As I began to write this, I realize that reviewing a comedy can be a daunting task. I can tell you the story of the novel, but that won’t give you any idea of how much you’d enjoy reading it. What however prompts me to write about it is the fact that this masterpiece doesn’t yet have a review on mouthshut.
PG Wodehouse’s novels revolve around a limited number of characters. Psmith (p silent) is his greatest creation (my opinion, anyway). Readers fall in love with Psmith for his imperturbable compose mixed with courtesy and personal charm. Like Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, PG Wodehouse’s Psmith strictly adheres to the gentleman manners of the early twentieth century England, but has certain distinct methods that border on insolence.
In “Leave it to Psmith”, our hero falls in love! While his first meeting with his sweetheart itself is hilarious, his efforts to win his love lead him into the Blandings Castle masquerading as a poet. Dark competing plots among many impersonators at the castle are being planned to steal a diamond necklace of which Psmith becomes a part. What follows is utter chaos and confusion. Psmith sees himself through all the situations he is forced to create with a non-chalant suavity that is so characteristic of him. Wodehouse innovatively builds a comical symphony in Psmith’s amiability and Lord Emsworth’s absent-mindedness. Many other characters at the Blandings castle contribute to the mayhem, most notably the efficient Mr Baxter who suspects Psmith’s identity. How Mr Baxter is tackled is perhaps the funniest part of the novel.
“Leave it to Psmith” is a light hearted story and the way it ends is not important. It is Psmith’s witty dialogues and PG Wodehouse’s commentary that would make you laugh so hard that you are left gasping for breath. The dialogues may be difficult to follow because of the times it was written, nevertheless worth putting the effort on every page, for there is not a moment to be missed in this drama.