1/20/12

Much Obliged, Jeeves, by P. G. Wodehouse, narrator, Dinsdale Landen

Much Obliged, Jeeves by, P.G. WodeHouse

Much Obliged, Jeeves
Series: Jeeves and Wooster
by P. G. Wodehouse
Narrator: Dinsdale Landen
Duration: 4 hours, 35 minutes
Producer: AudioGo

Dinsdale Landen, reads very fast, running many of the words together. It was hard to detect changes between characters. I've not heard anyone else read quite like he does, each word is said more on the inhalation of breath rather than exhilation. I had to pay very close attention, in order to understand what he's saying. It's not the British accent, my ear is in tune with British narrators. The timbre of his voice is good and there are many parts that are clear. I had to listen to various parts a number of times in order to follow the story or understand a name. I asked someone else, who is as familiar with British accents as I am, to listen, and she also had difficulty understanding Landen. She too, mentioned that it's hard to follow what the story is about. There were some chapters that Landen read at a normal pace with appropriate pauses and I did enjoy listening to those very much. Landen, did an outstanding narration with the phone conversation, between Bertie and his Aunt Dahlia.

The Jeeves stories are the frolicking antics of Bertie Wooster and Jeeves, Jeeves the valet/butler is smarter and classier than Bertie, he has to wrangle one way or another to pull Bertie out of one of his self made or providential situations. In Much Obliged, Jeeves, Bertie,  is invited to visit his Aunt Dahlia. The phone conversation,  Bertie has with his Aunt Dahlia is priceless, she talks loud, "like a hog caller" and 'can be heard in several adjoining counties'... Bertie calls her 'his aged relative' she calls him 'my peevish boy'. They, are however, very fond of each other. Bertie, is looking forward to visiting and partaking of Dahlia's chief, Anatole's, well know and wonderful cooking.
Bertie's old school pal, from their Oxford days, Ginger Winship, is going to be staying at Aunt Dahlia's also, and is running in the elections for Market Snodsbury. Bertie gets involved in canvassing for his friend and nothing Bertie does turns out well. Jeeves, being, a member of the Junior Ganymede club for butlers, and all members are butlers for the upper crust of society, write in a special book, giving tips and opinions about their particular employers. It's very secret, and is not suppose to ever leave the club. If what was written in it was ever made public it would cause untold scandals. Bertie, has more entries than most other employers, written about him, not surprising with the amount of predicaments he gets himself into. The book is stolen and it comes to light that the many things written about Bertie's pal, Ginger Winship, could damange not only his reputation but his chances for winning the election for Market Snodsbury. Binkley, is the thief, he is considered, unscrupulous, ruthless, and an unfeeling person. Bertie, is worried that Binkley might sell the book to one of the scandal sheets. The race is on, how are they going to get the book back. Bertie visits Binkley, to try and persuade him to return the book. This is not successful, and Bertie leaves feeling downcast.  Aunt Dahlia, thinks if she talks to Binkley, she might persuade him. Aunt Dahlia, doesn't even get in the door to speak to him. Enter Jeeves, to the rescue, Jeeves, being the wiser one, develops a most devious plot and carries it out. All of the Jeeves books are hugely funny and always a wonderful listen or read on a chilly winter evening. I highly recommend them. Each one stands on it's own very nicely and none will disappoint.
    I thank AudiGo for sending this edition of P. G. Wodehouse's, Much Obliged, Jeeves, for review. It is always a pleasure to do reviews for companies such as the well known AudioGo. I'm sorry that although the book is as great and funny, as anything by Wodehouse is bound to be, the narrator was sadly not to my taste. Perhaps someone else will enjoy him though.

2 comments :

Jess@The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow said...

Excellent review! The book sounds funny and interesting! It sounds liek some of the chapters were well done- but it is hard to enjoy a book if you have trouble understanding character names and what is being said. Love your honesty!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the nice comments Jess. The Jeeves books are really very funny, maybe in a British way. IDK, I do enjoy them all, best if the narrator is good.