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P.G. Wodehouse Volume 1: The Jeeves Collection
“I have the honour to offer up to you, thanks to the good people of Audible, a selection of some of my very favourite Wodehouse. If these stories are new to you I hope it will be the beginning of a lifelong pleasure, if some or all are familiar I hope you will welcome them like old friends.” (Stephen Fry)
Audible Studios presents this brand new performance by Stephen Fry of some of his favourite Jeeves stories from P.G. Wodehouse, with an exclusive introduction.
The Jeeves Collection contains:
The Inimitable Jeeves
A classic collection of 11 stories featuring some of the funniest episodes in the life of Bertie Wooster, gentleman, and Jeeves, his gentleman's gentleman - in which Bertie's terrifying Aunt Agatha appears, seeking whom she may devour, while Bertie's friend Bingo Little falls in love with seven different girls in succession (including the best-selling romantic novelist Rosie M. Banks). And Bertie, with Jeeves's help, hopes to evade the clutches of the terrifying Honoria Glossop.
Carry On Jeeves
10 more marvellous stories introduce us to Jeeves, whose first ever duty is to cure Bertie's raging hangover ('If you would drink this, sir...it is a little preparation of my own invention. It is the Worcester Sauce that gives it its colour. The raw egg makes it nutritious. The red pepper gives it its bite. Gentlemen have told me they have found it extremely invigorating after a late evening.')
Right-Ho Jeeves
The second full-length novel featuring Jeeves and Bertie Wooster, after Thank You, Jeeves. The story is mostly set at Brinkley Court, the home of Bertie's Aunt Dahlia, and introduces the recurring characters Gussie Fink-Nottle and Madeline Bassett. Bertie's friend Tuppy Glossop and cousin Angela Travers also feature in the novel, as does Brinkley Court's prized chef, Anatole.
The Code of the Woosters
The third full-length novel to feature Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves. It introduces Sir Watkyn Bassett, the owner of a country house called Totleigh Towers, where the story takes place, and his intimidating friend Roderick Spode. It is also a sequel to Right Ho, Jeeves, continuing the story of Bertie's newt-fancying friend Gussie Fink-Nottle and Gussie's droopy and overly sentimental fiancée, Madeline Bassett.
Joy in the Morning
Bertie is persuaded to brave the home of his fearsome Aunt Agatha and her husband Lord Worplesdon, knowing that his former fiancée, the beautiful and formidably intellectual Lady Florence Craye will also be in attendance.
Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter, film director and all-round national treasure. Whilst at university, Fry became involved with the Cambridge Footlights, where he met his long-time collaborator and friend Hugh Laurie. As half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie, he co-wrote and co-starred in A Bit of Fry & Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. Fry’s acting roles include Blackadder, Kingdom, Bones, V for Vendetta, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Hobbit trilogy. He has written and presented several documentary series and as a proudly out gay man, the award-winning Out There, documenting the lives of lesbian, bisexual gay and transgender people around the world is part of his 30-year advocacy of the rights of the LGBT community. Fry has written four novels: The Liar, The Hippopotamus (made in to a feature film in 2018), Making History and The Stars’ Tennis Balls. Translated into many languages, they have never been out of print. The most recently published works are Mythos, Heroes and Troy, a trilogy retelling the Greeks myths from the Creation to the aftermath of the Trojan War.
©2014 P.G. Wodehouse (P)2020 Audible, Ltd
Audible Studios presents this brand new performance by Stephen Fry of some of his favourite Jeeves stories from P.G. Wodehouse, with an exclusive introduction.
The Jeeves Collection contains:
The Inimitable Jeeves
A classic collection of 11 stories featuring some of the funniest episodes in the life of Bertie Wooster, gentleman, and Jeeves, his gentleman's gentleman - in which Bertie's terrifying Aunt Agatha appears, seeking whom she may devour, while Bertie's friend Bingo Little falls in love with seven different girls in succession (including the best-selling romantic novelist Rosie M. Banks). And Bertie, with Jeeves's help, hopes to evade the clutches of the terrifying Honoria Glossop.
Carry On Jeeves
10 more marvellous stories introduce us to Jeeves, whose first ever duty is to cure Bertie's raging hangover ('If you would drink this, sir...it is a little preparation of my own invention. It is the Worcester Sauce that gives it its colour. The raw egg makes it nutritious. The red pepper gives it its bite. Gentlemen have told me they have found it extremely invigorating after a late evening.')
Right-Ho Jeeves
The second full-length novel featuring Jeeves and Bertie Wooster, after Thank You, Jeeves. The story is mostly set at Brinkley Court, the home of Bertie's Aunt Dahlia, and introduces the recurring characters Gussie Fink-Nottle and Madeline Bassett. Bertie's friend Tuppy Glossop and cousin Angela Travers also feature in the novel, as does Brinkley Court's prized chef, Anatole.
The Code of the Woosters
The third full-length novel to feature Bertie Wooster and his valet Jeeves. It introduces Sir Watkyn Bassett, the owner of a country house called Totleigh Towers, where the story takes place, and his intimidating friend Roderick Spode. It is also a sequel to Right Ho, Jeeves, continuing the story of Bertie's newt-fancying friend Gussie Fink-Nottle and Gussie's droopy and overly sentimental fiancée, Madeline Bassett.
