Think of Wodehouse and you think of Jeeves and Bertie Wooster, of Lord Emsworth, of Psmith, of Ukridge, of Mr. Mulliner, true enough. But, when you come down to it, what motivates these worthies (and unworthies)? Running after them, running from them, wooing them, placating them, rescuing them, being rescued by them-whenever a Wodhouse male goes into high gear, it almost always has something to do with a woman, and probably on too good for him at that. The work of Pelhem Grenvill ("Plum") Wodehouse displays both a high respect and ken relish for women-from demure damsels to frenzied flappers, his female characters are usually saner than his men (which isn't saying much). Here is an orchard of Wodehouse peaches (and a lemon or two): fourteen short stories featuring the outrageous Bobbie Wickham, the three ex-wives of millionare Vincent Jopp, the extortionate Vera Prebble, the near lethal Celia Tennant, the abundantly ripe Maudie Wilberforce, Cleopatra herself reincarnate in Cora McGuffy Spottsworth, and a basketful more. For those for whom romance is not enough, the stories provide useful instruction on how to avoid dealing with fiery dragons, th consequences of multiple concurrent engagements, weight-loss and beauty tips, how to train a fiance, the perils of ambience, a surefire method for establishing a film career and detailed instructions on imitating a hen laying an egg (a personal fowl). Who could ask for more-if indeed as much?
