Piccadilly Jim
by PG Wodehouse
humour
copyright 1918
read in April 2013
rated 9 / 10: really, really good
This is the all-American Wodehouse!
There's a brief visit to England. A few characters are English. The majority of this book is American... which is good...
There is no rough-tough American set against very proper English. There is a wide range of character types -- all American -- allowing Wodehouse to be more flexible with his stereotypes. Yes, stereotypes... that is a lot of the pleasure of Wodehouse books! But, dare I say it: less stereotypical stereotypes!
There is, however, the typical confusion... A character impersonating a character who is impersonating himself... With various others hiding behind the flimsiest of false identities. Plus girl meets boy and it looks as though they are doomed to a parting of the ways. You'll have to read the book yourself to see if that romantic conflict is ever resolved... :-)
Yes, it's Wodehouse at his best.
And that is a very enjoyable, laugh out loud, likeable best.
Brilliant!
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