Something Fishy (Collector's Wodehouse) Hardcover – July 31, 2008

Seriously so funny, I was laughing out loud several times while reading this book. Wodehouse is such an incredibly funny author. I love his subtle one liners. He is so funny. I have just about every audio book I could find and now I have started to order his books because I simply cannot get enough.I almost passed on this book because it didn't seem as funny of a story line but I am sure glad I changed my mind and ordered it. Well worth it if you are in the mood for something light and funny.

The book was in excellent condition. I have no reservations about recommending the Book Depository to others.

Other than his cricket stories, I've yet to be disappointed by a Wodehouse tale or collection thereof. Again, more than satisfied.

If your next door neighbor hiked up a smallish mountain on the edge of town you would say "Well done, Wilberforce." On the other hand if you read that Sir Edmund Hillary had hiked up a smallish mountain on the edge of his town you would yawn. So it is with PG Wodehouse. When he writes a moderately humorous but unremarkable novel you toss it 3 stars and move along.The plot is fairly interesting as it details a bet between some fabulously rich men just before the great crash of 29 who form a pool to be given to the son who marries last. A few decades later there is some in and out running to acquire this fortune. Sadly while the plot is solid, the actual humor of the piece is a sort of rippling stream rather than the full Mississippian flow of laughter than the great Wodehouse novels bring.The really sad thing about the novel is the fair waste of two quite lovely characters. Keggs is a fine mostly ex-butler while pear shaped Lord Uffenham was a riot in Money in the Bank. It felt like the author had a lovely drive to the green with plot and characters to spare and then four putted. While trying to remain spoiler free, there was a potentially brilliant scene toward the end of the book with infamous detective Percy Pilbeam and three other great comic characters, that was just allowed to be a mild bit of business where Wodehouse in his Prime would have given us 5000 words that would have left us rolling on the floor gasping for breath. Then there was the conclusion featuring the surprise return of a very old friend indeed that was allowed to play out offstage. It was as if Julius died off stage and someone came out to tell the audience that Brutus had something to do with it. Here funny rather sputters, the descriptions lie unexplored and the two splendid characters are just pleasant companions on a summer eve as is the novel.

Originally published in the mid-50s as "The Butler Did It." Not the VERY best of Wodehouse, but a typically contrived romp that is fun for the sheer joy of the plot twists and language. It begins in New York on the eve before the 1929 Crash, and a clot of millionaires forming a tontine for their sons. Not a "last man living" sort of a tontine, but a more suitably Wodehousian "last idle male offspring to get married" sort. The story shifts to the 1950s and the last remaining unsuspecting objects of the secret compact. The usual array of bumbling viscounts, star-eyed lads, offensive heirs, engaged showgirls, boxers and one brainbox of a butler (not Jeeves, this go round, but one Mr. Augustus Keggs) are on hand. The thoroughly obnoxious, straight-talking art dealer Mortimer Bayliss is an added bonus.This edition is a downsized hardback that is a part of the Collector's Wodehouse, reissues that are all freshly typeset and collected as one massive set.

I collect almost anything I can find from P.G.Wodehouse. His dry wit and humor never disappoint.

A mass of recycling of themes and characters originating even from the !920's, but unlike in some other cases, done superbly, with inimitable style. In fact the revival of these ancient characters adds to the charm and wit. Even the lovers show a bit verve. A very decent addition to a collection of the masterworks, and the modern Everyman reprints are beyond praise.

Wonderful book , very funny loved all the characters especially lord Uffenham. His language, his use of words, his craze for crossword puzzles were hilarious. It was a very enjoyable read with great and justified ending. Would recommend this book to anyone in need of a good laugh...

I love all of P. G. Wodehouse's books!