Trouble at Totleigh Towers...

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When told that Stiffy Byng requires his presence at Totleigh Towers to perform a little task for her, Bertie issues a strong nolle prosequi. This young menace to society, Stiffy, while undoubtedly easy on the eye, is well known for landing her friends in hot water up to their chins. Plus Totleigh Towers is the home of Sir Watkyn Bassett who, due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, is convinced that Bertie is a habitual thief. Only Jeeves' brilliance in the past has prevented Bertie from serving time at His Majesty's pleasure, and Bertie has no desire to risk another encounter with Sir Watkyn. But storm clouds are gathering. There is a rift in the lute of love between Madeline, daughter of Sir Watkyn, and Gussie Fink-Nottle, keeper of newts, over the issue of steak pies – Gussie would like to eat them while Madeline is insisting on him sticking to a vegetarian diet. In the past, Madeline has made it clear that, should she find it necessary to return Gussie to store, Bertie will be expected to fill the vacancy for prospective bridegroom. Madeline, as readers will recall, believes that every time a fairy sheds a tear, a wee bit star is born in the Milky Way, so one can readily understand why Bertie is so keen to see Madeline and Gussie reconciled. The only way to make sure of it is to go to Totleigh Towers after all...

This is one of Wodehouse's later novels, written in 1963 when he was in his eighties. While it's still a lot of fun with all of his trademark lightness and charm, it doesn't really compare to the books he was writing at his peak. In fact, the plot is largely a re-hash of elements that have appeared in previous books – Stiffy and the favour, stealing objets d'art from Sir Watkyn, Spode threatening to break the neck of anyone who upsets Madeline, etc., - and Wodehouse frequently refers back to those earlier episodes, going over what happened in them with the pretext of bringing new readers up to date. Wodehouse always carried plot elements and jokes from book to book, but each time changing them enough so that they achieved a feeling of being both fresh and familiar at the same time, like variations on a theme – the ultimate comfort reading, in fact. But in this one it feels more like repetition than variation. I hesitate to use the word stale – Wodehouse could never be that – but certainly not straight from the oven. However, I suspect that might only be obvious to people who have a good familiarity with the earlier Jeeves books.

There are some new elements in it, though, which lift it and make it still an enjoyable read . For example, Major Plank is a retired bastion of the Empire, giving Wodehouse the opportunity to poke some fun at the British attitudes to its colonies at the time – though the book was written in the '60s, it's set in the '30s, I'd say. And, while Bertie's Aunt Dahlia doesn't appear in person, we have the fun of some of her phone conversations with her much-loved but exasperating nephew.

I listened to the audiobook version with Jonathan Cecil narrating and, as always, he does an excellent job, giving distinct voices to all the different characters and doing an excellent Bertie. Even though this isn't one of the all-time bests, it's still great, mood-enhancing entertainment, as are all of the Jeeves books.

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5 people found this helpful

Bertie on cracking form

Disaster threatens, Spode, Madeleine Bassett, Gussie Finknottle, a terriible weekend at Sir Watkin Basset's Totley Towers. Matrimony, imprisonment and worse - Jeeves resigns. Who can save the last of the Woosters? It must be Jeeves.
What more could you want?

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Excellent reading of a classic Wodehouse story

Jonathon Cecil’s excellent reading of this classic Wodehouse story brings all the diverse characters to life. Highly amusing throughout. A gem!

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I just love the Jeeves and Wooster

The PG Wodehouse books are just brilliant and read aloud by Jonathan Cecil is true treat for the ears.

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Wodehouse in mid-season form

What made the experience of listening to Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves the most enjoyable?

The wonderful world of Wodehouse and his eccentric characters is brought to life by the excellent performance of Jonathan Cecil, whose range of voices and characterisation both male and female is remarkable. It is a delight to be taken back to the carefree lives of the idle rich between the wars and be immersed in the exploits of the hapless Bertie Wooster and his running battles with his formidable aunts.

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4 people found this helpful

Fantastic

Pure Wodehouse. Very funny. I love Wodehouse's era, it is ultra idyllic and allows nothing uncomfortable in. There is nothing heavy in these books, they are just lightweight fun. If you want a book to lift your spirits or to have a good laugh this is it.

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2 people found this helpful

Another excellent J&W long story

Another typical J&W tale with relational shenanigans at Totleigh Towers among the familiar characters, excellently read and characterised by Cecil.

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Jonathan Cecil - a superb Wodehouse narator

Would you consider the audio edition of Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves to be better than the print version?

His performance is sublime in telling the many tales or Bertie Wooster, and his faithful savior Jeeves. His portrayal of the characters and the narrative far outshines that of my own, as perceived by my own reading of the text.

What other book might you compare Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves to, and why?

The Code of the Woosters. Probably the best of all the Jeeves stories, and for this one I would recommend the one available here, as performed by Martin Jarvis. I don't think there is a Jonathan Cecil version available, though I might be wrong.

What about Jonathan Cecil’s performance did you like?

His ability to convey a vast array of diverse characters.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Always amusing, and engrossing. These particular performances, being shorter than most complete audio books, can be consumed easily within one sitting. Had many a journey become most enjoyable, with such things to accompany me.

Any additional comments?

Nope, other than Wodehouse is great fun, easy to absorb, and enjoy. As read by Jonathan Cecil in this case, even more so.

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5 people found this helpful

No one can beat Jonathan Cecil as a reader of PG Wodehouse

He invokes the era perfectly, Wodehouse is the best of comic writers, and Cecil the only narrator that truly does him justice, a few come near, but he stands alone

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Very funny

Wonderfully amusing as always and Jonathan Cecil is the perfect narrator. A book to listen to at any time.

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