It takes a lot of effort for Jimmy Crocker to become Piccadilly Jim—nights on the town roistering, headlines in the gossip columns, a string of broken hearts, and breaches of promise. Eventually he becomes rather good at it and manages to go to pieces with his eyes open. But no sooner has Jimmy cut a wild swathe through fashionable London than his terrifying Aunt Nesta decides he must mend his ways. He then falls in love with the girl he has hurt most of all, and after that, things get complicated. In a dizzying plot, impersonations pile on impersonations so that (for reasons that will become clear, we promise) Jimmy ends up having to pretend he's himself. Does he deserve a happy ending?
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"This book is so hilarious. I had never heard of Wodehouse or knew he was the brains behind the Jeeves and Wooster TV series I used to watch when I was young. The story starts with playboy Jim who sets his eyes on Ann Chester. Ann despises Jim for a piece of article he had written some years back. So Jim comes up with a pseudo for himself to get close to Ann. That's when things get complicated and starts to get funny. There is also a nice little piece of animated work that depicts the family in a not so flattering manner that Jim has made for the want of money. Add an international thief and you have a Wodehouse classic tale. The twists and turns he creates is amazing and very hilarious. Read him when you are feeling low, he is the best medicine in the world." — PenNPaper52 (5 out of 5 stars)
"This book is so hilarious. I had never heard of Wodehouse or knew he was the brains behind the Jeeves and Wooster TV series I used to watch when I was young. The story starts with playboy Jim who sets his eyes on Ann Chester. Ann despises Jim for a piece of article he had written some years back. So Jim comes up with a pseudo for himself to get close to Ann. That's when things get complicated and starts to get funny. There is also a nice little piece of animated work that depicts the family in a not so flattering manner that Jim has made for the want of money. Add an international thief and you have a Wodehouse classic tale. The twists and turns he creates is amazing and very hilarious. Read him when you are feeling low, he is the best medicine in the world."
“The farce is ingenious...The ideal Christmas gift for Wodehousians.”
“An idyllic world of sublime comedy. No better place to escape.”
“Wodehouse spoofs again the British upper crust in this 1917 title, which finds the incorrigible title character facing reform by his haughty aunt.”
“Wodehouse brightens up the dullest day and lightens the heaviest heart.”
" Wodehouse never deserves less than 5 stars. Absolutely hilarious read, this! "
" Wodehouse! Need I say more? (But I will. As read by Jonathan Cecil, this is a wonderful listen!) "
" It was fun! My first book by Wodehouse and I am already a fan. Could not stop laughing. The language is a gem. "
" It was a fun book to read with an endearing but not entirely original set of characters. The plot was a little predictable, but the intertwining mazes of deceit constructed by the characters were entertaining. In short, I liked it but I didn't love it. "
" I'm enjoying the plethora of words and missing how the language used to be spoken. As I read along, I feel I must have watched the movie at some point in my past... "
" An enjoyable comedic yarn filled with characters masquerading as others. I did not enjoy the story as much as the Jeeves-based novels; however, the story is built to make you smirk. A perfect read after finishing a strenuous or intensive one. "
" Wodehouse has amazing dialogue in this book, along with fantastic characters, together they make you laugh out loud. "
" You know you have a funny book on your hands when the protagonist has to pretend to be himself. Not as funny as the Wooster/Jeeves books, or as some of this other stuff, but still pretty darn good fun. "
" One of Wodehouse's very best. I had thought P.G. reached the peak of his powers with the Jeeves and Wooster tales, but Piccadilly Jim is right up there with the best of them. A brilliantly convoluted comic plot, lovable characters, dialogue that sparkles, and absolutely hilarious. A joy to read. "
" funny witty British humor with a bit of mystery . "
" This type of story is exactly what people love about a Wodehouse book. Lots of fun twists and full of humor. When I'm reading I never know if I really like it or not because I kind of want to pull my hair out at how everything goes wrong. Luckily, everything always turns out great...so that is comforting. One thing I really loved about the book was how Wodehouse doesn't explain everything right away. He'll present a scenario and move on to something else, then suddenly mention something in passing that completely takes you by surprise. There were a few things that genuinely shocked me and made me laugh. I don't want to say what they are for anyone who will read it. It is a silly story that will make you laugh. It wasn't my favorite Wodehouse book, but definitely charming. "
" Good, but not as good as Jeeves books. "
" I love ALL of PG Wodehouse's books, but this was one of my favorites! It was filled with twists and turns, and of course, humor! "
" P.G. Wodehouse s creations are evergreen.. :) "
