I developed a sudden case of productivity on Friday, and went and obtained a library card in Oxford. Unlike many things in a foreign country, getting a library card was desultorily easy; I didn't even have to provide proof of residence in Oxfordshire, unlike the Provo library, where I needed two letters addressed to me in my home in Provo for a card. Being that the library was confusing to me, in namely that I couldn't find the fiction section except for a small thing attached to the large nonfiction room, which consisted mainly of books in foreign languages like Urdu, I didn't really have much of a choice of book to check out.
However, they did have a whole shelf of PG Wodehouse, and so in memory of Matt (it sound like I'm about to go on with, 'the dearly departed') I checked out three Jeeves and Wooster books, although it turns out one book is actually only about golf, with no trace of Jeeves or Wooster. (It turned out to be a good thing that I only checked out a few books {I also got some children's books} because the library doesn't have any plastic bags, and I only had my purse, so I had nowhere to put the books. Lydia, who was late for lunch and her nap threw an holy tantrum when I tried to put her in her stroller, so I ended up putting the books in the stroller and carrying my hysterical daughter the three blocks to the minibus stop for the Manor while pushing said stroller as well. I felt like a walking ad for not having children, being the ladies that you wince as they come by with their hellion children).
Regardless, I've read both Jeeves books, and enjoyed them very much. In case Matt reads this, I read Thank You, Jeeves, and Stiff Upper Life, Jeeves. I've decided to focus on British books while over here, and this was a very nice introduction. Also, it was just nice to have something to read after having nothing for a month. I like Berty, and I also like trying to get all of his half remembered literary references (I'm afraid I'm less educated than even Berty in this). And it's nice to read books about people in England, because then I can be like, "Hey, I'm here too," although my life patently has nothing to do with anything that Berty's life comes into contact with. Berty is already a confirmed bachelor, and the sight of Lydia without food and a nap would not only cause him to continue to rejoice in this, but to eschew the very sight and presence of myself and daughter.
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Peppermint Bark Fudge
5 days ago
I laughed again. Was awed at your vocabulary (desultorily). I barely know what it means and I don't think I've ever actually used it. I'm glad you found some books but it there books and references I am totally unacquainted with. I love to read your posts. thanks for keeping them coming.
ReplyDeleteHee. The Golf stories. Wodehouse makes fun of A.A. Milne in one of those. There was an unfortunate incident in the War that ended up with Wodehouse a prisoner of the Germans, making broadcasts from Berlin. Milne accused Wodehouse of treason, and, hilarity ensued.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Orwell wrote an Essay in Wodehouse's defense, and after the war, Wodehouse moved to the States.
Later, Wodehouse made fun of Milne's writing, and even made him a foolish character in one of his Golf stories: "Rodney Has a Relapse", where Rodney (Milne) stops writing detective stories to write sappy children's stories about his son 'Timothy Bobbin'.
Funny stuff.
- Matt
I read the golf book I had last night (The Heart of a Goof), and although I don't even like golf, nay, even the very thought of it makes me want to yawn, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. In my book Rodney only got to the point of playing golf with an 18 point handicap; he hadn't yet reformed to that point. I wondered why he moved to the states; I even felt disappointed in him; anyone could move to the states, but how many people get to be British? You have helped resolve these feelings of resentment, so thank you.
ReplyDelete