I don’t remember ever laughing so hard in a book as I did in this one. I’m sure I have, but I cannot recall a time when I have done so. And now I’m left wondering, how on earth have I never read any of P.G. Wodehouse’s stuff before now? How is that possible? I mean, I knew I loved the TV series, Jeeves and Wooster, so why would I not pick up one of the Jeeves books before now? What other wonderful things am I missing out on?

In this installment of Wodehouse’s Jeeves books, Bertie’s friend Gussie Fink-Nottle has fallen in love with Madeline Basset and has enlisted Jeeves’ help to court her. Of course, Bertie is rather put-out that his friends go to Jeeves for help instead of him, and decides to take over the case. Soon Gussie is sent to Bertie’s aunt’s home (where Basset is currently staying) on a strict diet – Bertie is convinced that if Gussie doesn’t eat, Basset will realize that it is because he is in love with her.

When Bertie’s cousin Angela calls off her engagement to Tuppy Glossop, Bertie realizes that his place is at his aunt’s side, and soon is encouraging Tuppy to not eat as well. THEN when Bertie’s aunt confides her problems to him, he prescribes the same thing. Of course, things don’t go as Bertie would have them go – not only does the lack of eating not have the desired affect on the other parties involved, but this doesn’t go over well with the family’s sensitive cook who then gives his notice.

After this, Bertie is convinced to find some other way to make things right – with people mistaking his intentions, getting Gussie excessively drunk before he is to give a speech to a local school, and culminating in having everyone locked out of the house in the middle of the night. Of course, when Bertie allows Jeeves to step in and take control things soon work themselves out marvelously – with only Bertie’s pride getting a little wounded.

(This story was adapted for the TV series. It takes up two episodes of the first season – The Hunger Strike &amp Brinkley Manor.)

Wodehouse has created these wonderful, lovable characters in this series. There is the perfectly brilliant and somewhat snarky butler, Jeeves, who manages to be able to fix every possible incident that Bertie could manage to get himself entangled into. And then there is Bertie Wooster, who is completely idiotic in a totally lovable way. Observe:

The first of the telegrams arrived shortly after noon, and Jeeves brought it in with the before-luncheon snifter. It was from my Aunt Dahlia, operating from Market Snodsbury, a small town of sorts a mile or two along the main road as you leave her country seat.

It ran as follows:
Come at once. Travers.

And when I say it puzzled me like the dickens, I am understating it, if anything. As mysterious a communication, I considered, as was ever flashed over the wires. I studied it in a profound reverie for the best part of two dry Martinis and a dividend. I read it backwards. I read it forwards. As a matter of fact, I have a sort of recollection of even smelling it. But it still baffled me.

…

Before sitting down to the well-cooked, therefore, I sent this reply:
Perplexed. Explain. Bertie.

To this I received an answer during the after-luncheon sleep:
What on earth is there to be perplexed about, ass? Come at once. Travers.

Three cigarettes and a couple of turns about the room, and I had my response ready:
How do you mean come at once? Regards. Bertie.

I append the comeback:
I mean come at once, you maddening half-wit. What did you think I meant? Come at once or expect an aunt’s curse first post tomorrow. Love. Travers.

I then dispatched the following message, wishing to get everything quite clear:
When you say ‘Come’ do you mean ‘Come to Brinkley Court’? And when you say ‘At once’ do you mean ‘At once’? Fogged. At a loss. All the best. Bertie.

As you see, he isn’t the brightest of folks. He means well but … you know. And it makes the stories so thoroughly enjoyable. Am definitely looking forward to reading more of the Jeeves books.