Review | Jeeves and the Leap of Faith by Ben Schott

A suitably witty homage to one of the best writers of all time. 4/5.

Thank you to Random House UK/Cornerstone for providing me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley.

The blurb:

The Drones club’s in peril. Gussie’s in love. Spode’s on the war-path. Oh, and His Majesty’s Government needs a favour. I say – it’s a good thing Bertie’s back!

One man – and his Gentleman’s Personal Gentleman – valiantly set out to save the Drones, thwart Spode and nobly assist His Majesty’s Government.

From the mean streets of Mayfair to the scheming spires of Cambridge we encounter a joyous cast of characters: chiselling painters and criminal bookies, eccentric philosophers and dodgy clairvoyantes, appalling poets and pocket dictators, vexatious aunts and their vicious hounds.

Replete with a Times crossword, and classic Schottian endnotes, you hold in your hands the most blissfully entertaining means to while away an idle hour.

P.G. Wodehouse has long been a panacea for the woes of the world… have we ever needed a new Jeeves and Wooster more?

My take:

I love P. G. Wodehouse and the Jeeves and Wooster stories in particular. So I was immediately drawn to this new story but also went in with a sizeable concern: could it possibly live up to the beloved Wodehouse originals?

The answer is: nearly. I enjoyed Jeeves and the Leap of Faith very much. To be honest, I think the comic combination of Bertie and Jeeves is indestructible and, as with the originals, the story itself is pretty incidental. All the truly important elements are here: the small sly jokes, the witty turns of phrase, Jeeves’ jaw-dropping ability to always see 10 steps ahead, hideous aunts, preposterous friends…

One new element I liked a lot was the appearance of what seems to be a proper love interest for Bertie. And we know she has real potential because Jeeves seems to approve!

Most importantly, it’s funny. Once I got into the story it raised a lot of smiles and the odd snort.

Finally, fans of cryptic crosswords have the bonus of a series of clues littered throughout the narrative and the full puzzle in the endnotes (I’ve never been any good at them – my brain doesn’t work that way!).

Overall: this homage to Wodehouse successfully emulates the master’s wit and lightness of touch. An amusing diversion and ideal escapist read at the moment.