Mulliner Nights

By: P. G. Wodehouse

Narrated by: Jonathan Cecil

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

A private detective who can make the guilty confess simply by smiling at them. An artist so intimidated by his morally impeccable cat that he feels compelled to wear formal attire at dinner. A devotee of Proust whose life is turned upside down when he inadvertently subscribes to a correspondence course on "How to Acquire Complete Self-Confidence and an Iron Will." These are just a few of the many members of the eccentric Mulliner clan whose lives and exploits are laid before the regulars of the "Angler's Rest" by that doyen of raconteurs, Mr. Mulliner, in a series of tall stories where lunacy and comic exuberance reign supreme.

©2008 Copyright © The Trustees of the Wodehouse Estate. All rights reserved. (P)2012 AudioGo

The Weakest of the Mulliner Series

Jonathan Cecil does his best, but these stories just lack the zip and ginger one has the right to expect from a Wodehouse collection. "The Smile that Wins" and "Best Seller" are the best of the lot; "the Knightly Quest of Mervyn", featuring Wodehouse as comic lyricist, is up there as well. But the two cat-centric tales just don't grip. The premise of "Strychnine in the Soup" is too far fetched--or Wodehouse doesn't work hard enough at making you swallow his outlandish premise with no questions asked, something he is usually a master at. And "Gala Night" just lays there.

Not that these stories don't make pleasant listening as one cleans the kitchen or mows the lawn. But the Master has better stuff in his arsenal: opt for "Meet Mr. Mulliner" and "Mr. Mulliner Speaking" if you want the accustomed Wodehouse sparkle. I may be prejudiced, having seen the John Alderton and Pauline Collins version of several of these stories (and thereby knowing how some would end) but I don't think so. The Alderton/Collins versions of other Wodehouse tales didn't spoil my listening when it was a question of "The Editor Regrets" or "Portrait of a Disciplinarian".

When someone writes over 90 books, there are bound to be a few disappointments. This is one of them.

my favorite Wodehouse

These stories are the best! I could hear them every year with great enjoyment. They're laugh out loud funny.

Best Mulliner

I very much enjoyed these entertaining stories from the bar parlour of the Angler’s Rest. Inventive, funny and unpredictable. Jonathan Cecil gives his usual perfect Wodehouse performance.

Perfect Wodehouse

Jonathan Cecil, narrates all of Wodehouse’s book perfectly. It’s like listening to a radio show! Bravo. A must listen

Great audiobook

A great collection of short stories about the Mulliner family men and their crazy mishaps in pursuit of love… hilarious and very entertaining !

Love Jonathan Cecil!

Jonathan Cecil’s delightful reading brings great enjoyment! Great listening and great fun. More Jonathan, please.

chuckles chortles and LOLs

delightful silliness! thoroughly enjoyed! each chapter is a brilliantly narrated little story that lifts the weight of the day and makes me long for a stout and a stool at the Angler's Rest.

Wodehouse + Cecil = Joy

Escape from the disheartening news of the day by listening to any Wodehouse recorded by Jonathan Cecil. It's a match made in heaven. If you're new to this partnership, start with RIGHT HO, JEEVES.

a merry heart is a wonderful thing..

Thank you PG for another
memorable & entertaining book

Webster the cat at the beginning
and the Bish
at the end of the book,
are perfect examples of
Mr Wodehouse's inimitable brilliance.

thank you thank you thank you!

I hope you're having a good time in non-physical, come back anytime!

sincerely,
a greatful & loyal reader

♥️,
David Henry