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A Jeeves and Wooster novel featuring P.G. Wodehouse's best-loved comic duo. In this wonderful caper Bertie Wooster would rather run a mile in tight shoes than visit Totleigh Towers . . .Sparkling comic classic abridged on audio read by the inimitable Martin Jarvis.Tags
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This is a Jeeves & Wooster novel. It's got all the things you usually find in a Jeeves & Wooster novel: ridiculous situations, complicated romantic entanglements, a hilariously hapless Bertie finding himself in various troublesome situations and an unflappable Jeeves sweeping in repeatedly to save the day. Really, all of these are similar enough that after you've read a few of them, they start to take on a slight feeling of déjà vu.
But absolutely none of that matters. What matters is that when I picked this book up, I was feeling grumpy and unwell, and by the time I'd finished reading the first sentence, I was grinning from ear to ear. Such is the marvelous magic of Wodehouse.
But absolutely none of that matters. What matters is that when I picked this book up, I was feeling grumpy and unwell, and by the time I'd finished reading the first sentence, I was grinning from ear to ear. Such is the marvelous magic of Wodehouse.
'Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves' is a follow up of sorts of the far earlier 'The Code of the Woosters' and once again finds Bertram Wooster as an unwilling and unwanted guest at Totleigh Towers along with his valet Jeeve's. Bertie has been asked to stay by the owner's niece Stiffy who wants revenge on the family patriarch because he won't give her fiancé, Rev Harold 'Stinker' Pinker a vicarage. Also Sir Watkyn Bassett's daughter Madeline, who is still under the misguided belief that Bertie is in love with her, is busy forcing her own fiancé, Gussie Fink-Nottle, to become a vegetarian against his will. Bertie needs to patch up this relationship before it fails because Madeline has made it clear that if it should then Bertie will be next in show more line to share her matrimonial bed. An occurrence that Bertie is extremely keen to avoid.
In the hands of many writers, such a shallow, farcical plot simply would not work. But in the hands Wodehouse, however, readers are treated to a book that is light, funny and pokes gentle fun at the lives of England's idle rich between the two world wars.
Over the years I have read quite a number of the Jeeves and Wooster books and this was one of the later ones to be published. Unfortunately it shows. Whilst there are a few laugh out loud moments, it is also littered with the odd recycled joke or situation here and there. Overall, I think that P.G.Wodehouse is a magical writer and whilst this isn't one of the best of his books that I've read it's still a bit of harmless fun that never takes itself too seriously and I look forward to dip in and out of his output when I feel in need of some light relief. show less
In the hands of many writers, such a shallow, farcical plot simply would not work. But in the hands Wodehouse, however, readers are treated to a book that is light, funny and pokes gentle fun at the lives of England's idle rich between the two world wars.
Over the years I have read quite a number of the Jeeves and Wooster books and this was one of the later ones to be published. Unfortunately it shows. Whilst there are a few laugh out loud moments, it is also littered with the odd recycled joke or situation here and there. Overall, I think that P.G.Wodehouse is a magical writer and whilst this isn't one of the best of his books that I've read it's still a bit of harmless fun that never takes itself too seriously and I look forward to dip in and out of his output when I feel in need of some light relief. show less
A satisfactory read - but...
Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves is consistently funny, and actually moves along the plots of the wealth of recurring characters Wodehouse had compiled by this point. However, it feels a little bit like we're on autopilot. Nothing is quite as outrageous as in the earlier novels, and often chapters will end with situations being salvaged rather than worsened! That's not to say that Wodehouse is straying from the formula: instead he's using the regular 'Jeeves' formula but seems to have removed some of the spicier ingredients.
I wouldn't recommend this book to newcomers. There are far too many recurring characters for a new reader, and the situational comedy doesn't reach anything near the heights of The Code of the show more Woosters, for example. (A book that is referred to constantly here, making the comparison all the more bitter.)
