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THE LUCK OF THE BODKINS Hardcover – January 1, 1936

by P G Wodehouse (Author)

97 ratings

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To the majority of the passengers aboard the R.M.S. "Atlantic" the voyage to America was just a pleasant interlude in life's hectic rush. But not so to Monty Bodkin. Monty's wooing of Gertrude Butterwick was not progressing as it should, and the cause of all ; he trouble was Miss Lotus Blossom, the brightest star in Hollywood's firmament. The easy cameraderie of Miss Blossom, coupled with the idea that Monty was the only person who could send the errant Ambrose back to her welcoming arms, was causing Mr. Bodkin moments of acute distress. But Lotus and Monty were not the only ones to wear the furrowed brow. Reggie Tennyson was another, and so was Ikey Llewellyn. Reggie's trouble was pecuniary; but Ikey's was more serious, for he had something on his mind—a dangerous condition for one of his mental capacity. Finally there was Albert Peasemarch, prince of stewards and singer of ballads, whose sanity was threatened by the complete goofiness of his charges. This is a book of laughter, packed with the most glorious situations and related in the deliciousiy inconsequential manner which is the hall-mark of authentic Wodehouse. In short, another Wodehouse triumph. .

Print length

298 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Little, Brown. Boston. First Printing of this edition.
Publication date

January 1, 1936
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Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000858VGW
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown. Boston. First Printing of this edition.; First Edition (January 1, 1936)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 298 pages
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3 pounds

Customer Reviews:
97 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		62%
4 star		21%
3 star		9%
2 star		2%
1 star		5%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Gregory

Typical Wodehouse, which isn't a bad thing

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2022

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Three couples (or would-be couples) sail to America on a cruise-ship; hi-jinks ensue. Since part of the joy of Wodehouse novels is seeing the plot unfold, I won't go into further details, but this is classic Wodehouse. If one wanted to level a criticism at it, it's a little over-stuffed, in spite of being longer than most Wodehouse novels; there's a subplot in particular, where one of the men in one of the couples becomes convinced that his brother is interested in his fiancee, that's not so much resolved as forgotten about.

This is sort of a sequel to one of the Blandings novels (Heavy Weather), but only in the sense that it has some characters in common; it only refers to the events of that novel two or three times, so it's fine if you haven't read it.

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2006

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There may be no Jeeves or Wooster, but the Luck of the Bodkins shows that P.G. Wodehouse is still able to produce a nigh flawless novel without his two most well-known characters. Wodehouse is at his creative peak with this comic soap opera about several folks on a transatlantic cruise.

The title character is Monty Bodkin who has pursued his erstwhile fiancée Gertrude onto a ship going to New York. A misunderstanding has made her break the engagement, and though it will soon be resolved, more misunderstandings will follow. Also on board is movie studio owner Ivor Llewellyn who is being coerced by his absent wife to smuggle a pearl necklace to the states; he incorrectly thinks Monty is a customs inspector and thus targets him for some bribery. There is also the actress Lotus Blossom, who is engaged to Ambrose Tennyson (cousin of Gertrude); Ambrose is contracted to work for Ivor, and is also jealous of his younger brother Reggie, who is also aboard and once had a fling with Lotus.

In addition to all these characters. there is the ship's steward, Albert Peasemarch, who in certain ways is the anti-Jeeves: he has a seemingly magic way of making any situation worse. If this is beginning to sound complicated, it is, which is why this is one of Wodehouse's longest stories. There's a lot going on, but it all comes together seamlessly.

As always, you don't read Wodehouse for deep looks at the human condition; instead you get light entertainment, which is a nice escape from the weighty issues of real life. Simply put, reading Wodehouse is fun, and the Luck of the Bodkins is Wodehouse at his best.

22 people found this helpful

Helpful

Delton T. Horn

Kindle edition is a total rip-off!!!!

Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2016

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It's a shame the lowest possible rating is one star. Negative thirty-seven would be more appropriate. I am not referring to Wodehouse's writing (which I love), but this totally worthless kindle edition. Often low priced ebook editions of older books are filled with errors because no proof-reading is done after passing the text through an optical reader. That's annoying but understandable -- it keeps the price down. But in this case, it looks like they didn't even bother to use an optical reader at all. They just scanned in each page as an illustration. This means the kindle's change font feature doesn't work. Maybe if you find it a breeze to read the bottom line of an eye test chart, you might be able to read this tiny print, but for anyone with less than perfect vision it is totally illegible. I was robbed of $5.99 for this totally worthless and useless ebook. Amazon should issue refunds to everyone who bought this edition in good faith. There is no excuse for such a rip-off.

4 people found this helpful

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Nathan Bindoff

Wodehouse: the luck of the bodkins

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2012

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Wodehouse is all about language and sending up the busines tycoons, hollywood, and of course English aristocratic types. This book does it in spades, taking a pleasure in everyone being at cross purposes, but then resolving all the difficult issues right at the end, in the most hilarious way, thus snatching victory from what appears from certain defeat...in this book all ending happily.

3 people found this helpful

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R. Thompson

Luck of the Bodkins

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2010

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This is a very fun P.G. Wodehouse book and I was excited about the earlier edition for my collection. The pages are a bit fragile but otherwise in good condition.

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Serguei Lyovin

great language - all one can expect from a Wodehouse ...

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2016

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English humour, great language - all one can expect from a Wodehouse book.

One person found this helpful

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Lawrence R. Feldman

One of the better farces...

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2014

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Other than Wooster and Jeeves, this is the better examples of Wodehouse's work. Obviously, the man at the top of his game. It's a wonder anyone from that time period ever got married.

Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2015

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A light-hearted tale about folks with too much time on their hands; typical Wodehouse.

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Top reviews from other countries

CharliesAuntsHusband

Hard work and not funny

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 19, 2018

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As a long time Wodehouse fan, I was very disappointed with this book but persevered until Chapter 9 when I was so bored and frustrated with it I couldn't continue. Suddenly Wodehouse wasn't funny, the prose and the plot was laboured and I came away thinking "who cares?"
Maybe it hots up in Ch 10 onwards - I don't know and don't intend to find out.

2 people found this helpful

J.B.M.

A Wodehouse Winner

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 27, 2015

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This book was bought as a replacement for a lost copy. I first read this novel several years ago and it is still as good as ever - P G Wodehouse up to his usual high standard. One of my favourite Wodehouse characters, Albert Peasemarch the steward, appears in this tale of love and misunderstanding aboard a transatlantic liner, in which, in true PGW style, all comes out right in the end. Delightful. The story is continued in "Pears, Girls and Monty Bodkin".

3 people found this helpful

DC

Great story

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2006

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This book is unique in Wodehouse's canon in being set almost entirely on a trans-Atlantic liner. The usual Wodehousian elements are here in abundance: lovers' misunderstandings, expensive jewellery, destitute young men trying to find money, but two central ingredients - a loquacious ship-steward and a brown plush Mickey Mouse - are probably not to be found elsewhere.

The intricate interactions and schemings of all the characters make the plot hilariously complex even for a Wodehouse novel. The high standard of writing is maintained throughout and the pace rarely slackens.

Only a couple of things may be said against the book. The eponymous hero is rather undistinctive, but the supporting cast more than compensates for his lack of individuality and provides most of the comedy and machinations. The ending is a little dragged out, but it is perhaps necessary for tying all the loose ends together.

In fine, anyone who enjoys Wodehouse's brand of humour will doubtless delight in this story. It may be recommended especially to those who wish to find Wodehouse outside London clubs and country-houses.

4 people found this helpful

Woodpusher

The Funniest Author of the 20th Century

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2014

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The usual Wodehouse-type characters. Shipboard romance; lovers in wrong places at wrong times; hilarious misunderstandings; plan after plan goes wrong. In fact, all the usual Wodehouse-type plots that we all love. Highly reommended.

2 people found this helpful

Fidelina

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2016

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Funny and fun. Quick read, nothing stretching about it.

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