French Leave

A book from the later run of Wodehouse novels, independent of his running series, but with the same sort of musical-comedy-without-the-music style. Although "farce" might be the appropriate term for this story, which involves multiple romantic entanglements at a resort on the French Channel coast (territory Wodehouse knew well from living there before World War II). Not top-tier Wodehouse; for example, I don't think the Clutterbuck character was well-thought out, but good for some laughs.

Something different for me from Wodehouse; a novel that is neither a Jeeves nor a Blandings novel. French Leave is about a couple of young chicken farmers who come into some money and decide to blow it all on a trip to France in search of rich husbands. They are accompanied by their sternly disapproving older sister. While there, they run into a cad of a Marquis, his romantic son, a fizzy drinks millionaire, a corpulent publisher, and an aunt who is up there with the scariest of Wodehouse aunts.

The book has the usual clever plotting, sharp characterisation, and wry humour, delivered in Wodehouse's trademark style. Very good.

Three 20 ish sisters, who run a chicken farm on Long Island, but are largely impecunious, long for a bit of romance and society. Having come across windfall, they decide to have a European holiday.

But with insufficient funds for all three, they decide to travel under the guise of a rich socialite accompanied by her servants, with each sister taking a month about as the socialite, moving to a new location when changing roles.

They meet a charming, titled but impecunious Marquis, who sets his mind on playing cupid in favor of his would be writer son.

At the end of the first month,one of the sisters decides to return to the US. Those remaining, having swapped roles and cities, commence on their charade again, only to encounter show more misunderstandings, wrong assumptions, and misplaced trust.

Most people end up engaged to a range of different people in rapid succession (in some cases on a serial basis) until all is solved, and everyone who is meant to end up with their fated one.

Very enjoyable.

Big Ship

1December 2022 show less

As the title suggests, this novel is predominantly set in France, though it opens and ends in America.

The characters are a mixture of Americans and French with no definitive hero or heroine. The roles are fairly evened out. Theresa “Terry” Trent could be labelled as the central character. It’s through her and her two sisters coming into a few thousand dollars that prompts them to undertake a two-month break in France, consequently leading to Wodehouse-style adventures.

This respected author has a great talent for complicating matters for the main characters without muddling the reader. We feel sure all will end well yet still take pleasure in seeing how the protagonists fathom out the confusion and cross-purposes that fall in show more their way.

So this is not gripping entertainment, but it’s certainly a worthwhile light-hearted read. show less

An enjoyable romp through French resorts by some Americans, an impoverished French nobleman and his son, and a pompous and greedy Police Commissioner... More smiles than laughs but still very good.

This is the first Wodehouse novel that I have read. He writes very well in a style not particularly English which is a plus to my mind. Despite the fine prose I couldn't get into the story. I didn't care about those people. It almost feels like an episode in a modern tv series.

Enjoyable if slightly convoluted. A twist on the usual Wodehouse, with the book set in France with an impoverished French aristocrat at the centre.