Hot Water

Just how many people can be masquerading under false names and trying to break into the safe in one château? The answer would seem to be somewhere in the region of eight - and when you add in a few engagements (mostly secret or fake), blackmail plots, private detectives (also mostly secret or fake), political conspiracies, and drunken lizards, chaos is bound to ensue.

This book is very, very funny. A particularly farcical farce, filled with characters possessing a superabundance of character. The plot is completely, splendidly ridiculous. The language is a treat, and the sheer insanity as the whole thing builds up to an absurdly complicated climax is wonderful. Pure entertainment.

Marvelously convoluted comedy showing a keen insight into community/social interaction and individual motivation.

This novel is set in a French town, in a chateau which is being rented out by the wealthy Mr and Mrs Gedge. A steady stream of visitors arrive, many of them not who they seem to be...

There’s a large cast of main characters in this book. I found it difficult, at times, to keep track of who was whom, particularly when so many were masquerading as someone else. By the time I was about three-quarters of the way through I had to re-read the first couple of chapters, as I’d forgotten some of what had happened.

The story is a complex farce, and I found it quite amusing in places. It's written in classic Wodehouse style with literary allusions, unexpected encounters, and some cleverly-written action.

Recommended if you like PG Wodehouse, show more but although it's considered one of his best works, I personally prefer the Jeeves series. show less

Marvelously convoluted comedy showing a keen insight into community/social interaction and individual motivation.

unusually set in Brittany - former Californian is married to an ambitious woman who wants him to be the next American ambassador to France - chaos ensues

Not my favourite Wodehouse novel but “Hot Water” features enough top comedy to make it a worthwhile read.

Like Wodehouse's book "French Leave", this is a twist on the usual Wodehouse with a plot centred on Americans in France, no doubt to appeal to his growing American public at that time. The format doesn't work that well for me.