This second article in my reading guide for new wodehouse readers provides a reading list for the jeeves and wooster stories.
jeeves and wooster reading list
You are reading: List of jeeves and wooster books
- the inimitable jeeves (1923)*
- continued, jeeves (1925)*
- very good jeeves (1930)*
- well ho , jeeves (1934; US title brinkley manor)
- the code of the woosters (1938)
- joy in the morning (1946)
- the mating season (1949)
- jeeves and the feudal spirit (1955; US title bertie wooster makes it)
- jeeves on sight (1960; US title jeeves right)
- thank you, jeeves (1934)
- stiff upper lip, jeeves (1963)
- very grateful, jeeves (1971; US title jeeves and the ties that bind)
- aunts are not gentlemen (1974; we call ourselves the cat kidnappers)
*the world of jeeves is currently available in print for around £8 and includes the short stories contained in inimitable jeeves, carry on, jeeves and very good jeeves.
notes on the series
That’s right, honey. he was a chubby little guy who looked as if he had been emptied into his clothes and had forgotten to say ‘when’.
very good, jeeves
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bertie wooster and his witty servant jeeves appeared in more than thirty short stories between 1915 and the publication of his first novel, thank you, jeeves, in 1934. wodehouse was a master of the short story format, and The stories include some of Bertie’s most memorable adventures. They are an excellent introduction to the series and its characters. reading them first will avoid plot spoilers and ensure you appreciate all the “jokes” throughout the series.
The stories first appeared in magazine format before publication in three volumes as The Inimitable Jeeves(1923), Jeeves Continued(1925) and very good, jeeves (1930). their order of appearance in these volumes differed from the original publication order, and some of the titles were changed. Wodehouse also included modified versions of earlier stories, featuring a character named Reggie Pepper, as Bertie Wooster stories.
The three collections of short stories were collected in a 1967 omnibus, the world of jeeves, with an introduction by p.g. wooden house. stories have been reordered to better resemble their original publication order, and some are listed with their original titles.
jeeves world also includes two later jeeves stories, ‘jeeves makes an omelet’ and ‘jeeves and the greasy bird’, which appeared in some quick stories (1959) and plum cake (1966). the stories refer to characters and events from the later novels, so if you can exert an iron will and put them off for later, you’ll avoid spoilers. but no great harm will come to you if you read them first.
jeeves and bertie’s ‘first’ story, ‘extricating young gussie’ (1915) is not included in any of these volumes. Originally published in the Saturday Evening Post, it appeared in the 1917 collection of short stories The Man With Two Left Feet. There is some debate as to whether the bertie in this story should properly be considered bertie wooster or some other bertie of the manners-phipps variety. these are the kinds of debates you might find yourself getting into once you’ve gotten hooked on the series.
As the first my man jeeves collection (1919) was rewritten and incorporated into later stories, it is recommended for enthusiasts and collectors, but not as a starting point for new readers.
The novels introduce memorable new characters to the cast of Jeeves and Wooster, including Augustus Fink-Nottle, Madeline Bassett, Sir Roderick Spode, The Stoker Gang, ‘Catsmeat’ Potter-Pirbright, and her sister Cora.
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he spoke with a certain what-is-that in his voice, and I could see that, if he wasn’t really unhappy, he was far from it.
the code for the woosters.
Many people start their Wodehouse reading with The Code of the Woosters. As a highly-regarded classic, it’s a volume most booksellers tend to stock. The Code of the Woosters is also a favourite with fans, who recommend it to new readers with enthusiasm. No great harm will befall you by reading this, or any other book, out of order.
Finally, if this reading list leaves you wanting more, there’s also the 1953 novel ring for jeeveswith jeeves without bertie wooster.
next in the series: a reading list for wodehouse blandings stories
Happy reading!
hp
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