Joy in the Morning
Bertie is persuaded to brave the home of his fearsome Aunt Agatha and her husband Lord Worplesdon, knowing that his former fiancée, the beautiful and formidably intellectual Lady Florence Craye will also be in attendance.
Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter, film director and all-round national treasure. Whilst at university, Fry became involved with the Cambridge Footlights, where he met his long-time collaborator and friend Hugh Laurie. As half of the comic double act Fry and Laurie, he co-wrote and co-starred in A Bit of Fry & Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. Fry’s acting roles include Blackadder, Kingdom, Bones, V for Vendetta, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and The Hobbit trilogy. He has written and presented several documentary series and as a proudly out gay man, the award-winning Out There, documenting the lives of lesbian, bisexual gay and transgender people around the world is part of his 30-year advocacy of the rights of the LGBT community. Fry has written four novels: The Liar, The Hippopotamus (made in to a feature film in 2018), Making History and The Stars’ Tennis Balls. Translated into many languages, they have never been out of print. The most recently published works are Mythos, Heroes and Troy, a trilogy retelling the Greeks myths from the Creation to the aftermath of the Trojan War.
©2014 P.G. Wodehouse (P)2020 Audible, Ltd
41 pages, Audible Audio
First published December 17, 2020
88 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
P.G. Wodehouse
1,512 books6,775 followersSir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE, was a comic writer who enjoyed enormous popular success during a career of more than seventy years and continues to be widely read over 40 years after his death. Despite the political and social upheavals that occurred during his life, much of which was spent in France and the United States, Wodehouse's main canvas remained that of prewar English upper-class society, reflecting his birth, education, and youthful writing career.
An acknowledged master of English prose, Wodehouse has been admired both by contemporaries such as Hilaire Belloc, Evelyn Waugh and Rudyard Kipling and by more recent writers such as Douglas Adams, Salman Rushdie and Terry Pratchett. Sean O'Casey famously called him "English literature's performing flea", a description that Wodehouse used as the title of a collection of his letters to a friend, Bill Townend.
Best known today for the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels and short stories, Wodehouse was also a talented playwright and lyricist who was part author and writer of fifteen plays and of 250 lyrics for some thirty musical comedies. He worked with Cole Porter on the musical Anything Goes (1934) and frequently collaborated with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton. He wrote the lyrics for the hit song Bill in Kern's Show Boat (1927), wrote the lyrics for the Gershwin/Romberg musical Rosalie (1928), and collaborated with Rudolf Friml on a musical version of The Three Musketeers (1928).
An acknowledged master of English prose, Wodehouse has been admired both by contemporaries such as Hilaire Belloc, Evelyn Waugh and Rudyard Kipling and by more recent writers such as Douglas Adams, Salman Rushdie and Terry Pratchett. Sean O'Casey famously called him "English literature's performing flea", a description that Wodehouse used as the title of a collection of his letters to a friend, Bill Townend.
Best known today for the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels and short stories, Wodehouse was also a talented playwright and lyricist who was part author and writer of fifteen plays and of 250 lyrics for some thirty musical comedies. He worked with Cole Porter on the musical Anything Goes (1934) and frequently collaborated with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton. He wrote the lyrics for the hit song Bill in Kern's Show Boat (1927), wrote the lyrics for the Gershwin/Romberg musical Rosalie (1928), and collaborated with Rudolf Friml on a musical version of The Three Musketeers (1928).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
January 16, 2022
My prayers have been answered! Stephen Fry FINALLY narrates Jeeves and Wooster books! And look: Volume one! THERE WILL BE MORE! 40 wonderful hours with Stephen Fry and Jeeves, Bertie, and other delightful characters <3
The Inimitable Jeeves (Jeeves #2): 5 stars
Carry on, Jeeves (Jeeves #3): 4 stars
Right-Ho, Jeeves (Jeeves #6): 5 stars
The Code of the Woosters (Jeeves #7): 4 stars
Joy in the morning (Jeeves #8): 4 stars
The Inimitable Jeeves (Jeeves #2): 5 stars
Carry on, Jeeves (Jeeves #3): 4 stars
Right-Ho, Jeeves (Jeeves #6): 5 stars
The Code of the Woosters (Jeeves #7): 4 stars
Joy in the morning (Jeeves #8): 4 stars
August 20, 2021
Volume 1 of what will probably end up being many volumes of stories featuring the upper-class man-about-town, Bertie Wooster, and his inimitable and rather clever manservant Jeeves. I chose the audio version read by Stephen Fry, a good choice. Fry made a point of mentioning in the introduction how, at the age of ten, he had first read the Jeeves’ stories and was gripped by uncontrollable giggling, and I remember reading them at a similar age and finding the stories had a similar effect on me. This time round, well passed puberty, I found this series of stories disguised as a novel to be mildly amusing but a little too repetitive in theme to keep my interest going passed two or three stories at a time. Given that there are forty hours of the stories, I doubt I will ever make it to the end. Worth listening to some of it if you have never read Wodehouse before.
February 10, 2022
If you're a Wodehouse fan, you can't afford to be without this.
Sublime.
