The Swoop! or, How Clarence Saved England

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Michael Moorcock describes this as a "funny, futuristic" book, but it is really a parody of the invasion scare sub-genre. Moorcock is, however, correct to describe it as funny, despite the incomprehensible contemporary cultural references and unpleasant racial stereotypes (which as far as I remember are largely absent from later Wodehouse). England is invaded by nine different armies, ranging from the Germans and Russians down to the forces of Monaco and the Mad Mullah of Somaliland (the latter driven to further derangement by a meeting with Irish Nationalist leader John Dillon). The occupied English grumble about the disruption to cricket and the theatre caused by the invaders, but this is show more resolved when the German and Russian commanders agree to appear as music-hall acts.

Clarence Chugwater, the somewhat nerdy Boy Scout who is Wodehouse's comic hero, manages to sow dissension between the German and Russian leaders by way of his day-job at an entertainment weekly. The two armies come close to wiping each other out, the Boy Scouts capture the survivors, and England is saved. Hurrah! (In the unlikely event that anyone feels I have spoiled the ending for them, I would point out that all is revealed in the very first chapter.)

This is not a good starting place for reading Wodehouse's works. (Indeed, it wasn't even a very good starting place foir writing Wodehouse's works.) But it is an interesting intersection of the fringes of the sf genre with his rather different genius when both were at an early stage of development. show less

Fun satire of England's pre-WW1 military readiness which also includes other British habits (such as the desertion of London during the summer).

Although peppered with typical Wodehouse silliness, this is a more serious book than most of his.

Kristen Hughes does a good (but not great) narration in this Librivox recording.

Excellent satire written in 1909 that is still valid today. In this smallish book, England is invaded by no less than 8 nations. Fourteen year old Clarence saves the day!

Although this is clearly one of P.G.'s lesser efforts it still has much to commend it.
Sub-titled 'How Clarence Saved England - A Tale of the Great Invasion',it tells of how England was invaded by no less than nine foreign nations,at the same time ! The country in typical English fashion,is completely unbothered by this.,being more interested in the cricket and golf matches that are in progress at the time.
Enter Clarence Chugwater,a young chap who is head of the Boy Scouts. The Scouts are the only force active in the country at this time. The Army and all other forces having been disbanded.
This is the tale of how the might of the German and Russian forces (plus the rest) were ultimately defeated.
Of course this being by Wodehouse,there show more are lots of laughs along the way.
It is great to see this book,which has for some time been difficult to find,once more readily available to all lovers of P.G.Wodehouse show less

Fun satire of England's pre-WW1 military readiness which also includes other British habits (such as the desertion of London during the summer).

Although peppered with typical Wodehouse silliness, this is a more serious book than most of his.

Kristen Hughes does a good (but not great) narration in this Librivox recording.

The Swoop is a parody of a little remembered genre called "Invasion Literature" which was popular from 1871 to 1914. Members of the genre deal with England being invaded by foreign powers. France was the typical villain early in the history of the genre, with Germany becoming dominant in the early 20th century, Two of the better known examples of the genre are Erskine Childer's "The Riddle of the Sands" and Saki's "When William Came: A Story of London Under the Hohenzollerns." The title of Wodehouse's parody is derived from "The Swoop of the Vulture" a novel by James Blyth. Wodehouse also has one of his characters refer to the Blyth novel. I can't recommend this book for general readers, it just isn't that funny. It is filled with show more topical humor that has lost its luster after a hundred years. If you are a fan of "Invasion Literature" or have a compulsion to read everything by Wodehouse, then go ahead and read "The Swoop," But fair warning, this book is far below the Jeeves and Wooster, and Blanding books. Come to think of it, "The Swoop" isn't as funny as the Wodehouse radio broadcasts from Nazi Internment camps, during WW II, and those broadcasts nearly lead Wodehouse to be tried for treason. show less

On the most part I found this story muddled, messy, and mundane.

The tale starts well but after the opening scenes with Clarence the story goes downhill.

Because of the occasional amusing dialogue I’ve rated this two stars instead of one.

For me “The Swoop” is an example of a great author on one of his off days.