Leave It to Psmith

From the moment when Psmith disappears into the Senior Conservative Club to steal an umbrella for Eve Halliday - a beautifully understated comic scene - the reader is launched into a story that should be compulsory reading for anyone with even a passing interest in Wodehouse. An exquisite combination of romance and farce in which that most debonair of Wodehousian heroes finally falls in love. It has been argued that an impecunious Psmith is a mere shadow of his former self but I couldn't disagree more strongly. Penury only makes searingly obvious what the true Psmith afficianado has always known: that Psmith is never more magnificent than when confronted with adversity.

It's real hard to actually say whether a particular Wodehousian novel is better than any other, but this one really takes the cake (and eats it too!) A marvellous story of the mayhem, chaos and utter confusion wreaked by the suave, amiable Psmith, this book leaves you gasping for more (even if you don't smoke a gasper). For Wodehousian fans, if you haven't read this one, well, what on earth have you been doing all these years!?! And for people who have no idea who or what or when a Wodehouse is, there's no better place to start than this bundle of craziness.

I love just about anything written by Wodehouse - i'm a big fan. But i can't bring myself to give this book five stars. Why ?
Well, Lord Emsworth is a favourite character of mine, and Blandings is the setting for many a well-loved tale. The introduction of Psmith, another big favourite, raised my expectations, perhaps a bit too much.
Basically, even though it was a light, breezy read, it didn't make me laugh aloud too many times, which is unusual for a Wodehouse novel.
If you're new to Wodehouse or Emsworth/Psmith, i'd suggest you try 'Summer Lightning' for an introduction to Lord Emsworth (and the great 'Uncle Fred'), and 'Psmith in the city' for Psmith.
If you're a fan, chances are you'll lap this up anyways ......

In a world congested to overflowing with books, _Leave It to Psmith_ stands alone.

My only complaint is Sheed's introduction--how can you bash the author of the book you're introducing?? I suppose it is higher literary criticism, but its effect on me was to make me feel like I'm reading trash only consumed by the undiscriminating public. "Nobody ever struggled harder to suppress his genius in the interests of amiable tripe. . . . Wodehouse wrote first and last for money. If he finally became a sort of artist, it was only because it paid to," etc., etc. It's really too much. Couldn't Random House find someone better to introduce the book?

Comic Genius's Coming-of-Age
How wonderful to see this latest edition advertised [and with such a brilliant cover]. One of Wodehouse's earliest works, it's the last title in his clutch of Psmith books and in my opinion marks the true flowering of his comic genius - the taste of so much enjoyment to come and right up there with his Jeeves & Wooster books. If you've missed out on Leave it to Psmith, then don't leave it any longer! Catch up fast - for those times when the modern world gets you down. The perfect laugh-out-loud tonic.

Where to begin trying to explain the comic genius of Pelham Grenville? Leave it to Psmith is a perfect example of the humor genre. It is light, bright, clean, unobjectionable (unless you adore fish), and even more importantly- hysterically, bone achingly funny.
The tale covers of the triumphs and travails of genial, bemonocled, and decidedly socialistic Psmith. (The P is silent as in ptarmigan, psoriasis, and psychiatrist.) Laugh as Psmith woos the young herione, lobs flowerpots at his host, and generally runs nonchalantly amok until he heroically saves the day. A must read for anyone who loves to laugh!

Wodehouse is at his escapist best in this insane tale where Blandings collides with the suave, eternally calm Psmith. It has everything you could wish for:a pretty girl, bespectacled secretary, absentminded earl(with his lame brained son in tow) not to mention diamond necklaces and flowerpots! And of course the benevolent eye of Beach the butler surveying the mayhem.The other two Psmith books were hilarious but this one has me rolling on the floor even after a tenth reading.A sure fire hit!

Written at the request of his daughter Leonora, this is the best and most popular book by the prolific P.G. Wodehouse. Psmith was his greatest creation, and if you've read the other three Psmith books first (and you should), it's very touching and funny to see him fall in love and make the ultimate sacrifice: masquerading as a sensitive poet and a jewel thief all at once. Highly recommended.

Far and away P.G. Wodehouse's funniest Blandings Castle story. (It might even be considered his funniest overall, even better than "Joy (Jeeves) in the Morning", usually considered Wodehouse's best. The flower pot episode will have you crying with mirth.

You'll chuckle throughout the novel as you follow the comedy of errors and convoluted connections in Leave it to Psmith (the `p' is silent). A large cast of characters descends on Blandings Castle for somewhat nefarious reasons. An enjoyable jaunt from a classic British novelist.

One of the favorite creations of Wodehouse, you can't miss this Psmith or any other.

My last Psmith book that was even more funny, was

Psmith, Journalist: A British Humor Classic

Enjoy both!

Literate, hilarious and enjoyable. However one stumbles upon Wodehouse, the fall is a happy start! With all the trash that passes for good novel these days, we would all do well to return to masters and their work. This is pleasurable reading at its intellectual best.

Wodehouse has surpassed himself with this one. Never before has Psmith's cool sang-froid come to the rescue, nor Freddie's half-brained schemes failed quite so hilariously. Plum is in his element here!

Unquestionably Wodehouse in peak form. Any visit to Blandings Castle is a delight. Throw in Psmith and it's pure rapture. If you've never read Wodehouse before, it's a great introduction to the master. (If you're already a fan, then what are you waiting for?)

If you know Wodehouse, you love Wodehouse and this book will just confirm your feelings. If you don't know Wodehouse, read this or any other book and you will fall in love with him. Every book you read is like going on vacation.