The novel was published in 1963, by which time Wodehouse was in his 80s(!) and had been writing Jeeves and Wooster stories for 50 years(!!). For loyal fans, there are still charms to soothe the savage breast. Regardless of my qualms, the narrative voice remains as sublime as it has ever been. A diverting read for the helpless Wodehouse acolyte. show less
Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves is consistently funny, and actually moves along the plots of the wealth of recurring characters Wodehouse had compiled by this point. However, it feels a little bit like we're on autopilot. Nothing is quite as outrageous as in the earlier novels, and often chapters will end with situations being salvaged rather than worsened! That's not to say that Wodehouse is straying from the formula: instead he's using the regular 'Jeeves' formula but seems to have removed some of the spicier ingredients.
I wouldn't recommend this book to newcomers. There are far too many recurring characters for a new reader, and the situational comedy doesn't reach anything near the heights of The Code of the show more Woosters, for example. (A book that is referred to constantly here, making the comparison all the more bitter.)
The novel was published in 1963, by which time Wodehouse was in his 80s(!) and had been writing Jeeves and Wooster stories for 50 years(!!). For loyal fans, there are still charms to soothe the savage breast. Regardless of my qualms, the narrative voice remains as sublime as it has ever been. A diverting read for the helpless Wodehouse acolyte. show less
Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster series was published from 1919 to 1974 and I suspect that by the time STIFF UPPER LIP was published the timeless Bertie Wooster may have lost most of his followers. Certainly by 1963 the style and content of this novel would have felt very dated. Part of me recognises that it is meant to be hilariously funny, and another part recognises that it is a spoof, but most of my brain didn't like it.
So why did I listen to it? Well, I was trying to add to the novels that I am reading and listening to for Cruisin' thru Cozies Reading Challenge reading challenge. I kept listening because I thought I might come across a redeeming feature but sadly it got no better. A niggling voice at the back of my mind kept asking show more me why I was persisting.
But then if you, unlike me, enjoy the comic mixed in with your crime fiction, and are looking for a light read/audio then you might enjoy a dabble in the Jeeves/Wooster novels. Predictably, you won't find me there. My tastes are definitely darker. show less
So why did I listen to it? Well, I was trying to add to the novels that I am reading and listening to for Cruisin' thru Cozies Reading Challenge reading challenge. I kept listening because I thought I might come across a redeeming feature but sadly it got no better. A niggling voice at the back of my mind kept asking show more me why I was persisting.
But then if you, unlike me, enjoy the comic mixed in with your crime fiction, and are looking for a light read/audio then you might enjoy a dabble in the Jeeves/Wooster novels. Predictably, you won't find me there. My tastes are definitely darker. show less
Oh Bertie, Bertie, Bertie. You do have quite the habit of getting yourself into all kinds of scrapes, don’t you? What on earth would you do without Jeeves to bail you out all the time? Oh, goodness, it would be utter chaos!
Without a doubt, the highlight of this book is definitely the relationship between Jeeves and Bertie Wooster – or rather the utter and complete dependance that Bertie has on Jeeves. While we can rest assured that Jeeves would survive in someone else’s employ, we are left with the impression that Bertie would end up married to a half a dozen women, and probably blubbering in the corner of a jail cell due to some grave misunderstanding, if he were without Jeeves for an extremely extended period of time. And show more that’s not something I would particularly like to see. I have to admit that I am extremely fond of seeing how affronted Bertie gets at Jeeves before having Jeeves explain to him that he really is helping Bertie out of some insane circumstance.
Oddly enough, the only other Jeeves book that I’ve read is Right Ho, Jeeves, which also had a whole lot of focus on the relationship between Gussie Fink-Nottle and Madeline Bassett – in that one, Gussie wanted Bertie’s help to woo Madeline Bassett, whereas in this one they’re having extreme relationship issues and Bertie is determined to keep them together (in the fear that he would have to marry Miss Bassett if the two were to split). It led to a good sense of continuity, I felt, even though that one was written mid-way through the series, and this one near the end.