Very much the money's-worth too ... lasted an age!
Sublime.
Very much the money's-worth too ... lasted an age!
May 29, 2023
I recommend breaking up your listening to these, as the kinds of things the author finds funny are recycled into every book. Fry does an excellent job with this kind of humour though, making it never a chore to listen to. The grouping of the books is also well handled, with a kind of through-line emerging, despite skipping multiple books. It could stand to drop a book though, still. I imagine fans of the series will love this completely. As someone new to it and not all that into humour, I found it pleasant but by no means anything more than just fun. Nothing wrong with that.
August 30, 2022
Three months at the gym for these forty hours of absolute delight.
October 6, 2023
Uvek je uživanje čitati Vudhausove priče. Iako se možda formula ponavlja, za mene čisto zaplet i kompozicija nisu ono što izdvaja Vudhausovo pisanje - to su živopisni likovi i pre svega jezik.
Njegov jezik je bogat slengom (uglavnom 20ih) i to iz različitih sfera života, i njihovo poređenje stilova daje posebnu živost i ritmičnost pisanju, a igre rečima i izvrsno naglašen sarkazam su čiste "miraculous verbal felicities", da citiram Stivena Fraja.
"If you are immune to such writing, you are fit, to use one of Wodehouse's favourite Shakespearean quotations, only for treasons, stratagems and spoils. You don't analyse such sunlit perfection, you just bask in its warmth and splendour. Like Jeeves, Wodehouse stands alone, and analysis is useless." - S. Fry
Njegov jezik je bogat slengom (uglavnom 20ih) i to iz različitih sfera života, i njihovo poređenje stilova daje posebnu živost i ritmičnost pisanju, a igre rečima i izvrsno naglašen sarkazam su čiste "miraculous verbal felicities", da citiram Stivena Fraja.
"If you are immune to such writing, you are fit, to use one of Wodehouse's favourite Shakespearean quotations, only for treasons, stratagems and spoils. You don't analyse such sunlit perfection, you just bask in its warmth and splendour. Like Jeeves, Wodehouse stands alone, and analysis is useless." - S. Fry
September 19, 2021
The Inimitable Jeeves
Serie di racconti travestita da romanzo dove, tra i soliti giochi di incomprensioni e sfortune varie, filo conduttore sembrano essere i vari colpi di fulmine di Bingo Little, amico di vecchia data di Bertie Wooster e destinato ad innamorarsi di tutte le ragazze che incontra (sette nel corso della storia).
L'andamento dei vari capitoli è il solito. Qualche amico / parente / semplice conoscente mette Bertie nei guai (non che il giovane Wooster non ci riesca da solo) o lo coinvolge nei propri. La situazione precipita per un po', quanto basta per essere risolta brillantemente da Jeeves.
L'impressione è che siano tutti sotto tono, ma è il secondo della serie (tra Antologie, romanzi e brani vari mi affido alla cronologia di Goodreads) e ci può stare.
Di certo il formato più episodico alleggerisce il tutto e, pur essendo tutto un più ripetitivo, la lettura ne guadagna.
Carry On Jeeves
Avanti, Jeeves è il terzo libro della serie, letto come quinto nel gruppo di lettura che sto seguendo.
Ci troviamo davanti ad una serie di racconti che ripropongono, spesso con le stesse dinamiche, avventure e disavventure del giovane Wooster, con il solito Jeeves a salvare la situazione.
Alcune storie sono citate nel libri seguenti mentre, in più di una occasione, le brillanti trovate di Bertie e i salvataggi di Jeeves sono estremamente simili ad altre già lette.
Le battute sono sempre divertenti, le situazioni in cui vengono a trovarsi Bertie e i suoi stralunati amici strappano sempre un sorriso, ma sia il problema che la soluzione sono prevedibili dalle prime battute.
Vedremo quale sarà il prossimo in lista, se la sensazione di ripetizione non si risolverà forse saluterò il buon Bertie per un po'.
Right-Ho Jeeves
Secondo romanzo completo per il giovane Wooster e l'irreprensibile Jeeves.
Perfetto, Jeeves! è la solita carrellata di incomprensioni, scambi di persona e risoluzioni fantasiose (quelle di Bertie) e efficaci (quelle di Jeeves).
Con l'aumento del numero di personaggi, rispetto a Grazie, Jeeves, le occasioni di Bertie di incasinare e rovinare le vite dei suoi amici sono moltiplicate.
Dagli amici Tuppy Glossop e Gussie Fink-Nottle, amante delle salamandre, alle fidanzate o future tali Angela Travers e Madeline Bassett, fino alla temibile zia Dahlia e a suo marito, senza escludere il suscettibile cuoco francese Anatole... Bertie si ritrova nel ruolo di riparatore di relazioni sentimentali.
Fortunatamente la presenza di Jeeves riuscirà a risolvere i danni provocati dal giovane, regalando al lettore dialoghi al solito divertenti e carichi del tipico humor britannico.
The Code of the Woosters
Il codice dei Wooster segue a ruota Perfetto, Jeeves!.
Ritroviamo Bertie, e Jeeves, in missione per zia Dahlia. Devo recuperare una lattiera a forma di mucca, soffiata al marito dal suo più acerrimo avversario, Sir Bassett.
