Ukridge

Very funny series of short stories that form a loose novel (typical of Wodehouse). Similar in tone to the Bertie Wooster stories, but a little meaner. Imagine Bertie with a totally selfish outlook and no Jeeves to save him - and the stories narrated by one of his long-suffering school chums. Where Bertie tangles himself up in knots because of his naivete, Ukridge simply foists his manic "get rich quick" schemes on his friends, with similarly outrageous results.

There's an edge to the humor that I'm not as used to in Wodehouse - Ukridge is infuriating! - and perhaps he found it less of an appealing fantasy to write about, but the dry observations of the long-suffering narrator land perfectly even now, a hundred years later. Everyone has show more obnoxious friends and family we can't walk away from, and it's good to be able to laugh at what they put us through. show less

I really enjoyed this book and, as usual, Wodehouse effortlessly describes our human foibles, perfectly.
This edition does not have three stories that I have found on a ebook version: “A Bit of Luck for Mabel”; Buttercup Day; “The Level Business Head”.
I don't understand those who criticise this book for their dislike of Ukridge. Corky's and my lives would have been duller without him. His plans were patently flawed and gave everyone a sporting chance to refuse, whereas I have known many who have cost me considerably more by subterfuge without leaving traces of their dishonesty.

Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge is not one of Wodehouse's better known creations, but he's one of the most disreputable. Ukridge is forever on the lookout to make a quick buck, either from staging accidents to claim on the insurance, starting dog training schools or managing the boxer "Battling" Billson.

Ukridge has his very own Boswell, journalist "Corky" Corcoran who finds himself frequently roped into Ukridge's outlandish schemes as well as lending him money he never sees again.

Although a bit of a change from the world of Jeeves and Blandings, this couldn't be the work of anyone else, particularly given the looming presence of Ukridge's novelist aunt who, like all Wodehouse aunts, is not a woman to be trifled with! Like many show more Wodehouse protagonists, Ukridge is also liable to be swept off his feet at any moment, albeit in a very innocent way.

If you're looking for comfort reads, you really can't go far wrong with Wodehouse's delicious prose, of which this is a fine example. show less

I quite enjoyed "Love Among the Chickens", but Ukridge is less fun than Jeeves and Wooster, so I grew tired after a while. Also, the author who is the narrator in "Love Among the Chickens" does not return, and I miss his narrative voice.

These connected short stories are somewhat patchy. I would’ve appreciated them better if the title character was more appealing – I found Mr Ukridge hard to like.

Still, there are enough laughs to make this a worthwhile read.

A friend like this would be maddening, and it remains puzzling that the narrator never ghosts him (I know, that wasn't done then). What that saves it is that things often go wrong for Mr. Ukridge slightly more often that they go right.

Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge (pronounced Fanshawe You-kridge) is a chancer and con man, a sort of upper class Arthur Daly with an eye for a quick buck. This set of linked short stories is narrated by James "Corky" Corcoran, a loyal friend of Ukridge's who always ropes him in to his hare-brained schemes, and steals his clothes whenever he calls and finds him out.

I've come across Ukridge in Eggs, Beans and Crumpets, he isn't a very appealing Wodehouse character for me, but the stories are full of all the usual Wodehouse genius and invention and I enjoyed reading them.