Heavy Weather (1933)

It started with a few Jeeves short stories, then "The Code of the Woosters," then "Barmy in Wonderland," and finally, Blandings. I now find I am starving, hysterical, naked and dragging myself through the halls of Downton Abbey, looking for the Wodehouse fix. This is not my favorite Wodehouse novel, nor even the best Blandings farce I've read, but it still contains enough of the goofy Wodehousian poetry to tide me over until I next need to go looking for my man with twenty-six dollars (or whatever) in my hand to get my sweet taste. ( )

A humorous story of the obstacles arising when Ronnie Fish, an English gentleman, decides that he wants to wed Sue Brown, a chorus girl, which was frowned upon socially in 1930's England. Of course, this is an England that never existed and the action nearly all takes place in Blandings Castle, the country house of Lord Emsworth.
The writing is an unmitigated joy, flowing easily with many humorous stories, and the characterisation, although played for comedy with very recognisable types, is well drawn.The plot is tight, keeps moving and is cleverly constructed. The sub-plot, about Lord Emsworth's prize pig, the Empress of Blandings is also well integrated with the main story.
The weather in the book may include storms and downpours, but it is a delight to read, and leaving a very warm feeling.

Heavy Weather is a direct sequel to Summer Lightning, having many of the same characters and happening just a week or so later, so though hugely enjoyable in its own right, it is best read after Summer Lightning.
I read the Folio Society edition, beautifully and copiously illustrated by Paul Cox, which is a joy in itself. ( )

A classic Blandings Castle farce. Staring the Empress of Blandings, a chorus girl, Sir Galahad and a private investigator called Percy Pilbeam. ( )

Galahad Threepwood! a strange twist on the Dickensian avuncular type. ( )

From the first sentence to the last Heavy Weather was a joy to read. It sparkles with wonderful characterizations, settings, situations, dialogue and, of course, humour. The twists and turns of the plot flowed smoothly from one to another naturally and effortlessly. It is a masterpiece painted in prose.

This is a sequel to Summer Lightning and there are a number of references to events in that book, but the story is not dependent on those events and can be followed with having any knowledge of them. ( )