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Something Fresh Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,867 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Welcome to Blandings Castle, a place that is never itself without an imposter.
Wodehouse himself once noted that "Blandings has impostors like other houses have mice." On this particular occasion there are two, both intent on a dangerous enterprise. Lord Emsworth's secretary, the Efficient Baxter, is on the alert and determined to discover what is afoot—despite the distractions caused by the Honorable Freddie Threepwood's hapless affair of the heart.
Freddie is engaged to marry the daughter of a wealthy American who is a passionate collector of ancient Egyptian scarabs. When one goes missing, a thousand-pound reward is offered for its return and Blandings becomes a madhouse as friends turn rivals in the scramble to retrieve the object.
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"The first of the Blandings Castle novels is a treasure. I love the absent-minded, doddering Lord Emsworth. Like with most Wodehouse novels, the plot in convoluted and full of twists and turns. One of those books you finish and wish there was more. As it's a series, there is!!!!"
— Stephen (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“For Wodehouse there has been no fall of Man…The gardens of Blandings Castle are the original gardens of Eden from which we are all exiled.”
— Evelyn Waugh
Something Fresh Listener Reviews
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" An early example from the Blandings series with, I suspect, the characters not quite fully rounded. Freddie seems a bit of a copy of Bertie Wooster (at this stage anyway) and Emsworth is rather peripheral. Be interesting to see how the series grows and develops "
— John, 2/13/2014 -
" I feel a long run on P.G. Wodehouse for me. I'd been listening to some of the Jeeves stories on my ipod, so I checked out a couple of his other books at the library. Superfun. Great for a chuckle. I'm addicted. "
— Tara, 1/31/2014 -
" I found myself smiling the whole way through. "
— Nina, 1/22/2014 -
" This is a very entertaining introduction to Lord Emsworth and Blandings Castle. A great read to start the year with! "
— Georgina, 1/19/2014 -
" I read an extremely old edition of this book, then titled "Something New." As ridiculous and hilarious as the others. "
— Caroline, 1/17/2014 -
" Very funny. I laughed out loud a few times. Great little plot. A beautifully written confection. "
— Scottholdensmith, 1/1/2014 -
" Another wonderfully funny book from Wodehouse, full of mischievous characters and young love. I'd recommend a good dose of any Wodehouse to anyone who needs a pick-me-up. "
— Kylie, 12/25/2013 -
" The first Blandings Wodehouse that I've read.. funny and good. "
— Steve, 12/23/2013 -
" Blandings is not my favorite Wodehouse setting; however, his humor more than makes up for it. The character's interactions are hilarious, and this book comes with the added bonus of a look into the life of a domestic servant. "
— Roshni, 11/24/2013 -
" Read much like an extended Oscar Wilde narrative "
— Nilanjana, 11/13/2013 -
" First time I've read Wodehouse---light and fun "
— Doris, 11/13/2013 -
" I don't usually find Wodehouse's earlier books as funny as the ones from the 1920s-1940s, but this one is a lot of fun. "
— Miriam, 11/5/2013 -
" I adore the Jeeves & Wooster stories and I wanted to love this, but it wasn't that funny. "
— Sara, 9/24/2013 -
" This is the first book in the Blandings Castle series by Wodehouse. Enjoyed it thoroughly! "
— Manikanta, 8/6/2013 -
" My husband and I are reading Wodehouse again. The Blandings books are his favorites. "
— Stephanie, 3/18/2013 -
" I absolutely adore Wodehouse ! "
— Sreemoyee, 1/12/2013 -
" Thought this one started a little slower and creakier than most Wodehouses (and it's weird to see Blandings Castle in its first appearance, when the characterizations weren't yet as finely honed), but it still ends up being a very entertaining book. "
— Matt, 11/26/2012 -
" Made for very interesting reading. Finished it in 2 days flat! "
— Kanika, 10/1/2011 -
" I read this under the alternate title of "Something New". It was hilarious! "
— Jackie, 7/12/2011 -
" I read this while studying for the GREs. It was perfect for building my English vocabulary, and funny enough to distract me from my worries for the upcoming test. Wodehouse, you never fail. "
— Naomi, 6/28/2011 -
" One of the funniest, pleasurable books I've ever read. And terrific writing on top of everything. Master of his craft. "
— VincentVega, 5/12/2011 -
" Reading Wodehouse is like watching an intricate parade of curiosities. You laugh, point and clap. And then you do it again. "
— Athos, 4/28/2011 -
" just what i needed after a long break. "
— Nomad, 3/28/2011 -
" This is a very entertaining introduction to Lord Emsworth and Blandings Castle. A great read to start the year with! "
— Georgina, 1/7/2011 -
" I don't usually find Wodehouse's earlier books as funny as the ones from the 1920s-1940s, but this one is a lot of fun. "
— Miriam, 11/20/2010 -
" I laughed so hard at one point in this book that I started to cry and had to take a five minute break until I stopped shaking from the laughter and could see clearly enough to read the words on the page. <br/> <br/>A great post-<em>Hunger Games</em> pick-me-up. "
— Dani, 9/3/2010 -
" I feel a long run on P.G. Wodehouse for me. I'd been listening to some of the Jeeves stories on my ipod, so I checked out a couple of his other books at the library. Superfun. Great for a chuckle. I'm addicted. "
— Tara, 7/28/2010 -
" First of mine from the Blandings series. Not as nearly fantastic as the Jeeves and Wooster series but equally quaint. "
— Tashfeen, 7/11/2010 -
" The first Blandings Wodehouse that I've read.. funny and good. "
— Steve, 5/31/2010 -
" I hadn't thought Wodehouse wrote anything funnier than the Jeeves series, but this early work may be it. It's hilarious! "
— Karen, 5/30/2010 -
" My first dip into Wodehouse's "Blandings" series. I didn't think I could live without Jeeves, but this was wonderful too! Such wit!! "
— Michelle, 2/16/2010 -
" Another wonderfully funny book from Wodehouse, full of mischievous characters and young love. I'd recommend a good dose of any Wodehouse to anyone who needs a pick-me-up. "
— Kylie, 1/20/2010 -
" I've only read three of his books, and am in the middle of a short story collection; and this has been my favorite one yet. I would love to discover that it had been turned into a play or movie. "
— Jeffrey, 1/14/2010
About P. G. Wodehouse
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.
About Frederick Davidson
Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.