(Yes, this was one of the last of the Jeeves books that were written, and if I was reading them in order, that would make me quite sad. Thankfully, that is not the case!)
I definitely enjoyed reading Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves though really wish some of the secondary characters had a bit more time in the spotlight – especially Gussie Fink-Nottle. I do quite like him a lot… though I think that like might just stem from the fact that he has one of the worst names in the history of bad names.
The Bottom Line
Highly recommended to people who really enjoy a good comedy of manners. Am looking forward to reading more J&W books. show less
Without a doubt, the highlight of this book is definitely the relationship between Jeeves and Bertie Wooster – or rather the utter and complete dependance that Bertie has on Jeeves. While we can rest assured that Jeeves would survive in someone else’s employ, we are left with the impression that Bertie would end up married to a half a dozen women, and probably blubbering in the corner of a jail cell due to some grave misunderstanding, if he were without Jeeves for an extremely extended period of time. And show more that’s not something I would particularly like to see. I have to admit that I am extremely fond of seeing how affronted Bertie gets at Jeeves before having Jeeves explain to him that he really is helping Bertie out of some insane circumstance.
Oddly enough, the only other Jeeves book that I’ve read is Right Ho, Jeeves, which also had a whole lot of focus on the relationship between Gussie Fink-Nottle and Madeline Bassett – in that one, Gussie wanted Bertie’s help to woo Madeline Bassett, whereas in this one they’re having extreme relationship issues and Bertie is determined to keep them together (in the fear that he would have to marry Miss Bassett if the two were to split). It led to a good sense of continuity, I felt, even though that one was written mid-way through the series, and this one near the end.
(Yes, this was one of the last of the Jeeves books that were written, and if I was reading them in order, that would make me quite sad. Thankfully, that is not the case!)
I definitely enjoyed reading Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves though really wish some of the secondary characters had a bit more time in the spotlight – especially Gussie Fink-Nottle. I do quite like him a lot… though I think that like might just stem from the fact that he has one of the worst names in the history of bad names.
The Bottom Line
Highly recommended to people who really enjoy a good comedy of manners. Am looking forward to reading more J&W books. show less
'It makes me so sad to think of your hopeless love, Bertie,' she said, adding something which I didn't quite catch about moths and stars. 'Life is so tragic, so cruel. But what can I do?'
'Not a thing,' I said heartily. 'Just carry on regardless.'
When Madeline Bassett forces him to become a vegetarian, Gussie Fink-Nottle threatens to rebel, and Bertie has to try to get their engagement back on track or else he may have to marry drippy Madeline himself. His stay at Totleigh Towers is complicated by Stiffy Bing trying to ensnare him in one of her madcap schemes, and the suspicions of Sir Watkyn Basset and Roderick Spode who have never forgiven Bertie for his involvement in his Aunt Dahlia's scheme to steal Sir Watkyn's antique show more cow-creamer.
This plot may all sound terribly familiar, but it doesn't play out quite as expected. Enjoyable fluff. show less
'Not a thing,' I said heartily. 'Just carry on regardless.'
When Madeline Bassett forces him to become a vegetarian, Gussie Fink-Nottle threatens to rebel, and Bertie has to try to get their engagement back on track or else he may have to marry drippy Madeline himself. His stay at Totleigh Towers is complicated by Stiffy Bing trying to ensnare him in one of her madcap schemes, and the suspicions of Sir Watkyn Basset and Roderick Spode who have never forgiven Bertie for his involvement in his Aunt Dahlia's scheme to steal Sir Watkyn's antique show more cow-creamer.
This plot may all sound terribly familiar, but it doesn't play out quite as expected. Enjoyable fluff. show less
Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves is yet another all time favorite book!
Bartholomew the Scottish Terrier, always game for some fighting and biting, is a delight every time he shows up on page. A highlight of the book for me! Wodehouse captures dogs so well.