Il caso vuole che Sir Bassett sia il padre di Madeline Bassett, la delicata fanciulla che Bertie (Jeeves) era riuscito a sistemare con l'amico Gussie Fink-Nottle nello scorso libro.
Non è un caso che la presenza di Bertie a casa Bassett venga giustificata da questo fatto, così come non stupisce che il fidanzamento sia a rischio, per colpa della passione di Gussie per i tritoni.
Aggiungiamoci una giovane cugina di Madeline, innamorata del curato locale e con lo strano desiderio di vederlo rubare l'elmetto del poliziotto locale.
Complicato? No, solo una situazione che Bertie riuscirà a ingarbugliata ancora di più e che verrà risolta dal solito acume di Jeeves.
Pur con situazioni che si ripetono da un romanzo all'altro, la lettura risulta ancora divertente e spedita.
Joy in the Morning
Per concludere P.G. Wodehouse Volume 1: The Jeeves Collection, la collezione di audiolibri con i primi volumi della serie con Wooster e Jeeves, ho momentaneamente abbandonato il gruppo di lettura dedicato a Jeeves e, di conseguenza, messo in pausa la lettura della saga per un po'.
Un mattino di gioia ritrova personaggi già conosciuti e ripropone situazioni che, ormai è evidente, si ripetono quasi immutate da libro in libro.
Bertie, i suoi parenti e gli amici sono come sempre travolti da una girandola di incomprensioni, errori di persona, situazioni al limite dell'assurdo... come sempre risolte in maniera impeccabile da Jeeves.
La lettura non è del tutto noiosa, grazie all'interpretazione di Stephen Fry, che gli fa guadagnare la quarta stella, ma è venuto decisamente il momento di mettere la coppia a riposo. Ne riparleremo più avanti, quando mi sarò un po' scordata le dinamiche.
Serie di racconti travestita da romanzo dove, tra i soliti giochi di incomprensioni e sfortune varie, filo conduttore sembrano essere i vari colpi di fulmine di Bingo Little, amico di vecchia data di Bertie Wooster e destinato ad innamorarsi di tutte le ragazze che incontra (sette nel corso della storia).
L'andamento dei vari capitoli è il solito. Qualche amico / parente / semplice conoscente mette Bertie nei guai (non che il giovane Wooster non ci riesca da solo) o lo coinvolge nei propri. La situazione precipita per un po', quanto basta per essere risolta brillantemente da Jeeves.
L'impressione è che siano tutti sotto tono, ma è il secondo della serie (tra Antologie, romanzi e brani vari mi affido alla cronologia di Goodreads) e ci può stare.
Di certo il formato più episodico alleggerisce il tutto e, pur essendo tutto un più ripetitivo, la lettura ne guadagna.
Carry On Jeeves
Avanti, Jeeves è il terzo libro della serie, letto come quinto nel gruppo di lettura che sto seguendo.
Ci troviamo davanti ad una serie di racconti che ripropongono, spesso con le stesse dinamiche, avventure e disavventure del giovane Wooster, con il solito Jeeves a salvare la situazione.
Alcune storie sono citate nel libri seguenti mentre, in più di una occasione, le brillanti trovate di Bertie e i salvataggi di Jeeves sono estremamente simili ad altre già lette.
Le battute sono sempre divertenti, le situazioni in cui vengono a trovarsi Bertie e i suoi stralunati amici strappano sempre un sorriso, ma sia il problema che la soluzione sono prevedibili dalle prime battute.
Vedremo quale sarà il prossimo in lista, se la sensazione di ripetizione non si risolverà forse saluterò il buon Bertie per un po'.
Right-Ho Jeeves
Secondo romanzo completo per il giovane Wooster e l'irreprensibile Jeeves.
Perfetto, Jeeves! è la solita carrellata di incomprensioni, scambi di persona e risoluzioni fantasiose (quelle di Bertie) e efficaci (quelle di Jeeves).
Con l'aumento del numero di personaggi, rispetto a Grazie, Jeeves, le occasioni di Bertie di incasinare e rovinare le vite dei suoi amici sono moltiplicate.
Dagli amici Tuppy Glossop e Gussie Fink-Nottle, amante delle salamandre, alle fidanzate o future tali Angela Travers e Madeline Bassett, fino alla temibile zia Dahlia e a suo marito, senza escludere il suscettibile cuoco francese Anatole... Bertie si ritrova nel ruolo di riparatore di relazioni sentimentali.
Fortunatamente la presenza di Jeeves riuscirà a risolvere i danni provocati dal giovane, regalando al lettore dialoghi al solito divertenti e carichi del tipico humor britannico.
The Code of the Woosters
Il codice dei Wooster segue a ruota Perfetto, Jeeves!.
Ritroviamo Bertie, e Jeeves, in missione per zia Dahlia. Devo recuperare una lattiera a forma di mucca, soffiata al marito dal suo più acerrimo avversario, Sir Bassett.
Il caso vuole che Sir Bassett sia il padre di Madeline Bassett, la delicata fanciulla che Bertie (Jeeves) era riuscito a sistemare con l'amico Gussie Fink-Nottle nello scorso libro.
