Piccadilly Jim

By: P. G. Wodehouse

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson

He was a gossip columnist’s dream. Piccadilly Jim’s life was a collage of broken promises and drunken brawls. And his straight-laced Victorian aunt was not amused. So, she decided to reform him. Unfortunately, her reform project started at a time when Jim had fallen in love and had already decided to reform himself. Thus, life became complicated. Jim pretends to be himself - a beautiful display of Wodehousean logic; hilarious indeed!

Public Domain (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Just couldn’t listen

The narrator really annoyed me, so nasal and he read it so fast it was difficult to understand what he was saying.

This is probably one to read.

Wodehouse fan forever

I loved this book. A fun story written by a skillful author and read by an engaging narrator.

Great book!

I loved this book! Had so much character in it! Will be listening again.

Ended with a laugh and a light heart

I love this book! PG Wodehouse is good for the soul. I laughed out loud many times. I enjoyed this audio version.

Disappointing

I’m sure to anger Wodehouse fans with my review. This us my first Wodehouse book. I chose it because a dear friend loves these books Perhaps I should have read the book instead of listening to it. The narration set my teeth on edge.

Glad to Finally Have Frederick Davidson’s Version

Without a doubt, Jonathan Cecil’s recording of this book is very enjoyable. But for my money – and I know I’m opening a can of worms that might be better left on the shelf – Frederick Davidson is just better.

Though this recording gets a little creaky in spots, Davidson’s ability to play a character in such a way that you can almost see them never fails to amaze me. What some people take for an annoyingly superior attitude is actually Davidson expressing the skepticism (or mockery, or comic understatement) that Wodehouse wrote into the words he’s reading.

That said, this is one of Wodehouse’s best early, stand-alone stories. As I’ve mentioned in my review of Cecil’s recording, critical caviling at the plot’s manifest improbabilities is all part of the fun and should be accepted as such. The “musical comedies without music” that Wodehouse specialized in can be fully enjoyed in no other way.

Terrible narrator

I am a diehard Wodehouse fan and bought this audio book without checking the narration first. I really regret the oversight. The story is classic Wodehouse brilliance but the narrator ruins it. He may be good at other genres, but he should never read Wodehouse again.

Fun story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend the book because of Wodehouse's descriptions of people. The story is fun.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Piccadilly Jim?

His hilarious descriptions

What didn’t you like about Frederick Davidson’s performance?

He started very annoying (nasally). It got a little but better toward the end.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Depend on Wodehouse

What made the experience of listening to Piccadilly Jim the most enjoyable?

As always, P.G. Wodehouse met my expectations. I have read many of his numerous writings, but I love listening, especially when the reader is excellent--as Mr. Davidson is. He understands Wodehouse and his take on humanity. There is nothing like riding down a boring interstate highway, laughing aloud at some absurd name or clever phrase. As always, one wonders how Wodehouse will straighten out the complex mess his plot has created. Magically, by the last page, all is well.

What other book might you compare Piccadilly Jim to and why?

Any of Wodehouse's other works, especially the Jeeves novels.

What about Frederick Davidson’s performance did you like?

I admire Mr. Davidson's ability to voice each character, though it is amusing to hear an Englishman attacking different American accents.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Will the real--ANYBODY--please stand up??! Multiple cases of impersonation and role-playing lead to a humorously winding plot.

Delightful story

As is typical of the author, the characters were wonderful and the plot had many twists and turns. It was enjoyable from the first page to the last.