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A review by ravenousbibliophile
Jeeves and the King of Clubs: A Novel in Homage to P.G. Wodehouse by Ben Schott
3.0
Blurb: The King of Clubs is a Jack of all and a Master of some.
P.G. Wodehouse has long been the author I've looked to for bringing me a smile followed by an uncontrollable laughter. While the characters of Psmith, Lord Ickenham and the cast of Blandings Castle are undoubtedly hilarious, it is the dynamic duo of Bertie Wooster and Jeeves which have made Wodehouse my go-to author for a much needed pick-me-up.
I have often imagined what it would be like for Bertie Wooster and Jeeves to be involved in something a bit more sensational. Far removed from the idyllic world of the bright young things and into a situation that provides enough material for laughs but at the same time carries with it a certain gravity to which Bertie is unaccustomed to. Bertie & Jeeves involved in matters of espionage sounds like just the plot I've been craving. However, while the plot had great potential, the execution left me a bit more hungry than I'd imagined.
I went into this book knowing full well that it will be at best a decent imitation and by no means a duplication of Wodehouse's patented style of wit and situational comedy. It is after all Ben Schott's homage to Wodehouse and in that regards the book, for the most part, does a decent (and sometimes excellent) job. What I found lacking however, was the chemistry, chaos and chicanery of both Bertie & Jeeves. For certain there is chaos and chicanery, but more often than naught it is Bertie by himself or relying upon the behind-the-scenes machinations of Jeeves while just going with the flow of things (as is his habit)
A pleasant surprise however, was to read of a Bertie Wooster who's got more than a thimbleful of the ol grey matter. Bertie is, by no means, an idiot (certainly not when compared to some of the other Dronesmen) however, Schott bestows upon Bertie the ability to not only comprehend but also formulate and execute ideas and schemes that would make Jeeves beam with pride. In many ways, the book showcases a Bertie Wooster who has come a long way cognitively after spending time with Jeeves. Unfortunately, refreshing as this burst of intelligence is from Bertram Wilberforce, it is precisely the lack of intelligence and an abundance of wooly-headed duckiness offset by Jeeves' sterling brain-box that really brings a Jeeves & Wooster story together.
Be that as it may, I found the book a bit grandiloquent in the beginning, tedious in the middle and entertaining at the end. Much like a normal Bertie Wooster caper eh what?
P.G. Wodehouse has long been the author I've looked to for bringing me a smile followed by an uncontrollable laughter. While the characters of Psmith, Lord Ickenham and the cast of Blandings Castle are undoubtedly hilarious, it is the dynamic duo of Bertie Wooster and Jeeves which have made Wodehouse my go-to author for a much needed pick-me-up.
I have often imagined what it would be like for Bertie Wooster and Jeeves to be involved in something a bit more sensational. Far removed from the idyllic world of the bright young things and into a situation that provides enough material for laughs but at the same time carries with it a certain gravity to which Bertie is unaccustomed to. Bertie & Jeeves involved in matters of espionage sounds like just the plot I've been craving. However, while the plot had great potential, the execution left me a bit more hungry than I'd imagined.
I went into this book knowing full well that it will be at best a decent imitation and by no means a duplication of Wodehouse's patented style of wit and situational comedy. It is after all Ben Schott's homage to Wodehouse and in that regards the book, for the most part, does a decent (and sometimes excellent) job. What I found lacking however, was the chemistry, chaos and chicanery of both Bertie & Jeeves. For certain there is chaos and chicanery, but more often than naught it is Bertie by himself or relying upon the behind-the-scenes machinations of Jeeves while just going with the flow of things (as is his habit)
A pleasant surprise however, was to read of a Bertie Wooster who's got more than a thimbleful of the ol grey matter. Bertie is, by no means, an idiot (certainly not when compared to some of the other Dronesmen) however, Schott bestows upon Bertie the ability to not only comprehend but also formulate and execute ideas and schemes that would make Jeeves beam with pride. In many ways, the book showcases a Bertie Wooster who has come a long way cognitively after spending time with Jeeves. Unfortunately, refreshing as this burst of intelligence is from Bertram Wilberforce, it is precisely the lack of intelligence and an abundance of wooly-headed duckiness offset by Jeeves' sterling brain-box that really brings a Jeeves & Wooster story together.
Be that as it may, I found the book a bit grandiloquent in the beginning, tedious in the middle and entertaining at the end. Much like a normal Bertie Wooster caper eh what?