Book #14

Leave it to Psmith
P.G. Wodehouse

Yes, more Wodehouse.  Though Jeeves and Wooster are first in my heart, in the world of Wodehouse, you have already seen that I enjoy the stories told by Mr. Mulliner, and now, you will learn that I also enjoy the stories set at Blandings Castle.

The story revolves around a Mr. Psmith (the P is silent) and after starting off in London, he and the lady he has just met move to Blandings Castle, the fictional setting of many Wodehouse stories and several novels.  Blandings Castle is the home of the Earl of Emsworth, a rather doddy old man, his sister Constance, a rather formidable Lady, and yes, the capital L in Lady is appropriate, Emsworth's feckless son, Freddie Threepwood, as well as Beach the butler, Angus McAllister, the head gardener, and at least at the moment of the story, Baxter the secretary.  To those who have read any Blandings Castle stories, these are well known characters.

In typical Wodehouse fashion, the plot is convoluted, and set off with the most hilarious mistakes and missteps.  I would have to write a thousand words to do the plot justice, so I won't bother, except to note that this story actually involves gun play, which is most unusual in a Wodehouse story and also involves certain persons of a quite unsavory nature, but as it always does with Wodehouse, things work out in the end.  And in fact, one spoiler here, Mr. Psmith ends up replacing Baxter as Lord Emsworth's secretary.

Great fun and well worth the read.