Non è un caso che la presenza di Bertie a casa Bassett venga giustificata da questo fatto, così come non stupisce che il fidanzamento sia a rischio, per colpa della passione di Gussie per i tritoni.
Aggiungiamoci una giovane cugina di Madeline, innamorata del curato locale e con lo strano desiderio di vederlo rubare l'elmetto del poliziotto locale.
Complicato? No, solo una situazione che Bertie riuscirà a ingarbugliata ancora di più e che verrà risolta dal solito acume di Jeeves.
Pur con situazioni che si ripetono da un romanzo all'altro, la lettura risulta ancora divertente e spedita.
Joy in the Morning
Per concludere P.G. Wodehouse Volume 1: The Jeeves Collection, la collezione di audiolibri con i primi volumi della serie con Wooster e Jeeves, ho momentaneamente abbandonato il gruppo di lettura dedicato a Jeeves e, di conseguenza, messo in pausa la lettura della saga per un po'.
Un mattino di gioia ritrova personaggi già conosciuti e ripropone situazioni che, ormai è evidente, si ripetono quasi immutate da libro in libro.
Bertie, i suoi parenti e gli amici sono come sempre travolti da una girandola di incomprensioni, errori di persona, situazioni al limite dell'assurdo... come sempre risolte in maniera impeccabile da Jeeves.
La lettura non è del tutto noiosa, grazie all'interpretazione di Stephen Fry, che gli fa guadagnare la quarta stella, ma è venuto decisamente il momento di mettere la coppia a riposo. Ne riparleremo più avanti, quando mi sarò un po' scordata le dinamiche.
May 30, 2022
Taken a year to complete this superb audio collection. It’s been excellent entertainment on longer journeys. Stephen Fry’s narration is perfect. Every story is witty and fun. Doesn’t matter that the plots are similar and never very plausible!
May 7, 2023
It's the same story, over and over again. But it's a good story, and Stephen Fry is a great narrator, so why would I complain?!
September 5, 2022
Very enjoyable. Listening to them all in a row like this does emphasise Wodehouse's patterns for better or worse. Fry is good but still a bit too himself, I find. For me, Jonathan Cecil is still the best Wodehouse narrator
April 21, 2022
I loved it. I enjoyed the language, the idiocy of the British upper class, the smugness of Jeeves (internal, I'm sure) and the cleverness of the stories. I wish I could get a hold of the Hugh Laurie/Stephen Fry TV series "Jeeves and Wooster" but it's not currently available for streaming. Maybe someday.
January 6, 2023
Short stories were good, I preferred those to the novels. Definitely of their time, these stories are nevertheless light and engaging.
September 29, 2024
Delightfully melts on the mouth and leaves a marvellous aftertaste. The language and delicate wit is to be savoured.
June 28, 2024
Intensely funny, and with excellent usage of the English language. Love it.
February 25, 2023
One of the best narration out there. Hats off to Stephen Fry whose narration matched the master Wodehouse's writing. This audio book collection contains multiple books of the Jeeves series - Inimitable Jeeves, Carry on Jeeves, Right ho Jeeves, The code of the Woosters, Joy in the morning.
February 15, 2022
$0 Stunden Hörzeit und, ich meine: 5 verschiedene Wodehouse Bücher....
Hier bekommt man was für sein Geld.
Habe zudem herausgefunden das es eine BBC Verfilmung von dem Stoff gibt mit Fry als Jeeves.
Nice.
Hier bekommt man was für sein Geld.
Habe zudem herausgefunden das es eine BBC Verfilmung von dem Stoff gibt mit Fry als Jeeves.
Nice.
September 5, 2023
I am a late-comer to the work of P.G. Wodehouse as I only read my first one a couple of years ago, but it was literary love at first sight! So far, I have only ventured into the Jeeves and Wooster stories, but what better way to enjoy them than through the excellent narration of the incomparable Stephen Fry?
The Jeeves Collection (P. G.Wodehouse Volume One) has been a delight to listen to from beginning to end, covering five of Stephen Fry's own favourite Jeeves and Wooster stories about the loveable, but hapless, Bertie Wooster and his extremely capable valet Jeeves. The collection includes five books - The Inimitable Jeeves, Carry On Jeeves, Right-Ho Jeeves, The Code of the Woosters, and Joy in the Morning.
I have been saving the last story, Joy in the Morning, as a little treat, and it has been a fabulous way to round off the collection. They all pretty much follow the same formula, with Bertie getting into scrapes, generally as the result of trying to 'help out' friends and family with a variety of dilemmas, and having to be rescued by Jeeves. They evoke everything I love about that golden age when wealthy, bright young things spent their time enjoying high-jinks up town and on country estates.
In this particular episode, Bertie has been recruited on behalf of his step-uncle Lord Worplesdon (husband of Bertie's dreaded Aunt Agatha) to aid him in arranging a clandestine meeting with American businessman Chichester Clam, but he gets distracted by trying to get his pal, author 'Boko' Fittleworth, into Lord Worplesdon's good books so Boko can marry his ward 'Nobby' Hopwood. Throw in some awkward scenes with Bertie's former fiancée Florence, her new suitor local copper 'Stilton' Cheesewright, and Florence's troublesome little brother Edwin, and you have all the ingredients for mishaps and mayhem.
