Leave it to Psmith

This book is fantastic, one of my favorite titles by Wodehouse. While listening to this title, I had an epiphany about the inspiration and influence that Douglas Adams found in the work of P.G. Wodehouse, especially for the Dirk Gently series by Adams - my absolute favorite books. The writing style, clever use of the English language, and the fundamental interconnectedness of all things (including all elements of the plot) brought me to a new of appreciation of both authors' work.

If you are new to Wodehouse, “Leave it to Psmith” is a great place to start. I was so happy to see that Chivers finally released the title to Audible. Jonathan Cecil’s reading is more of a performance, than a reading, both rich and full of character; Cecil’s voice brings Wodehouse to life. The story contains several of my best loved Wodehouse moments, the infamous “pale parabola of joy”, the wonderful image of a muddily yet efficient secretary throwing flower pots thought windows, along with a pistol wielding poetess.

My advice, scoop this one up, and fast.

This is my first encounter with Psmith. Such a fabulous creation, and I particularly loved hearing him in action at Blandings. I'm now off to find more Psmith, as this is exactly the kind of escapism I need on my commute!

Many modern comic authors state their admiration of Wodehouse and it is easy to see why. These books are such fun. This book is packed with wild schemes, comically desperate situations, a henpecked husband and a number of monetary troubles that might be solves by the theft of a necklace. The whole tale is told with the typical comic warmth of a Wodehouse story. My only complaint is that the audio quality could be a little better. It seems that no one has bothered to clean up the recording since it was a book on tape (Last one I listened to by the same narrator had left in a direction to turn the tape to side to at one point). So the volume and clarity go in and out from chapter to chapter. However, it is still easily listened to and the narration is quite good.

Always have love the Psmith series and I think that this one is the best. The narrator really has got the feel of the story and does a wonderful job. I'm sure that this is how Wodehouse would have liked his stories read. Although the recording is not the best quality the narrator makes up for it.

This is P. G. Wodehouse at his best. The writing is witty, the characters are interesting, the plot hopelessly complicated, and imposters abound (as is always the case at Blandings Castle.) Jonathan Cecil is an excellent reader for this and other Wodehouse novels--the voices, the timing, the inflections. Highly recommended.

I want everyone to read P G Wodehouse

Baxter and the flowerpots

Psmith of course!

Lord Emsworth

Everyone should read Wodehouse to brighten their day

Jonathan Cecil is, in my opinion, the best of the many narrators of Wodehouse, and Leave It to Psmith one of the funniest Wodehouse novels, both of which are saying a good deal. This is very highly entertaining and will not disappoint fans of Psmith or Blandings.

My only reservation is that, although this audiobook has been issued on CD and is available for MP3 download elsewhere, Audible's copy is taken from cassettes, and the sound quality is accordingly variable.

Psmith is the best of Wodehouse's characters--better even than Bertie & Jeeves--and Jonathan Cecil is the king of Wodehouse narrators.

If you haven't tried Wodehouse yet you have a treat in store, unless you are among the one in four whose reading age is in single figures. Readers of Wodehouse need no recommendation from me. There is a trove of treasure to be enjoyed. Jonathan Cecil's own voice is perfect but his expertise with other voices could be improved.