" While I do love this book, I'm somehow a little turned off by Jim. He wasn't quite as likeable as other Wodehouse characters so my sympathies weren't really with him. "
" To read Wodehouse for any other reason than to marinate in his style is a mistake. This is one of my favorite Wodehouse novels--an entirely absurd 'plot,' paper thin characters, and yet a literary escape as satisfying and hilarious as any you're likely to read. "
" Hilarious. One of Wodehouse's finest farcicle tangles. The misunderstandings and miscues ratchet up as each character attempts to advance his/her own agenda and/or image. The lump of a child known as Ogden seems the wisest at times. Great stuff! "
" soo soo....still Wodehouse rox.. "
" Another gem of a book by Wodehouse. The book is full of his trademark comedy and amazing scenes. Laugh riot all the way. thoroughly enjoyed it! "
" Superbly written 2nd chapter, classic wodehouse. The rest is tiresome , all plot little wit. Only finished it as I was on holiday and was faced with Ian McEwan as an alternative. "
" Clever, witty and full of intrigue! "
" Like Summer Lightning, this was an absolute pleasure to read. I especially enjoyed the self-impersonation and the grand comparison between baseball and cricket. I'm still trying to wrap my head around a "wet field" vs. a "sticky field." "
" This one wasn't quite as funny as some of the others I've read, but I still enjoyed it even though you know from the beginning how it will end. "
" Good, a little laboured at times "
" A typical Wodehouse plot including cases of mistaken identity, Englishmen pussy-footing around in the dark committing minor crimes, boat trips back and forth from London to New York, impeccable butlers, and a beautiful young girl with red-gold hair. "
" I read this as a free download on kindle. It was funny and silly. I kept thinking it was like reading a play. I wonder if it has ever been on the stage or screen. "
" Most excellent and one would guess that it's a major favorite of George Will what with all the baseball love and the presence of the word pugilism in several locations in the text (although it verges, horrors, on disrespect for both American businessmen and the English aristocracy). "
" Not my favorite Wodehouse adventure. I saw a tv adaptation first, so that probably didn't help me since I knew what was coming, all the jokes fell flat for me. "
" I love Wodehouse. His books are such fun! "
" Typical witty Wodehouse. The only thing that really threw me was the ending - it was so abrupt and, to me, not worthy of such a romantic and complicated tale. It required more. Otherwise, though, a very fun book, as expected. "
" Brilliant and funny, only wish it had been longer! "
" Carino e divertente - un umorismo molto inglese e delicato, sicuramente elegante e di altri tempi. Da leggere d'estate, alla leggera... "
" I'm really liking this author, and it helps that his books are free on my kindle! "
" A jolly little tale with just about everyone pretending to be someone else or somebody they are not. Almost got to the point of being totally confused. Some later Wodehouse staples in evidence - overbearing aunts, obnoxious brats, insipid love interest. "
" It was good, although still had the feel of an early novel. You can see the mad plot twists developing. "
" Rather enjoyed this - nice change from the classics that I've been working through but not so up to date that I felt I was neglecting my literary education. Generally fluffy but sweet! "
" Wonderfully plotted and hilarious as always. Wodehouse is a genius. "
" 4.5 stars. Wonderful, thick plot, but my standard of "5 star awesomeness" has become Right Ho, Jeeves, and just wasn't as hilarious. But very good. "
" Beh, sicuramente in quanto a divertimento Wodehouse ha scritto di meglio, però devo dargli atto che la lettura è scorrevole e piacevole e i personaggi, per quanto sempre attinti dal solito repertorio, non stufano. "
" Own. Matt read it aloud to me.Excellent story full of twists and characters only Wodehouse can pull off. "
" Entertaining as always. However I felt that the plot took a while to establish itself, and it spiraled down again very quickly. The plot was satisfying in itself, though. "
Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (1881–1975) was an English humorist who wrote novels, short stories, plays, poems, song lyrics, and numerous pieces of journalism. He was highly popular throughout a career that lasted more than seventy years, and his many writings continue to be widely read. He is best known for his novels and short stories of Bertie Wooster and his manservant Jeeves and for his settings of English upper-class society of the pre– and post–World War I era. He lived in several countries before settling in the United States after World War II. During the 1920s, he collaborated with Broadway legends like Cole Porter and George Gershwin on musicals and, in the 1930s, expanded his repertoire by writing for motion pictures. He was honored with a knighthood in 1975.
Jonathan Cecil (1939–2011) was a vastly experienced actor, appearing at Shakespeare’s Globe as well as in such West End productions as The Importance of Being Earnest, The Seagull, and The Bed before Yesterday. He toured in The Incomparable Max, Twelfth Night, and An Ideal Husband, while among his considerable television and film appearances were The Rector’s Wife, Just William, Murder Most Horrid, and As You Like It.
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