Meeting Sir Wodehouse

I've been wanting to call him "Sir Wodehouse", because his writing is so delightfully British, so imagine how happy I was that Wikipedia referred to him as such.

For our April selection of Carrie's book club, one of Carrie's friends suggested we read a book by P.G. Wodehouse and I chose to read Uncle Dynamite.   This was my first exposure to Wodehouse (which I had always heard pronounced just as it looks but recently learned its correct pronunciation is WOODhouse) although I had frequently been asked if I had read any of his books when talking about books with fellow readers.  He had been described to me as an author of "British wit" and that description certainly fits. 

I found this book ridiculous to the extreme and impossible to take seriously.  In a nutshell, the plot involves the character (I use that word in more ways than one) Lord Ickenham who creates all sorts of bedlam in his endeavors to steer everyone in his acquaintance to life decisions of the happily-ever-after variety.

'Uncle Fred,' he said, speaking in a low, metallic voice.  'I don't know if you know it, but you're Public Scourge Number One.  You scatter ruin and desolation on every side like a ruddy sower going forth sowing.  Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness aren't possible when you're around.  You're like the Black Death or one of those pestilences of the Middle Ages, taking their toll of thousands.'

His vehemence seemed to occasion Lord Ickenham a mild surprise.  

'But, my dear boy, what have I done?' (185)

Wodehouse is a gifted writer and it took me much longer than I expected to read this pointless (yet fun) story because I couldn't help but savor his phrasings.  His wit jolted more than one giggle out of me which led to my family's request to "read it to us, Mom".

There are extraordinarily few good answers to the ejaculation 'You!' especially when preceded by the monosyllable 'Ugh!'  Pongo could not think of any of them.  The other's entry had caused him to repeat that sitting high jump of his, and on descending from the neighborhood of the ceiling he had found his mind a blank.  The best he could achieve was a nervous giggle (189).

Lest you think this book was 'fluff' or 'twaddle', I will point out some of the words Wodehouse introduced me to.  I could deduce most of their meanings by context,  and some of them I had heard before, but didn't know the exact definition.  These words are certainly not a part of my daily vocabulary!

• somnolent (7)--Sleepy; drowsy.
• impecunious (24)--Having little or no money.
• comported (40)--Behavior; bearing
• abstemiousness (40)--sparing or moderate in eating and drinking
• deleterious (43)--Causing harm or damage
• fatuous (49) --Silly and pointless
• nadir (82)--the lowest point
• somnambulist (103) --a person who engages in sleepwalking  

(In Bill Oakshott's demeanour, as he approached, there was the suggestion of a somnambulist who, in addition to having blisters on both feet, is wrestling with an unpleasant nightmare.)  I couldn't figure this one out by context, but once I looked up the definition the imagery was quite effective.

• contradistinction (139)--Distinction made by contrasting the different qualities of two things
• escutcheon (179)--A shield or shield-shaped emblem bearing a coat of arms (used in this context, I assume, as the family name or reputation)
• stertorously (184)--Noisy and labored breathing
• distrait (208)--Inattentive or preoccupied, especially because of anxiety
• captious (208)--Tending to find fault or raise petty objections 

I have Very Good, Jeeves, also by Wodehouse, sitting here on my desk waiting for me to read it.  I thought I would be able to read two Wodehouse books this month, but April was too busy and Uncle Dynamite took more time than I expected, so I can look forward to reading another Wodehouse this summer.  I'm glad I finally met Sir Wodehouse and thankful to Tim for spurring me on!