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anothersarah's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maddiewagner's review
4.0
Life at Blandings is a compilation of 3 separate books by P. G. Wodehouse devoted to the family of Lord Emsworth of Blandings Castle.
Something Fresh is the first book in the omnibus. In this story Lord Emsworth's son Freddie is engaged to an American millionaire's daughter (as was much the style in the early/mid 20th century for British second sons). Emsworth's absentmindedness causes a stir in these plans when he accidentally steals his son's soon-to-be-father-in-law's prize collectible scarab. Hijinks and duplicity ensue as several outlying characters are engaged to visit Blandings Castle in disguises to reclaim the scarab for Mr. Peters and earn a large reward.
Summer Lightening takes place a while after Something Fresh. Lord Emsworth's son Freddie has been married off and is out of his hair. However for the poor peer cannot relax because his relations are taking residence - particularly a controlling sister and a mopey niece. This tale focuses on two pairs of lovers - Millicent (the mopey niece) and Hugo (Lord Emsworth's slothy secretary), and Ronnie (a nephew) and Sue a *gasp* chorus girl. The story hinges on the Empress of Blandings - a prize pig doted on by Lord Emsworth - who disappears. There are many characters and misunderstandings but all ends, as it usually does in a Wodehouse, as it should.
Finally, this tome rounds up with Heavy Weather. This book takes place about a week after Summer Lightening wraps up and includes many of the same characters. The Empress of Blandings still figures prominently and many events unfold because of Emsworth's concern that his local rival Sir Parsloe-Parsloe will attempt to nobble her chances in the upcoming fair. The young lovers Ronnie and Sue remain on tense footing in this tale because of the introduction of Ronnie's mother and Emsworth's sister Lady Julia, and a new secretary to Lord Emsworth, the dashing Monty Bodkin. The other driving story line is that Emsworth's younger brother Galahad (who led a very misspent youth) has written reminisces that some people want published and others desperately want destroyed.
These three books combined were very enjoyable reads. Even if I hadn't already been apprised of how Freddie married (as occurred between the first two books) that would not have interfered with understanding or enjoying these diverting tales which touch on the snobbishness of the upper class (the term noblesse oblige is used), the rigid hierarchy that results even among the staff of the upper crust, and the ultimate lesson that even the best laid plans go awry. There is a bit of repetition between the second and last books as they take place back to back (but were written years apart) with many of the same characters and underlying tensions but enjoyable nonetheless.
Something Fresh is the first book in the omnibus. In this story Lord Emsworth's son Freddie is engaged to an American millionaire's daughter (as was much the style in the early/mid 20th century for British second sons). Emsworth's absentmindedness causes a stir in these plans when he accidentally steals his son's soon-to-be-father-in-law's prize collectible scarab. Hijinks and duplicity ensue as several outlying characters are engaged to visit Blandings Castle in disguises to reclaim the scarab for Mr. Peters and earn a large reward.
Summer Lightening takes place a while after Something Fresh. Lord Emsworth's son Freddie has been married off and is out of his hair. However for the poor peer cannot relax because his relations are taking residence - particularly a controlling sister and a mopey niece. This tale focuses on two pairs of lovers - Millicent (the mopey niece) and Hugo (Lord Emsworth's slothy secretary), and Ronnie (a nephew) and Sue a *gasp* chorus girl. The story hinges on the Empress of Blandings - a prize pig doted on by Lord Emsworth - who disappears. There are many characters and misunderstandings but all ends, as it usually does in a Wodehouse, as it should.
Finally, this tome rounds up with Heavy Weather. This book takes place about a week after Summer Lightening wraps up and includes many of the same characters. The Empress of Blandings still figures prominently and many events unfold because of Emsworth's concern that his local rival Sir Parsloe-Parsloe will attempt to nobble her chances in the upcoming fair. The young lovers Ronnie and Sue remain on tense footing in this tale because of the introduction of Ronnie's mother and Emsworth's sister Lady Julia, and a new secretary to Lord Emsworth, the dashing Monty Bodkin. The other driving story line is that Emsworth's younger brother Galahad (who led a very misspent youth) has written reminisces that some people want published and others desperately want destroyed.
These three books combined were very enjoyable reads. Even if I hadn't already been apprised of how Freddie married (as occurred between the first two books) that would not have interfered with understanding or enjoying these diverting tales which touch on the snobbishness of the upper class (the term noblesse oblige is used), the rigid hierarchy that results even among the staff of the upper crust, and the ultimate lesson that even the best laid plans go awry. There is a bit of repetition between the second and last books as they take place back to back (but were written years apart) with many of the same characters and underlying tensions but enjoyable nonetheless.
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