Publication
Penguin Books (1981), 192 pages
Original publication date
1940
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Description
This stand-alone novel is another fine example of the wonderful, zany humor of P. G. Wodehouse.Imperious American widow Beatrice Chavender is visiting her sister's country home near London when a most unfortunate thing happens, she takes a bite of inferior ham while having her breakfast. Soon everyone around her is suffering the consequences-her sister, her brother-in-law, the butler, poor Sally, Sally's fianc�, and even Mrs. Chavender's ex-fianc�, "Ham King" J. B. Duff.Don't miss this wild romp from the acknowledged master of British humor.
User reviews
LibraryThing member subbobmail
Another dose of P. G. Wodehouse, this time outside the realm of Jeeves and Wooster. The story centers around a young artist of cheerful self-regard named Joss Weatherby, who takes a job as a valet in order to win the girl of his dreams (who's already engaged to a Wooster-style doofus) and steal a
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portrait he himself painted. Henpecked husbands, poor relations, gossiping servants, airy badinage, an intricate comic plot -- all the PGW trademarks are here. His language is just as nimble as his storytelling. The whole enterprise virtually begs to be set to music by Cole Porter. Show Less
LibraryThing member ianw
Enjoyable story featuring another dysfunctional American family in one of England's stately homes.
LibraryThing member ben_a
Slight, excellent Wodehouse.
LibraryThing member comixminx
Very enjoyable as usual, though a lower page / gag ratio than is the case with his best books.
LibraryThing member losloper
When rich and imperious American widow Beatrice Chavender eats a forkful of inferior ham at her sister’s country house near London, it affects the lives of everyone around her – her sister, her brother-in-law, her sister’s butler, her sister’s poor relation Sally, Sally’s fiancé Lord
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Holbeton, and, most of all, Mrs Chavender’s own one-time fiancé, ‘Ham King’ J. B. Duff, whose rotten product spoils her breakfast Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
May 2018 reread/listen:
Simon Vance does a good narration, though his American accents don't sound right to my New England ears. Still, listening to this book is a fun way to spend a rainy day.
Simon Vance does a good narration, though his American accents don't sound right to my New England ears. Still, listening to this book is a fun way to spend a rainy day.
LibraryThing member PhilSyphe
More light-hearted from by P. G. Wodehouse. Not his most riveting novel, but very good nonetheless, with some great humour.
LibraryThing member raizel
There's a portrait that many people are trying to steal for the money being offered by the head of a ham company, a butler who wants to stop them, a sweet young thing who is a poor relation and treated like one, a brash artist (who painted the portrait and works for the head of the ham company), a
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terrible false mustache, loving relationships that don't always run smoothly, and more. It all works out nicely in the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member leslie.98
3.5*
May 2018 reread/listen:
Simon Vance does a good narration, though his American accents don't sound right to my New England ears. Still, listening to this book is a fun way to spend a rainy day.
Nov. 2020 reread/listen:
Still of the same opinion as above...
May 2018 reread/listen:
Simon Vance does a good narration, though his American accents don't sound right to my New England ears. Still, listening to this book is a fun way to spend a rainy day.
Nov. 2020 reread/listen:
Still of the same opinion as above...
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
0140009949 / 9780140009941
Physical description
192 p.; 7 inches
Pages
192