Old things, you've got to read this!

[storyfan.livejournal.com]

A Washington Post review of "Jeeves and the Wedding Bells," the new Jeeves and Bertie novel sanctioned by the Wodehouse estate, is firmly dissed.

Here's the good part: The reviewer says the reader can find better stuff right here on our illustrious comm!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2013/11/05/jeeves-and-the-wedding-bells-is-worse-than-bad-fanfiction/?algtrack=mixedrecfill-2&tid=btm_rex_2

Comments

[caligularib.livejournal.com]

I'll probably be tempted enough to at least start J&WB but I thought the reviewer was extremely insightful as to the need (or lack thereof) of a new book to repopularize Wodehouse, the reasons other authors start filling in the gaps in canon and why Wodehouse's formula works so brilliantly over and over and over again.

l love the part where she points out that the new author basically writes a Mary Sue, which even the youngest, most inexperienced fanfic writer is usually astute enough to stay away from.

[electricwitch.livejournal.com]

Rather flattering and intelligent, I think.

[who_la_hoop]

It got a rather better review in the Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/nov/06/jeeves-wedding-bells-sebastian-faulks-review I may read it at some point, although I may skip to the end first - if Bertie really *does* get married then Faulks has entirely missed the point of the books, really.

[caligularib.livejournal.com]

You're right Hoop, if Bertie gets married Faulks has missed the point entirely. It also just occurred to me that as far as Mary Sues with chocolate brown eyes go, apparently being ten times prettier than any other girl Bertie has ever met- Wodehouse describes a good number of Bertie's ladyfriends as being extremely pretty. Florence Craye, Madeline Bassett and Pauline Stoker are all supposed to be knockouts, they just happen to have some severe defect (overbearing personality, simpering insipidness or a really mean American millionaire dad) that wouldn't suit Bertie at all. It's not like Bertie's never met a beautiful girl before.

[ryntha-doghare.livejournal.com]

Lovely compliment for the community and, if the reviewer is anywhere near half-right about the new book, I'm going to steer clear of it for now. I didn't take very well to someone writing another book for the Hitchhiker's series either, so I'm one of "those" readers...

[margi-lynn.livejournal.com]

Considering the review in the Guardian makes the same exact point as the Post, only meant kindly, I think I can pass on the book.

I realize that Wodehouse's style is hard! But that's no reason to purposely aim short of the mark and call it "a nice tribute." Really now?

And I do remember hearing about the book ages ago and at the time, the big news about it was that Bertie gets married. I don't know if that's still true, things can and do change in the editing, but suspect not. :(

[hazeltea.livejournal.com]

I was somewhat looking forward to this. I'll still read it, but with lower expectations. Thanks for the link!

[schreckschraube.livejournal.com]

Whoo-hoo! Not only does that guy appreciate this group, he also knows that public-sanctioned fanfiction is fanfiction too! Faith in mankind restored.

[rokikurama.livejournal.com]

My thoughts too!

[managerie.livejournal.com]

I am squeeing!!!