Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Narrator Martin Jarvis-whose formidable skills have brought to life many abridged audio editions of Wodehouse classics-once more delivers a stellar performance. The author's signature prose ("There had occurred that morning on the New York Stock Exchange one of those slumps or crashes which periodically spoil the day for Stock Exchanges") gets its just desserts via Jarvis's appropriately droll reading. And the narrator-who is equally adept with typical Wodehousian similes ("He looked like the poet Shelley after a big night out with Lord Byron")-reads slowly enough that the jokes aren't swallowed up, but fast enough to keep pace with this quickly moving farce. The plot features all the classic Wodehouse ingredients: the eccentric occupants of Blandings Castle, a prize-winning pig, engagements that are desired, and engagements that are less than desired. Fans will be delighted. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
These two productions almost bookend Wodehouse's "Blandings Castle" saga, which began in 1915 with Something Fresh and ended on Wodehouse's deathbed (literally) in 1975 (Galahad at Blandings appeared in 1965). Over the years, the laid-back British humor and remarkably recognizable and inept characters exposed by Wodehouse's many works have been interpreted by a variety of actors and readers. Martin Jarvis is among the best-he cannot be surpassed in his ability to babble like the potty Lord Ems-worth or articulate a believable American accent when necessary. Even the women-from the innocent young ladies to the aged bastions of the Empire-sound authentic. VERDICT Keep them coming, Mr. Jarvis! For all public libraries.-Don Wismer, Trustee Emeritus, Cary Memorial Lib., Wayne, ME (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
