprise, nor the manner in which Jeeves solves everything. The plot is extremely thin, and this novel seems much more dated than others in the series, but it is still classic Wodehouse and entirely enjoyable.

I'll make this short. I won't get into the "N-word minstrels" issue (the troupe never appear onstage, and Jeeves is his usual formal self when he refers to them). I won't praise the comic language, as worthy as it is of praise. I'll just note that in his first Jeeves novel, Wodehouse is reaching toward the polish (pardon the word) of the next novel. The ending of this one is not nearly as neat, and Jeeves is much more voluble than elsewhere: Bertie and gang have to cut him short. (Wodehouse did one short story in Jeeves's own voice. It was an excellent story, but, somehow, it didn't work.) Jeeves just gets better later on: smoother--and sneaky, bigosh! Have fun here, and then go forward.