You can normally tell right from the beginning where Bertie is going to come a cropper, but this somehow makes things all the more enjoyable, especially as you know Jeeves will come up with a plan to put everything right in the end - including extricating Bertie from an accidental engagement, which seems to happen all too often.
The stories are narrated by Bertie himself, full of lingo suitable for a fine fellow of his age and class, which absolutely zings. Wodehouse's prose just glides, perfectly enunciated by Stephen Fry, and the humour drips from the increasingly absurd predicaments that unfold and Bertie's lack of self-awareness in making matters worse as he tries to do good.
I highly recommend any of these books if you love delicious use of language, laugh out loud capers, and a good rummage in the tweed-clad, what hoi-ng, jolly old past.
The Jeeves Collection (P. G.Wodehouse Volume One) has been a delight to listen to from beginning to end, covering five of Stephen Fry's own favourite Jeeves and Wooster stories about the loveable, but hapless, Bertie Wooster and his extremely capable valet Jeeves. The collection includes five books - The Inimitable Jeeves, Carry On Jeeves, Right-Ho Jeeves, The Code of the Woosters, and Joy in the Morning.
I have been saving the last story, Joy in the Morning, as a little treat, and it has been a fabulous way to round off the collection. They all pretty much follow the same formula, with Bertie getting into scrapes, generally as the result of trying to 'help out' friends and family with a variety of dilemmas, and having to be rescued by Jeeves. They evoke everything I love about that golden age when wealthy, bright young things spent their time enjoying high-jinks up town and on country estates.
In this particular episode, Bertie has been recruited on behalf of his step-uncle Lord Worplesdon (husband of Bertie's dreaded Aunt Agatha) to aid him in arranging a clandestine meeting with American businessman Chichester Clam, but he gets distracted by trying to get his pal, author 'Boko' Fittleworth, into Lord Worplesdon's good books so Boko can marry his ward 'Nobby' Hopwood. Throw in some awkward scenes with Bertie's former fiancée Florence, her new suitor local copper 'Stilton' Cheesewright, and Florence's troublesome little brother Edwin, and you have all the ingredients for mishaps and mayhem.
You can normally tell right from the beginning where Bertie is going to come a cropper, but this somehow makes things all the more enjoyable, especially as you know Jeeves will come up with a plan to put everything right in the end - including extricating Bertie from an accidental engagement, which seems to happen all too often.
The stories are narrated by Bertie himself, full of lingo suitable for a fine fellow of his age and class, which absolutely zings. Wodehouse's prose just glides, perfectly enunciated by Stephen Fry, and the humour drips from the increasingly absurd predicaments that unfold and Bertie's lack of self-awareness in making matters worse as he tries to do good.
I highly recommend any of these books if you love delicious use of language, laugh out loud capers, and a good rummage in the tweed-clad, what hoi-ng, jolly old past.
December 23, 2023
It goes without saying that P.G. Wodehouse is the finest comic author, ever. So, to couple him with Stephen Fry seems only natural and to have Fry revisit his sojourn with Jeeves and Wooster makes for a delightful experience. This compendium contains: The inimitable Jeeves, Carry on Jeeves, Right-Ho Jeeves, The Code of the Woosters, and Joy in the Morning. I have read all of these stories before and watched them played out on television. However, this did not disrupt my enjoyment at all. I got just as uncomfortable with the situations Bertie winds up in as ever and just as amazed as the way Jeeves extracts his young master. Fry does not try to imitate Hugh Laurie as Bertie, but his Jeeves is as rich and mellifluous as only Jeeves can be.
The inimitable Jeeves features 11 stories including my favorite Aunt Agatha story where this terrifying gargoyle finally receives her comeuppance. Bingo Little also figures prominently as he falls in and out of love with a terrifying number of girls in successive tales.
Carry On Jeeves is also a compilation of 10 stories including the fateful first meeting of employer and valet. (I must say, that scene in the T.V. series is on of the best bits of comic acting on the part of Hugh Laurie I have ever seen).
Right-Ho Jeeves is a novel set at Brinkley Court with Bertie's favorite aunt, Agatha. Bertie is desperate to help his friend Gussie-Fink-Nottle succeed in romance with Madeline Basset and involves a prize giving scene set at a boys school that is a classic.
The Code of the Woosters sets Bertie up in a convoluted plot centered around retrieving a silver cow creamer from his uncle's nemesis, Sir Watkyn Basset. This introduces the terrifying Roderick Spode who, in addition to categorizing Bertram as a common thief, is out to dismember Gussie-Fink-Nottle for trifling with the affections of Watkins daughter, Madeline.
Finally, in Joy in the Morning, Bertie is compelled to be in the attendance of his Aunt Agatha who is intent on seeing him betrothed to the dominating Lady Florence Cray. (As Jeeves would say, "An unsuitable match sir.") However, Bertie's code prevents him from rejecting the offer straight out and requires Jeeves inestimable intellectual gifts to save the day.
This is all ripe stuff that will have you despairing for Bertie, but, inevitably, sighing with with relief when Jeeves saves the day. Lots of laughs will fill the time well spent in listening to this enjoyable collection.