Stiffy, who, in Bertie’s estimation, is “pure padded cell, from the foundations up” is another highlight and an aspirational figure for myself. I couldn’t get enough of the descriptions of her silvery laughs. She might be my favorite female character that I’ve read from Wodehouse so far.
Bartholomew the Scottish Terrier, always game for some fighting and biting, is a delight every time he shows up on page. A highlight of the book for me! Wodehouse captures dogs so well.
Stiffy, who, in Bertie’s estimation, is “pure padded cell, from the foundations up” is another highlight and an aspirational figure for myself. I couldn’t get enough of the descriptions of her silvery laughs. She might be my favorite female character that I’ve read from Wodehouse so far.
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P. G. Wodehouse was born in Guildford, United Kingdom on October 15, 1881. After completing school, he spent two years as a banker at the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in London and then took a job as a sports reporter and columnist for the Globe newspaper. His first novel, The Pothunters, was published in 1902. He wrote over 100 novels and short show more story collections during his lifetime including A Perfect Uncle, Love Among the Chickens, The Swoop, P. Smith in the City, Meet Mr. Milliner, Doctor Sally, Quick Service, The Old Reliable, Uneasy Money, A Damsel in Distress, Jill the Reckless, The Adventures of Sally, A Pelican at Blandings, The Girl in Blue, and Aunts Aren't Gentlemen. His most famous characters, Bertie Wooster and his manservant, Jeeves, appeared in books such as Much Obliged, Jeeves. He also wrote lyrics for musical comedies and worked as screenwriter in Hollywood in the 1930s. In 1939, he bought a villa in Le Touquet on the coast of France. He remained there when World War II started in 1939. The following year, the Germans appropriated the villa, confiscated property, and arrested him. He was detained in various German camps for almost one year before being released in 1941. He went to Berlin and spoke of his experience in five radio talks to be broadcast to America and England. The talks themselves were completely innocuous, but he was charged with treason in England. He was cleared, but settled permanently in the United States. He became a citizen in 1955. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1975. He died from a heart attack after a long illness on February 14, 1975 at the age of 93. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Peruslukemilla, Jeeves
- Original title
- Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves
- Original publication date
- 1963
- People/Characters
- Reginald Jeeves; Bertram Wilberforce Wooster (Bertie); Gussie Fink-Nottle; Madeline Bassett; Dahlia Travers; Roderick Spode
- Important places
- England, UK
- Related movies*
- Jeeves and Wooster (1990 | IMDb)
- Dedication
- To David Jasen
- First words
- I marmaladed a slice of toast with something of a flourish, and I don't suppose I have ever come much closer to saying 'Tra-la-la' as I did the lathering, for I was feeling in mid-season form this morning.
- Quotations
- The lissomeness with which he moved hither and thither was most impressive, as was his homicidal ardor when doing what I believe is called tackling. Like the Canadian Mounted Police, he always got his man, and when he did so ... (show all)the air was vibrant with the excited cries of morticians in the audience making bids for the body. (Chap. 3)
It died on his lips as he saw me, and he stood staring at me aghast. He reminded me of one of those fellows who spend the night in haunted houses and are found next morning dead to the last drop with a look of awful horror on... (show all) their faces. (Chap. 6)
"There is no need to dwell on the Alpine hat, Jeeves."
"No, sir."
"If you really want to know, several fellows at the Drones asked me where I had got it."
"No doubt with a view to avoiding your hatter,... (show all) sir." (Chap.7)
Aberdeen terriers, possible owing to their heavy eyebrows, always seem to look at you as if they were in the pulpit of the church of some particularly strict Scottish sect and you were a parishoner of dubious reputation sitti... (show all)ng in the front row of the stalls. (Chap.8)
"It's always annoying when you're up against it and people tell you what a jolly time you could be having if you weren't and how topping everything would be if you were somewhere where you aren't." (Chap.20) - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)'Not at all, Jeeves.'
- Blurbers
- Buckley, Christopher; Wallace, David Foster; Anderson, Kurt; Waugh, Evelyn
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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