Review book: Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves
Author: P.G. Wodehouse
Once I’d listened to Mr. Shashi Tharoor’s interview where he was excitedly listing out some of his favorite books. Though I was familiar with most of the books listed out, P. G Wodehouse’s name took me back as I’ve come across that name often in my school days. In fact, there was a whole set of Wodehouse books, but I stuck my head between the covers of Harry Potter and Sherlock. Tharoor’s mention of his many favorite books of Wodehouse, after these many years, intrigued me.
A week before when I was searching for something light to read or listen to, a book titled Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves popped up from nowhere. Very soon I started enjoying the narration of this old school British humour with a vibe and traces of Bernard Shaw’s wit. Even the slang, for instance, when Wooster calls Pinker, the Stinker, of the text grabbed my interest.
Jeeves, a typical valet of Wooster, is the one who helps him in, almost, all the situations. The nagging and pretentious aunt is, undoubtedly, a wonderful creation. I really doubt enjoying this book as a student for I would’ve not understood the subtle humour, and I wonder whether other readers too would enjoy this book. Whatever, I absolutely loved reading Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves.
But from a critic’s point of view, this novel sounds like a mockery of aristocrats. Its linguistic gusto is profound with myriad British accents. The butler Jeeves is intelligent but he doesn’t outshine his master. His tendency to protect him at any cost is a typical portrayal of Victorian mentality where the servants are expected to be subservient in all ways.
Nevertheless, I take joy in reading Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves, and would give a blasting 4 out of 5.
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