The inimitable Jeeves features 11 stories including my favorite Aunt Agatha story where this terrifying gargoyle finally receives her comeuppance. Bingo Little also figures prominently as he falls in and out of love with a terrifying number of girls in successive tales.
Carry On Jeeves is also a compilation of 10 stories including the fateful first meeting of employer and valet. (I must say, that scene in the T.V. series is on of the best bits of comic acting on the part of Hugh Laurie I have ever seen).
Right-Ho Jeeves is a novel set at Brinkley Court with Bertie's favorite aunt, Agatha. Bertie is desperate to help his friend Gussie-Fink-Nottle succeed in romance with Madeline Basset and involves a prize giving scene set at a boys school that is a classic.
The Code of the Woosters sets Bertie up in a convoluted plot centered around retrieving a silver cow creamer from his uncle's nemesis, Sir Watkyn Basset. This introduces the terrifying Roderick Spode who, in addition to categorizing Bertram as a common thief, is out to dismember Gussie-Fink-Nottle for trifling with the affections of Watkins daughter, Madeline.
Finally, in Joy in the Morning, Bertie is compelled to be in the attendance of his Aunt Agatha who is intent on seeing him betrothed to the dominating Lady Florence Cray. (As Jeeves would say, "An unsuitable match sir.") However, Bertie's code prevents him from rejecting the offer straight out and requires Jeeves inestimable intellectual gifts to save the day.
This is all ripe stuff that will have you despairing for Bertie, but, inevitably, sighing with with relief when Jeeves saves the day. Lots of laughs will fill the time well spent in listening to this enjoyable collection.
March 31, 2025
“And yet, Jeeves,” I said, twiddling a thoughtful steering wheel, “there is always the bright side."
This entire collection is one big laugh-fest, and Stephen Fry is such a wonderful narrator as usual. I don't know how he managed to narrate the whole thing without going into laughing fits. Each chapter is jam-packed with humour. Something about the way the words line up that I can't put my finger on makes me burst with laughter. 'Right Ho, Jeeves' is easily the funniest story I've ever read and it's not particularly head and shoulders above the rest of the stories in here. Jeeves and his feudal spirit can never disappoint, I think.
He has a way of suddenly materializing at one’s side like one of those Indian blokes who shoot their astral bodies to and fro, going into thin air in Rangoon and re-assembling the parts in Calcutta.
Can such a lad ever disappoint?
Honestly, we need a spin-off of Batman with Jeeves instead of Alfred. As the most celebrated son of the line of the great Woosters commented - "Napoleon could've taken his correspondence course." Can't think of a more formidable team-up.
September 5, 2021
Not going to lie. This was a bit of a slog. Stephen Fry was a marvellous narrator and clearly loves Wodehouse. However, a little Wooster goes a long way. The word play is great, but there's also a lot of excess for comic effect. If you've read one story, you've pretty much read them all. One of Bertie's friends has got himself into girl trouble - occasionally it's Bertie himself. Bertie has more money than God, but it's his loyal manservant Jeeves who is the brains of the operation and must come up with the scheme to get things straightened out. I did, however, really appreciate Fry's choices in this collection of Wodehouse novels. He clearly took care to include the various stories that referenced each other so that when Wooster said something about that time when he had to speak at a girls' school - you'd read it, knew what he meant, and felt like an 'insider.' I would recommend not listening to this entire collection continuously - as I did. I think it would be much more enjoyable broken up a bit.
July 22, 2021
I started listening to this months ago then stopped in the middle of the first story. It seemed as if it was going to be very painful because I could see what was going to happen to Bertie and his passivity would annoy me.
Then a few weeks ago I went back to of because I used up an Audible credit to get it and it's a nice long audio book and I thought I'd give it another chance. Am very glad I did!
It's a lot like a kid's movie. The protagonist gets in soup, but everything works out in the end. In this case, Bertie always gets in a scrape that Jeeves managed to extricate him from. Bertie then rewards Jeeves by relinquishing the bad fashion item or doing whatever he wanted at the end. I thought it was hilarious and really "taking the p", as Bertie would say, out of the old upper class.
Then of course you have the genius of Stephen Fry reading and making it so much better. Now I really want to watch the series again.
Then a few weeks ago I went back to of because I used up an Audible credit to get it and it's a nice long audio book and I thought I'd give it another chance. Am very glad I did!
It's a lot like a kid's movie. The protagonist gets in soup, but everything works out in the end. In this case, Bertie always gets in a scrape that Jeeves managed to extricate him from. Bertie then rewards Jeeves by relinquishing the bad fashion item or doing whatever he wanted at the end. I thought it was hilarious and really "taking the p", as Bertie would say, out of the old upper class.
Then of course you have the genius of Stephen Fry reading and making it so much better. Now I really want to watch the series again.
April 3, 2024
What Ho Jeeves!
Silly, amazing use of language and predictably entertaining. Listening to this gave me such enjoyment and fun while expanding my vocabulary to make me sound like a butler myself according to my family. Like submerging yourself in a warm bath, Stephen Fry proceeding around the country estates of England, townhouses of London and casinos of America with Bertie Worcester and Jeeves cannot help but to soothe and calm you in any time of strife. Predictable storylines based on English notions of love and family give a sense of continuity in such a time of upheaval. I particularly enjoyed Stephen Fry's introduction that puts the collection in the context it was published at the time.
