Friday, June 21, 2013

Madeline Bassett: [about Bertie] I think he's having a brainstorm! Aunt Agatha: What with?

When I was younger I used to roam the corridors of the local library fiction section, looking for inspiration.  I came across a few books written by the same author, PG Woodhouse, they were rather plain looking books, a bit like the one below, and fairly slim in comparison to other books.  But I took a chance on one.


It changed my life, I have never laughed so much when reading a book.  I don't know what it is about Woodhouse, wether it is the complicated plots, the amazingly rich characters or just his style with words, but I really loved those books.  I read them all!

Since then they pop up every now and again, with a series starring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry ( Jeeves and Wooster), and now in mp3 form so that I can listen to them on the way to sleep.


Here are some excerpts for your enjoyment, and if you have not read the books - get one out of the library and enjoy yourself.

Brinkley Manor:
Bertie Wooster: So! It appears that you've gone and got engaged to the Gussie.
Angela Travers: Quite right. We're in love.
Bertie Wooster: Oh, come now, Angela. Gussie's... Gussie's a splendid chap in many ways. If you've got a sick newt on your hands, Gussie's just the fellow to tell you what to do until the doctor comes. But honestly, old thing, you could fling bricks by the half-hour in England's most densely populated districts without hitting one girl willing to become Mrs. Fink-Nottle without a general anesthetic.
Angela Travers: Well, I thought it would be fun!
Bertie Wooster: Well, I'm surprised at you, young Angela. No wonder they say, "Oh, woman, woman!"
Angela Travers: Who do?
Bertie Wooster: ...Well, chaps, supposedly. But you know you're potty about Tuppy!
Angela Travers: For goodness's sake, Bertie, go away and boil your head!
Bertie Wooster: Well, now, Angela, if you'll permit me to observe...!
Angela Travers: No!
Bertie Wooster: Very well, then. I shall say no more. [gets up to leave, then pauses in the doorway] Just... tinkerty-tonk!



The Delayed Arrival:    
  
 Stilton Cheesewright: [referring to Bertie's cocktail] Now what do you suppose those things       are   doing to your eye?
Bertie Wooster: For your information, Cheesewright, one does not administer alcohol by the eye, or even by the ear. The mouth is the correct orifice.
Stilton Cheesewright: Not if one's meant to be in trainng for the Drones darts tournament, it isn't.
Bertie Wooster: Ah, yes, of course, you've drawn me in the sweepstake, haven't you? Well, your money is safe, Cheesewright. The Wooster form is as devastating as ever.
Stilton Cheesewright: We want a win this year, Wooster, not another dratted tie. I happened to look in on the Drones Club this evening. Freddie Widgeon was at the darts board, stunning everyone with a performance that took one's breath away.
Bertie Wooster: Tcha!
Stilton Cheesewright: Eh?
Bertie Wooster: I said "tcha!" scornfully, with ref. to F. Widgeon. I know his form backwards.
Stilton Cheesewright: He's knocked off smoking, you know!
Bertie Wooster: No!
Stilton Cheesewright: He takes a cold bath every morning!
Bertie Wooster: [shrugs] He's forgotten where the hot tap is.

Return to New York
Bertie Wooster: This is a bit steep, Jeeves.
Jeeves: Approaching the perpendicular, sir!

~
 


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