The Adventures of Bertie and Jeeves

Volume 1

By: P. G. Wodehouse

Narrated by: Charlton Griffin

Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (1881 1975), a native of Guildford, England, was probably the greatest writer of comedy in the 20th century. With each passing year, his work continues to grow in popularity. Jeeves, the omniscient, highly competent valet, and Bertie Wooster, the upper-class, feather-brained gadabout, are his two most famous creations. His stories are generally characterized by intricate plots dealing with human foibles and complex, romantic entanglements. This series of short stories are perfect examples of his style.

The four stories in this collection were the very first pieces Wodehouse published about his famous duo. They already demonstrate his mastery of style, language, and complex imagery which was so marvelously sustained in his material for the ensuing 60 years. These short stories are jewels of comedic brevity and masterpieces of stylistic unity.

The stories in this collection are:

• "Jeeves Takes Charge" Florence and Bertie are engaged to be married. But she refuses to marry Bertie unless he agrees to steal her uncle's scandalous memoirs before they can be sent to the publisher. This is the very first story which introduces Bertie and Jeeves.
• "The Metropolitan Touch" Bertie's pal, Bingo Little, tries to stage a village Christmas play to win the affection of a country squire's daughter. Unfortunately, the words and music are adapted from a risque London music hall foot stomper. The result is an incredible farce.
• "Fixing It For Freddy" Bertie takes his pal Freddy to the beach to get his mind off a girl who has jilted him. Suddenly, the girl shows up at the same beach. Bertie's reconciliation scheme backfires and Jeeves offers a solution.
• "The Ordeal Of Young Tuppie" Tuppie Glossup enters a local rugby match to impress a country girl he has fallen in love with. But this is no ordinary game. Bertie and Jeeves attempt to rescue Tuppie from impending doom.

Liked this listen? Download other titles in the Jeeves series.(P)1999 Audio Connoisseur

almost unlistenable

Would you try another book from P.G. Wodehouse and/or Charlton Griffin?

I'm a Wodehouse fan, but the Charlton Griffin narration is horrendous. Complete with tinkling 20's ragtime background music, this production is cheesy and grotesque.

What other book might you compare The Adventures of Bertie and Jeeves to and why?

After listening Frederick Davidson's elegant and understatedly humorous readings of other Wodehouse books, this came as a very bad surprise.

What didn’t you like about Charlton Griffin’s performance?

It was just too corny, campy, cheesy. A good narrator should disappear into the background and support the written word. Griffin's performance does the opposite. And--I wouldn't have thought this possible--ruins the stories.

Any additional comments?

Please have Frederick Davidson narrate this!

Great story, weird narration

How can one not love some of the early Jeeves stories? The reader’s voice for Bertie is high and weird. It grew on me somewhat. So not the best production but the only audiobook I saw with the first Jeeves story.

If you like Steampunk and Downton Abbey

From a time of privilege and largess when politeness ruled and hijinxed were nuanced. entertaining

Not good on any level

I really did not like this book. The characters are shallow and I was unable to develop any interest at all in what happens to them. The plot seemed pointless and completely failed to capture my interest. Worst of all was that the narration is simply annoying. The nasal quality of all the characters may be music to a British ear, but this American just couldn't stand any more after the first hour. And it really wasn't particularly funny.

reader ruined the story

the overly affected reader's voice ruined the telling of some much lived stories. P.G. Wodehouse himself would have likely been insulted.