A classic.
Silly, amazing use of language and predictably entertaining. Listening to this gave me such enjoyment and fun while expanding my vocabulary to make me sound like a butler myself according to my family. Like submerging yourself in a warm bath, Stephen Fry proceeding around the country estates of England, townhouses of London and casinos of America with Bertie Worcester and Jeeves cannot help but to soothe and calm you in any time of strife. Predictable storylines based on English notions of love and family give a sense of continuity in such a time of upheaval. I particularly enjoyed Stephen Fry's introduction that puts the collection in the context it was published at the time.
A classic.
August 21, 2021
This is such a great book and aptly narrated by Stephen Fry. He is a big Wodehouse fan and it shows in his reading. Super talented and he elevates the entire experience.
The stories picked are in order of sequence and gets better with every chapter.
I am a bit embarrassed to admit that this was my introduction to PG Wodehouse so late in life but I am glad I did.
If you haven't heard this audiobook as yet, I am super envious of you as you are in for a treat. Worth the price of admission for Audible.
Go for it!
The stories picked are in order of sequence and gets better with every chapter.
I am a bit embarrassed to admit that this was my introduction to PG Wodehouse so late in life but I am glad I did.
If you haven't heard this audiobook as yet, I am super envious of you as you are in for a treat. Worth the price of admission for Audible.
Go for it!
May 9, 2022
Utterly wonderful! Fry's narration is amazing, especially given that he portrayed Jeeves on TV (I was sort of hoping Hugh Laurie, AKA Bertie Wooster, would narrate the next volume, which alas did not happen, so if anyone here can slip Bezos a $20 to get it done for vol. 3, I'll pay you back!). The stories are mostly very funny though some have aged a tad, especially in terms of sexism. But mostly - it's the language! I have no idea whether Mr. Woodhouse is quoting the slang of his era, or inventing an entirely new lingo, but it is charming, baffling and curious all at the same time.
April 5, 2023
Audiobook: 5 stars
Stories: 3 stars overall
Stephen Fry's narration was excellent. However, listening to 40 hours back to back highlights that these stories have the same plot: one of Bertie's chums has girl trouble, which leads to farcical mishaps, a furious relative or two, and Jeeves saving the day.
My favourite was Right Ho, Jeeves because I loved Aunt Dahlia and her telegrams. My least favourite was Carry on Jeeves because the New York setting wasn't as interesting.
Stories: 3 stars overall
Stephen Fry's narration was excellent. However, listening to 40 hours back to back highlights that these stories have the same plot: one of Bertie's chums has girl trouble, which leads to farcical mishaps, a furious relative or two, and Jeeves saving the day.
My favourite was Right Ho, Jeeves because I loved Aunt Dahlia and her telegrams. My least favourite was Carry on Jeeves because the New York setting wasn't as interesting.
April 18, 2023
I am only 4 chapters in but I am just so sure I am going to love this more and more as we go on that I am rating it right away.
Is it His British accent? Or the fact that he has played Jeeves in the series alongwith very charming Hugh Laurie? Or that his foreword to the book is full of alliteration in exact PG Wodehouse manner? Or the simple fact that when he narrates he narrates like a true fan of Wodehouse!
Absolutely loving it !
Is it His British accent? Or the fact that he has played Jeeves in the series alongwith very charming Hugh Laurie? Or that his foreword to the book is full of alliteration in exact PG Wodehouse manner? Or the simple fact that when he narrates he narrates like a true fan of Wodehouse!
Absolutely loving it !
September 19, 2021
I enjoy Stephen Fry reading it very much, but I must say that since I read the first Jeeves book, my understanding towards the brainless sort of practical jokes P.G. Wodehouse makes his rich and educated heros perform in each book at their leasure without suffering any consequences diminished a lot, they annoy me now a lot.
January 31, 2024
Обожавам хумора на Уудхаус, а в комбинация с прочита на Стивън Фрай, усещането е незабравимо.
41 часа комични истории от живота на Уустър и неговия "gentleman's gentleman". 1299 страници, в които усмивката слезе от лицето ми, само за да бъде заменена от детински кикот.
Архаичните изрази и "невъзможните", аристократични правила на поведение са толкова забавни.
41 часа комични истории от живота на Уустър и неговия "gentleman's gentleman". 1299 страници, в които усмивката слезе от лицето ми, само за да бъде заменена от детински кикот.
Архаичните изрази и "невъзможните", аристократични правила на поведение са толкова забавни.
February 3, 2024
Although I’ve read the collection in paperback many a year ago there’s nothing like listening to these stories, as performed by the brilliant Stephen Fry. Stephen, who portrayed Jeeves in the British television show of the same name is perfection. The stories are hilarious. Bertie( Or his friends) always manages to get himself into a jam. Jeeves to the rescue every time.
December 31, 2022
As usual a thoroughly enjoyable narration by Stephen Fry of the classic Wodehouse. The stories are a bit similar and feel repetitive. But there’s always the sardonic humour and the silly British language. I especially loved the Aunt Agatha voice.
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