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.

(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.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

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.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

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.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

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.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I'd trade Jeeves for ten Brinkleys

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

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Chip

Aside from a humor that, because of its age wasn't terribly PC, these novels are one of the great literary joys of the 20th century. How lucky we are to have Bertie and Jeeves and above all PGW!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

This one differs a bit from BBC production

Extremely satisfying if you like to laugh out loud while listening- I always found the BBC production of this particular Wodehouse a bit too slapstick at the end and come to find out- they put in their own ending! Liked the original better.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

perfect wodehouse

What did you love best about Thank You, Jeeves?

it's all about the language

What did you like best about this story?

I go to Wodehouse for a light and funny romp and this was the perfect Wodehouse

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Cecil’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and this is flawless Cecil.

If you could rename Thank You, Jeeves, what would you call it?

no comment

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Out of its own time.

The story itself is typical Wodehouse fare, charming and goofy, but the language concerning black people can be troubling in tandem with an extended blackface gag.