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!
It all begins innocently enough with a What, Ho! and then before you know it everyone's up to their necks in the soup!Uncle Dynamite is Uncle Fred and each of us ought to have an Uncle Fred in their lives. He's the sort of energetic, well-intentioned chap to stir up the pot, sometimes when the pot doesn't necessarily need stirring.To explain the plot I would need to twist your brain about six ways to Sunday and attach it to a Slinky, so it must suffice to say that hijinks abound in a heisty capery sort of way with a bit of the "who's who, now?" and a whole lot of "but, but I!!!"s. There's Bonnie Babies to be avoided at all cost and love is in the air...stifled air that's headed in the wrong direction. With a well-stocked set of grey matter quick on its feet, Uncle Fred's got a solution for everything. That said, solutions often involve deceit and disguise. But of course it's all a matter of perspective, and if you'd only view it from the correct one you'd see how it's all on the up-and-up and makes perfect sense!For this volume of comedic mayhem, Wodehouse has employed his standard script and populated it with a few familiar faces. It's not inventive genius in the literary line that you read Wodehouse for, but rather to gurgle up a good laugh or two as you follow the daffy mishaps of his parade of pranksters and paradigms of English aristocracy circa the early-ish 20th century. Besides the impossible ridiculousness of it all, Uncle Dynamite is also plentifully stocked with some of the more absurd names the author's ever produced: Frederick Altamont Cornwalis Twistleton, aka Lord Ickenham; Reginald "Pongo" Twistleton; Major Brabazon-Plank; Sir Aylmer "Mugsy" Bostock.And with that said, I'm going to end my review rather abruptly, because why? Because here comes the last period.
What do You think about Uncle Dynamite (2013)?
I really had a great laugh reading this marvellous book. P.G Wodehouse, Like Lord Ickenham, must have been in his top most writing form while drafting this masterpiece.Simple yet chaotic situations and that ever-keeping-reader-hungry-for-more narration in typical British humour filled sentences make this an unputdownable book.I had the last 100 pages to read on a train journey back home that was to take 5 hours. I intentionally put-off reading the book for the first hour of the journey, as I was not willing for the book to come to an end.The night scene of chaos at the Bostock residence is rather embarassing if you were to be reading it in a public place for fear of bursting into laughter and falling off your seats!Your are forewarned!!!
—Nagesh
I will use this "review" for all the P. G. Wodehouse I have read. I read them all so long ago and enjoyed them so much that I have given them all 5 stars. As I re-read them I will adjust the stars accordingly, if necessary, and add a proper review.When I first discovered P. G. Wodehouse I devoured every book I could find in the local library, throughout the eighties and early nineties. Alas, this means that I have read most of them and stumbling across one I have not read is a rare thing. I'm sure that through this great site I will joyfully find at least a few I have not read, and be able to track them down.My records only began in 1982, so I do not have a note of any I read before then. I’m sure I will enjoy re-reading them.
—Libbeth
(Constable Potter reporting the matter of someone pushing him into the duck pond.)'I was assaulted by the duck pond, sir.' 'By the duck pond?' he(Sir Aylmer Bostock) echoed, his eyes widening.'Yes, sir.''How the devil can you be assaulted by a duck pond?'Constable Potter saw where the misunderstanding had arisen. The English language is full of these pitfalls.A highly complicated plot, like as if it might have been a well cooked spaghetti. Uncle Fred as usual lives upto the "pure dynamite" description of his by the thoughtful Crumpet. The tale goes into that state of impending doom, when he jumps into action and saves the day spreading "happiness and light" in the halls of Ashenden Manor.
—Sibi Rajendran
