Pigs Have Wings

The seventh book in the Blandings Castle series is a classic example of P.G. Wodehouse’s way with words. It follows a familiar structure: something is afoot at Blandings, two couples are in the midst of romantic entanglements, and everything turns out fine in the end. Lord Emsworth is looking forward to showing his pig, the Empress of Blandings, at the upcoming agricultural show. But this year, she faces stiff competition from Sir Gregory Parsloe’s pig, the Queen of Matchingham. Hijinks ensue as Lord Emsworth’s brother Galahad orchestrates the theft of Parsloe’s pig. Meanwhile Galahad is also pulling strings in the romantic storyline. I gave this book an extra star for humor. These books are always amusing, but this one had me show more reading passages aloud to anyone who would listen. show less

I really wish I could think of something else wonderful to say about P.G. Wodehouse, but I really have no words left for how much I enjoy his work. Up until now I had mostly been reading the 'Jeeves & Wooster' novels, with a few side trips to individual works. The 'Blandings' stories are fewer, but no less entertaining. A jealous competitor works to sabotage Lord Emsworth's chances of winning a regional agricultural competition by causing Emsworth's prize pig to lose weight. Emsworth's quick-witted brother comes to the rescue and sorts out a few local romantic entanglements along the way. The plot is inconsequential, since it loops and twists at such a rate that it often is difficult to keep all the strings together, yet Wodehouse has show more such a light touch that it comes off as effortless. Like almost everything else he wrote, the world of the novel is magical and trouble-free, a bright universe of comic invention that has the timing of screwball and the lyricism of well-practiced vaudeville. A gem.

(This review originally appeared on zombieunderground.net) show less

'Seeing the object of Penny’s affections at close range, he found himself favourably impressed. For an author Jerry Vail was rather nice-looking, most authors, as is widely known, resembling in appearance the more degraded types of fish, unless they look like birds, when they could pass as vultures and no questions asked.'

Excellent. If forced to select a single Wodehouse pig-pilfering Blandings Castle novel, it would be "Summer Lightning." Fortunately, the world is not so cruel, and requires no such choice.

He had received his early education at Harrow, and Old Harrovians, he reminded himself, when they have plighted their troth to Girl A, do not go about folding Girl B in their arms. Old Etonians, yes. Old Rugbeians, possibly. But not Old Harrovians.

In which the Empress of Blandings faces stiff competition in the form of Sir Gregory Parslow's new pig the Queen of Matchingham, there is even more pignapping than usual, and there are three couples with romantic problems. Probably the most enjoyable of the Blandings Castle novels that I have read.

'You don't mean it's fatter than the Empress?' said Gally, cocking an eye at the stable's nominee and marvelling that such a thing could be possible.
Lord Emsworth looked shocked.
'I would not say that. No, no, I certainly would not say that. But the contest will now become a desperately close one. It may be a matter of ounces.'

I would’ve like to have rated this 5 stars, but I felt certain themes were repeated from previous books in the Blandings series, such as stealing and hiding pigs. As amusing as it all is, I’d hoped for more new storylines.

Lord Emsworth once again confirms his position as my favourite of all Wodehouse characters. He didn’t feature as much as I would’ve liked to have seen him in “Pigs Have Wings”, as Galahad dominates most scenes, but whenever the forgetful earl does appear it’s always a delight. Bless my soul, it is.

Overall, another dashed entertaining visit to Blandings Castle.

Rather silly but very entertaining. Wodehouse uses the same formula as other books but this one is funnier, probably because the pigs kept appearing in the wrong places.