I really enjoy reading the ‘Jeeves & Wooster’ books. Bertie Wooster is such a lovely character - so pleasant, friendly and loyal, and yet also completely hopeless, foolish and often taken advantage of. His own opinion of himself is so entirely different to how the other characters, and the readers, view him. However he is so sweet and always means well, but always seems to end up in the most complicated situations that, when he tries to puzzle his way out of in a (to him!) logical manner, he only results in digging himself deeper into a mess! Bertie’s way of shortening phrases to only initials also amuses me, for example; “the f. of the s. is more deadlier than the m.” I also love how strict Bertie’s code of ethics is, and how he is such a 100% gentleman.

And then there is Jeeves, his valet…… who is intimidatingly efficient; is always one step (and several thoughts!) ahead of Bertie; and who technically looks after and cares for Bertie and helps him get through life, but who is actually always (very politely) contriving the situation to suit his best advantage! I also love all the literary quotes that Jeeves uses when speaking to Bertie, and that Bertie then attempts to adopt, but always either misquotes them or uses them in the wrong situation.

I enjoyed reading about all the characters in this particular book. There is Gussie Fink-Nottle (a “sensitive plant” and a constant drinker of orange juice), Madeline Bassett (who believes “the stars are God’s daisy-chain”), Aunt Dahlia (a shameless blackmailer), and Sir Watkyn Bassett (the owner of a surprisingly desirable antique cow-creamer), and Stiffy Byng (complete with rebellious dog Bartholomew).

The situations that Bertie gets into are very funny and the whole book is pure and brilliant comedy. The main plots (although there are also countless sub-plots) involve the attempted theft of an eighteenth century cow-creamer, the theft of a policeman’s helmet, and Bertie’s attempts to escape a) marriage with Madeline Bassett, b) the loss of Aunt Dahlia’s treasured chef Anatole, and c) prison, (with the priorities firmly in that order!). This is a fantastic read and a truly enjoyable book.