Veronique's Reviews > Something Fresh

Something Fresh, first instalment of the Blandings series, is a brilliant comedy. Once again, Wodehouse succeeds in juggling with several convoluted plot threads to great entertainment. It is truly amazing how he doesn't get entangled!! 

Lord Emsworth, the forgetful and kleptomaniac earl of Blandings Castle, has appropriated himself of the prized possession of a wealthy American collector, who happens to be the father of his youngest son's fiancee. One can only imagine the ire of the hypochondriac magnate who will do anything to get his scarab back, even to the extend of employing someone to steal it back. Add to this a romance or two, blackmailing, a detective writer, a secretary with bulldog tendencies, and a butler with a troubled stomach. Life is anything but quiet at Blandings, especially in the middle of the night!!!

Although this novel was published in 1915 and shows a social world that doesn't exist anymore, Wodehouse is still a brilliant read today due to his colourful characters (all larger than life and yet believable), witty dialogue, and scene staging. The resulting book is not only extremely entertaining but also very cinematographic. I often had the impression of seeing a film while reading it :0)