Thank You, Jeeves

By: P. G. Wodehouse

Narrated by: Jonathan Cecil

Length: 6 hrs

Publisher's Summary

Bertie Wooster's newfound enthusiasm for the banjolele results in his eviction from his apartment and, to his outrage, having to take notice from his hitherto devoted manservant, Jeeves. Repairing to the country with his banjolele and new valet, Brinkley, Bertie soon finds himself in no shortage of trouble. A visit to an American yacht ends with him locked in a stateroom by a prospective father-in-law. Bertie escapes to his cottage only to find an intoxicated Brinkley, who chases Bertie with a carving knife into his bedroom, then sets the cottage ablaze. Only Jeeves, brilliant Jeeves, can set Bertie's world aright.

Don't miss other titles in the Jeeves series.

Public Domain (P)1994 BBC Audiobooks Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Jonathan Cecil gives a sparkling performance of this classic piece of Wodehouse humor. Cecil's Jeeves speaks with the great dignity and classic accent one expects of the ideal valet. In contrast, Cecil performs Bertie with all the winsome frivolity due to the fictional aristocrat. Wodehouse's confection of muddled engagements and provoked musicians is perfectly narrated." (AudioFile)

I laughed so hard I missed my exit.

Hysterically funny and for the most part extremely well narrated. The narrator does a stupendous job with very well-acted dialog between Jeeves and Wooster. My only criticism would be his failed attempt at voicing an American female -comes off more campy drag queen than belle of the ball. Other than that, an absolute scream and thoroughly enjoyable listen.

You won't be disappointed

I'm a big P.G. fan. I've read most of his works, and have reread favorites to the point that I can quote whole paragraphs.

This rendition is an utter delight. I laughed out loud often in my car driving to and from work.

Sibilance, Distortion, and at Least One Gaping Gap

“I won’t mince words here, Jeeves” I said as the man entered left-center with the drinks tray. “I am vexed.”

“Vexed, sir?”

“Yes, vexed. I will go further: I am irked.”

“What appears to be the problem, sir?”

I mused, marshalling (if that’s the word I want) the facts. “It’s not so much a problem that ‘appears’ as a problem that ‘sounds’”.

Jeeves raised his left eyebrow one-sixteenth of an inch, in a mute appeal for further details.

“Well, you know that chap Wodehouse, the one who ghost-writes my memoirs?’

“I do indeed, sir. A singularly entertaining gentleman.”

“There” I said, “you have spoken an Imperial Quart, Jeeves. Yes, quite the little blob of sunshine. Well, this lad Wodehouse has produced a slim volume all about you, me, Lord Chuffnell, Pauline Stoker, old man Stoker, old man Stoker’s yacht, Roderick Glossop and young Master Seabury’s butter slide.”

“All that seems quite in order, sir.”

“Yes…and no, Jeeves. You see, they’ve gone and recorded the thing. That’s what I meant when I said this is a problem that ‘sounds’ rather than ‘appears’.”

“The recording does not meet with your approval, sir?”

“No, it does not, Jeeves, and I’ll tell you why. In chapter 5, there’s a gap in the narrative through which one could, if so inclined, sail the Queen Mary. Over two pages missing—a total of 696 words or, to put it another way, 3,144 letters, all of which, mind you, elucidate—is it ‘elucidate’?”

“Quite correct, sir.”

“All of which elucidate the very nub of the problems confronting old Chuffy and that pirate of the Spanish Main, J. Washburn-by-golly Stoker. Complications without which the rest of the story is just so much sound and…what’s that thing of yours, Jeeves?”

“Sound and fury, sir, signifying nothing.”

“Exactly. And here’s another thing. I took a listen on the old Victrola but a moment ago and fizza-wuzza-wizza-fuzza.”

“Are you feeling alright, sir?”

“Me? Oh, fine. I was just giving a demonstration of how the bally thing sounded. A slight, underlying sibilance, Jeeves, a fuzziness; a tendency toward the less-than-bell-like tone. It’s a story where a good many of the ensemble let their angry passions rise, and let me tell you, when they do, the quality of the audio drops. A lack of crispness pretty much sums it up. The preface is perfect. But after that it’s hopeless.”

“Hopeless, sir?”

"Hopeless, Jeeves. This is a fact that cannot be too widely known.”

More English Silliness From The Master

The action of this Wodehouse romp takes place in the small English village of Chufnel Regis,where Bertie Wooster has taken a cottage so he may continue to practice the "banjolele." This alleged instrument is so offensive that he has been threatened with eviction from his London flat, and Jeeves has given notice.

Such is Bertie's devotion to his music that he suffers to lose Jeeves, who is promptly hired by Lord Chufnel, Bertie's old school pal. Thus, the action moves to the country, where a former flame of Bertie's, her millionaire father, and Sir Roderick Glossip show up proposing to purchase Chufnel Hall and set up a private mental hospital. Chuffy falls for Bertie's old flame, and plans to marry her on the proceeds of the sale of the estate.

This is P.G. Wodehouse, so the course of love does not run smooth. Complications involve some over-conscientious police officers, a drunken butler with a penchant for carving knives, heliotrope pyjamas, a troupe of minstrel singers, copious amounts of bootblack and a distinct lack of butter.

A significant amount of the plot turns on both Bertie and Sir Roderick wearing blackface in order to impersonate the minstrel singers. This is an artifact of the period this was written, but may strike modern readers as unfunny, so be warned.

Otherwise, a classic of the England that never was.

All time classic!

If you could sum up Thank You, Jeeves in three words, what would they be?

Cute, witty, entertaining!

What other book might you compare Thank You, Jeeves to and why?

The wry humor is similar to Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, just more sophisticated.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Cecil – was your favorite?

Always Bertie. :)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I typically listen to a chapter or two before retiring... couldn't bring myself to hit the pause button.

Any additional comments?

I'm a hard-core Wodehouse fan. There. I said it. LOL.

novel not Quite as fun as earlier episodic style

The earlier Wooster and Jeeves books seemed a little faster paced with the fun and action than this one. However, the language is still irrevocably Wodehouse, and certainly passes the time pleasantly enough!

Jonathan Cecil strikes the perfect tones for Wooster and Jeeves themselves, but struggles very occassionally with voices of other characters. His young American northern woman accent is hysterically bad, but I'm a young American northern woman, so it may not strike others so poorly. In general I am impressed with Cecil's vibrancy when reading.

Recommended for a light listen, but not the gut buster laughs of The Inimitable Jeeves.

This book has some racist content that will be offensive to modern readers

A warning to readers: This book came out in 1934. It features black face as a really significant element of the plot and the humor. It also uses the n-word occasionally.
It is still a hilarious and brilliantly written book, and Jonathan Cecil's performance is amazing, if you choose to engage with it.

Has Not Aged Well

I really enjoy the Jeeves books, but this one has not aged well. It’s incredibly racist. I would definitely suggest skipping over this one in the series.

some racist language

Love PG Wodehouse, but the story suffered (mainly at the end) due to a plotline that included some blatantly racist images and language. It might have been seen as screamingly funny back in the day, and a British audience didn't have the same history of slavery as the States but it will be offensive and unfunny to a more modern audience. It's too bad because the rest of the book is the usual, witty, delight.

I'd trade Jeeves for ten Brinkleys

Jonathan Cecil is a marvel at depicting Jeeves, Wooster and the whole gang. "You stand alone!"