Length: 7.8 hours
Reader: Jim Campanella
The book: Jeeves in the Morning (UK title: Joy in the Morning) is a typically hilarious Bertie and Jeeves novel with a typically convoluted plot. This time, Jeeves convinces Bertie to spend some time in the English countryside in order to help out his Bertie-hating uncle on a business deal. Meanwhile, Bertie gets entangled in trying to sort out the troubles of two pairs of engaged couples. Added to this recipe for disaster is Edwin, a Boy Scout with a tendency to "help" people in the most inept and clumsy way imaginable. All these threads build together to create a knot that even Jeeves might not be able to sort out, at least not without a heaping serving of anchovy paste.
In this novel, Wodehouse outdoes himself in ridiculous situations and silly dialog. Like in the other Bertie and Jeeves novel I've reviewed, Right Ho, Jeeves, many of the jokes are from the same formulas that are used by modern sitcom writers, but Wodehouse seems to have a better mastery of these formulas than most. At times, I think I must have missed jokes owing to my unfamiliarity with British culture and the contemporary times, but there are enough laugh-out-loud moments that the book as a whole never seems stale.
Rating: 9/10
The reader: Campanella is an outstanding reader and puts out a top-notch podcast novel. His voices for each of the characters is distinct, fitting, and over-the-top funny. The narration is in an American accent, but Campanella affects a variety of British accents for each character, from Bertie's aristocratic squeak to Uncle Percy's menacing brogue. Each episode begins and ends with some pleasant big-band jazz that fits in well with the text, though it does become somewhat tedious after several times hearing it. Taken as a whole, though, I can't say enough good things about this production.
(This review was entered as part of a Book Review Wednesday contest at Cym Lowell's blog. Follow the link to find other great reviews.)
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