Has anybody else remarked on the similarities between Wodehouse and Joyce? Joyce was trapped in 1904 and never went back to Ireland. Both erected style above content. In fact style BECAME content. Aswith Flaubert but let's leave that alone because the guy was French. Frankly I think Wodehouse's achievement the greater. But I CAN see there might be another view. Held by the great Anthony Burgess for instance. But Evelyn Waugh would be of my opinion. Wodehouse's tenacity about royalties should make him the hero of all writers everywhere.
And Wodehouse was not quite as innocent as some think. His treatment of Lord Emsworth is not entirely forgiving. And Bertie's description of the black shorts' leader Spode is worth looking up.
|