Good, but not as good as Jeeves books.

jimmy and ann enemies to lovers

Charming. Wodehouse is so delightful, and Picadilly Jim is no exception. It’s not worth explaining the plot because his books are always the same…a domino-fall of misunderstandings, near-misses and missed connections. And yet always consistently hilarious. He takes the British farce and carries it with a deft touch like a more contemporary Oscar Wilde. His only weakness is a propensity for gender stereotypes. He does usually include a strong independent female character in most of his stories, but he also portrays very traditional roles and personality traits. The bossy wife. The hen-pecked husband. The profligate playboy who learns his lesson. But despite these weaknesses, he’s just so darn funny that it’s hard not to forgive him. Even within his stereotypes, there’s a hint of tongue in his cheek. If you’re in the mood for a light treat, you can’t go wrong with Wodehouse.

It’s impossible not to be charmed when reading Wodehouse, and while this one doesn’t feature the inimitable Jeeves, it’s still a fun romp driven along by the author’s characteristic style. (Much like his characters, Wodehouse’s prose is exceedingly proper to the point of cheery absurdity.)

I enjoy the Laurie/Fry series of Jeeves & Wooster, but it seems the books are not for me. I liked the fighting young couple (Ann and the eponymous Jim), but everyone else just annoyed me. It’s a light-hearted, baldly written story, and I could hardly get through it.

2.5

Funny series of mishaps and hidden personalities