P.G. Wodehouse was born on October 15, 1881 in Surrey, and in honor of the 142nd anniversary of his birth I’m sharing ten quotes from his books. I realized this year that in answer to the question, “Who would be at your ideal dinner party?” P.G. Wodehouse topped my list by a long shot. I am constantly amazed at how clever and funny his writing is. I’m especially impressed with his similes and allusions. When my reading palette needs cleansing I reach for Wodehouse, and I quite agree with this quote from Tony Blair.
“I envy those who’ve never read [Wodehouse] before—the prospect of reams of unread Wodehouse stretching out in front of you is, to long-standing admirers and readers like me and millions of others, something which is enticing to contemplate.”
“Lady Hermione did not strike her brother with a bludgeon, but this was simply because she had no bludgeon.”
This one made me laugh out loud more than any other quote I’d recorded.
“Pongo brightened momentarily, as a veteran of Agincourt might have done at the mention of the name of Crispian.”
This might only make you laugh if you’re a fan of Shakespeare’s Henry V.
“Captain Kelly pulled a chair back and lowered himself into it with a tight-trousered man’s slow caution.”
If your pants have ever been too tight, you can sympathize.
“Monty gasped. No Israelite caught in a sudden manna-shower in mid-desert could have felt a greater mixture of surprise and gratification.”
Wodehouse is on a similar level to Shakespeare in his biblical allusions.
“Really, Paterson, I am at my wit’s end about Anne.”
Mr. Frisby grunted again, this time to indicate the opinion that she had not had to travel far.”
Drive-by burn.
“At this juncture, with the conversation showing every sign of being about to die in awful agonies, an idea came to me. Tea—the good old stand-by.”
Once again, tea saves the day.
“The object of all good literature is to purge the soul of its petty troubles.”
It works so well!
“The Ovens home-brewed is a liquid Pollyanna, for ever pointing out the bright side and indicating silver linings.”
As a Pollyanna fan, this is a good metaphor.
“There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature.”
This is true.
“But these good things do not last. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands in sleep, and along comes somebody shaking us by the shoulder.”
Have you read Wodehouse? If not, you have so much enjoyment ahead of you.