Do Butlers Burgle Banks? (Everyman's Library P G WODEHOUSE)

“So true it is that in this life we never know what may be waiting for us around the next corner.” This is one of those old favourite PGW books that I pull out of the shelves to read regularly. The story does not involve the most well-known characters of PGW Jeeves, Wooster, or indeed any of the Blandings Castle crowd but is nonethless peopled with well-drawn and well-rounded characters who are involved in a cracking tale. Bond’s Bank, a privately owned bank (this book was first published in 1968) in the town of Wellingford has recently been inherited by Mike Bond after the death of his Uncle Hugo. He seems preoccupied lately, or so his girlfriend and secretary come to believe. Horace Appleby, mastermind of a small but select gang of thieves is about to go and spend a bit of his free time at the Wellingford Races. Charlie Yost believes Horace owes him money from their last job and is going to find him to get it. And in Wellingford, Police Superintendent Jessop is about to be visited for a holiday by his brother-in-law Sergeant Claude Potter who always makes him feel inferior with his Scotland Yard manners. Of course, there are trials and tribulations for all concerned, and mix-ups and confusion will reign freely for a while before the master of comic novels, P G Wodehouse gets it all sorted in the end. Definitely recommend for a good read, a jolly good story, and loads of chuckles.

Do 'Butlers Burgle Banks' is not the most popular of Wodehouse's works and is often left out of lists of his books. But, for those who do know of it, it is a real delight. This butler is a crook who, by answering advertisements for staff, becomes the 'inside man' behind many burglaries. He's the leader and the brains of a gang, and the fact that he looks,speaks and behaves so much like an upper servant is a great asset. Some readers have said that the end of the book is something of a damp sqib. But by then Horace has used his criminal talents to get his young master out of a jam, plans to settle down to respectable married life with one of the female characters and, as his former employer says, "You can't keep on callng me sir".

Although there is quite a lot of competition. The title pretty much gives the story away, two young people 'crossed in love' and yet another of Wodehouse's incredibly competent factotums, this time with a bit of a past and of course, a kind heart. Some editions of books are really nice and for me this small hardback edition is pretty nearly perfect. I may buy more.

I take issue with the previous reviewer - past his best?!! My husband and I are great Wodehouse fans and have read dozens of his books. This one is another real delight. Loveable characters, lots of mix-ups, happy ending and, of course, beautifully written.

One cannot help admiring the novel's plot, which manages to be at once tight and inventive in a surreally silly way. (A girl gets locked up in a safe, a butler stages an 'audit' at the bank which he and his gang are burgling and thus contrives to throw the police off the scent, one of the burglars finds religion just when his services are most needed, etc. etc.) Most chapters end with an effective twist or on a cliff-hanger and only the novel's conclusion fails to satisfy completely. Some of the jokes may feel a bit tired or dated, but most of the dialogue is amusing in its drollery. There is something very endearing about the whole thing. NB Wodehouse was in his late 80s when he wrote Do Butlers Burgle Banks?

Horace Appleby is the head of the `Appleby gang' whom eek out a living by Horace gaining employment as the butler in England's foremost country houses to be the inside man and point out all of the best jewels and tapestry's and such like for the remainder of the gang. His latest post at Mallow Hall is the country seat of Michael Bond whom is also the chairman of Bond's Bank as Horace intends to diversify into bank robbery. Further complications arise in that Horace has proposed to Bank secretary Ada and Michael is courting his Aunt's nurse Jill. Oh and also the Bank is on the verge of bankruptcy and doesn't actually have any money, an attempted robbery would be the only way to clear the debt. Wodehouse is clearly past his best here but un-like Horace he nearly pulls it off.

Il libro era stato definito in ottime condizioni. Non lo è. A parte l'ingiallimento dei bordi (perdonabile), in alcune pagine ci sono anche macchie evidenti: a volte bianche e piccole ma, in un caso, piuttosto grande e scura, verso e recto (forse causata da un liquido rovesciato, per esempio tè). Il difetto andava segnalato.Se ne fossi stata informata, non avrei effettuato l'acquisto. La spedizione è avvenuta correttamente, buoni l'imballaggio e i tempi di consegna.

Have not yet finished reading it but interesting.

The subject of this review says it all, really. Definitely worth reading, if you have never read a Wodehouse novel, or are reading one after a while...