A Man of Means

Description

P.G. Wodehouse was a master of comedy who wrote many distinctive and unique novels that remain among the most outstanding classics in history to this day. While his earlier works, such as A Little Nuggett and Psmith, Journalist haven’t been as popular as his later works, this intriguing collection of stories co-authored with C.H. Bovill seems to be the exception, bringing both authors a great deal of recognition.

The set of stories comprises six early shorts from 1914, including titles such as The Bolt from the Blue, The Landlady’s Daughter and The Episode of the Live Weekly. The distinctive ironic narrative and Wodehouse’s signature hilarious characters often involved in unexpected developments will likely remind you of Jeeves and Wooster, as well as a few other later works by Wodehouse. However, aside from the fact that we don’t have a brilliant character such as Jeeves in the story, there are several other discrepancies, including the authors’ less common, but quite refreshing lack of an ultimate romantic pursuit.

The main protagonist, an impressionable young gentleman named Roland Bleke seems to have quite a lot going for him, including plenty of luck and money. Also, his many escapades would first seem to be a sure way to trouble, but quite surprisingly, it seems circumstances always line up to help save him from disaster.

While in the less forgiving world of today, stories such as those of Mr. Bleke might be received with disbelief, readers will find the humorous situations and remarks present throughout the stories to be well worth the somewhat more “naive” storyline. Also, as we often find at the end of Wodehouse’s best novels, it soon becomes clear that Mr. Bleke’s character falls perfectly in line with the story’s greater purpose.


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