I’ve finally finished another Jeeves and Wooster book, after a longer-than-expected break after the slightly unpleasant read that was Ukridge. I didn’t actually get put off Wodehouse by Ukridge, but my TBR list has been out of control lately and library vists are slightly less frequent now.

I mentioned in my review of Ukridge that Corky reminded me of Bertie without Jeeves. Well, in Jeeves in the Offing, poor Bertie actually has to make it through most of the book without Jeeves, since that excellent man is away on a holiday. Thankfully, Bertie has decent friends (i.e. Kipper Herring, not Roberta (Bobbie) Wickham) who stand up for him – unless they need his help to get married.

Jeeves in the Offing takes place at the home of Bertie’s excellent Aunt Dahlia, although her cook Anatole gets slightly less airtime here. The not-modern Dutch cow creamer that featured in The Code of the Woosters is mentioned more often, which is a pity because Anatole’s food always sounds divine.

Problems that poor Bertie has to solve in this book include an unexpected engagement between him and Bobbie (who’s actually engaged Kipper), prevent an engagement between Phyllis and Wilbert Cream, and make sure that Sir Roderick Glossop, who definitely doesn’t like Bertie, doesn’t get exposed from his disguise as a butler. Naturally, Bertie cannot handle everything and when things get too much, it’s off to Jeeves he goes.

Honestly, I enjoyed this so much more than Ukridge. I suppose it’s the lack of malice from Bertie’s friends; sure Bobbie’s thoughtless but Bertie and Kipper do seem to be good friends, judging from Kipper’s reaction to the news of engagement between Bobbie and Bertie. And while there are plenty of characters that don’t like Bertie, they are straightforward antagonists and the conflict provides fodder for laughter, rather than cringe. I suppose the difference is in how the conflict is presented – in Ukridge, the conflict comes about because Ukridge is a thoughtless ass. For Bertie, the conflict comes about because he’s useless without Jeeves. It’s easier for me to laugh at Bertie’s helplessness than at Corky’s misfortune.

I’m not sure if I just wrote a review of Jeeves in the Offing or if I also snuck in another chance to complain about Ukridge (possibly both?) but I would definitely recommend this. While the hijings verge on the unbelievable at times, especially the way Bertie and Dahlia talk to each other, the story is fun and works as the perfect mood lifter.