A Conversation for PG Wodehouse - Humorist

Update Forum: A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 1

Wyatt

Entry: PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update) - A20615104
Author: Wyatt... [Scout/Sub-Editor] - U1779623


Update of A155891
I think this about ready...


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 2

Wyatt


I'm just about finished reading a biography of Plum, so I will probably have a few more changes or clarifications soon, but I couldn't stand waiting any longer to submit.


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 3

Gnomon - time to move on

You should start with an introductory paragraph which tells us who PG Wodehouse was and why we should be interested, before you launch into the detailed biography.


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 4

Wyatt


Okay, how's it look now?


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 5

Titania (gone for lunch)

Myself, I'd like to see some mention of his autobiographical works, such as 'Performing Flea' and 'Over Seventy' - I find them hilarious!smiley - biggrin


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 6

Pimms

Good update smiley - ok

Not all his musicals were collaborations with Bolton and Kern (though that was his most prolific association) You could mention his most well-known lyrics are for "Bill" used in Showboat, [1927, Kern & Hammerstein II] (though originally written for "Oh Lady! Lady!" [1918 Kern]) - see your link to PG Wodehouse Society, Information Sheets, Lyrics smiley - winkeye


Couple of typos slipped through:
extra 'of' near start: ...part-authorship of of the lyrics
1st para of Characters: unsucsessful > unsuccessful
2nd para of Prison camp: unpolitical & villified > apolitical & vilified


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 7

Wyatt


smiley - ok


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 8

Wyatt


*ahem*


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 9

Pimms

I'd still like to see a 'mostly' tucked in before
"collaborations with Guy Bolton and Jerome Kern".

I note you've listed recommended reading and books to avoid. Is this your own subjective list? I admit of the titles listed that I've read I'd agree with which group you've put them on smiley - ok, but I might be tempted to expand the recommended list further to include all the Psmith books:
'Enter Psmith' (which is the second half of the schoolboy story "Mike" the first half being also released as "Mike at Wrykyn"),
'Psmith Journalist' (set in New York), and
'Leave it to Psmith' (a Blandings story set between Something Fresh and Summer Lightning)

I'd also recommend 'Sam the Sudden' and 'Bill the Conqueror' if you are not looking for sagas with main characters continuing, but do have other secondary characters seen in other Wodehouse books.

Personally I'd put the Ukridge books on the list to avoid, but that could be just my prejudice against the unsympathetic nature of the main character smiley - erm


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 10

Titania (gone for lunch)

Hmm... I don't like Ukridge either - I think I only ever read one of them, and decided to ignore the other stories


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 11

Wyatt


The books to avoid aren't my opinion, I read in a biography that these are generally considered his worst books. Well, actually, I have read 'Girl in Blue' and it does suck. I'll get to work on updating the list....


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 12

Wyatt


Updated.smiley - ok


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 13

Gnomon - time to move on

"The Coming of Bill" is the only Wodehouse that I gave up reading after about 30 pages.


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 14

Pimms

I finished it smiley - tongueout In fact I may have read it twice smiley - erm So I can say, having made it to the end, that it isn't just slow going at the beginning. I admit I couldn't remember how it ended, but it can be read as part of project gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext04/cmbll10.txt

Not a particularly humourous book. A troubled love story surrounding the birth of Bill, painting a dim picture of the overly clinical protective regime of child-rearing advocated by some 'progressive' thinkers in the 1920's.


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 15

Pimms

smiley - ok Wyatt on the updates. It may make more sense if you lose the comma in Psmith, Journalist, though I admit it should be in the title it confuses the sense of the comma separated list.


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 16

Wyatt


Changedsmiley - ok


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 17

SchrEck Inc.

Great entry, Wyatt! smiley - cheers

Just one thing, it's the famous Hotel Adlon (not 'Aldon') in Berlin. Berlin's best Hotel at the best address before WWII, was destroyed by allied bombings and rebuilt some 5 years ago.


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 18

Wyatt


smiley - cheers


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 19

Wyatt


Any more suggestions?


A20615104 - PG Wodehouse - Humourist (Update)

Post 20

Wyatt


*see post 19*


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