Jill the Reckless (by PG Wodehouse)

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I have enjoyed reading PG Wodehouse’s humorous novels for over forty years, off and on . My favourites are the best-known ‘Jeeves and Wooster’ series, but I have liked most of the others that I have read too. A few years ago I was delighted to discover several of his out-of-copyright novels available free at Project Gutenberg. I downloaded quite a few, and have just finished reading ‘Jill the Reckless’.

Wodehouse has created an excellent heroine in the independent and wealthy Jill Mariner. When we first meet her, she is engaged to be married to Derek Underhill, who is a rather serious MP. It seems a somewhat unbalanced match; Jill tends to flippancy and spontaneity, while Derek likes structure, and predictability, and a peaceful life.

Derek is staying with their mutual friend Freddie and is a little concerned as his formidable mother is about to pay him a visit. She has not yet met Jill, and wants to get to know her. Lady Underhill is a snob and wants her son to marry someone from the upper echelon… and the first meeting does not go well.

Jill is resourceful and kind-hearted; she makes friends easily from all walks of life, and will chat with the servants as much as with her social equals. I liked Jill from the start; unlike many of Wodehouse’s characters, she is not a caricature or a stereotype. This is perhaps surprising because she was brought up by her uncle, who is a total stereotype of a high risk-taking salesman. He is clearly very fond of Jill, but that’s about his only redeeming feature.

The story encompasses New York as well as London, and much of it revolves around a show in which Jill is involved after disaster strikes. The way she deals with her difficulties is possibly a little too good to be true, but by this stage of the book I was rooting for her, and could believe her capable of anything.

We’re kept guessing until near the end of the book how Jill’s life is going to turn out. There are inevitable misunderstandings and complications until the entirely satisfactory resolution.

‘Jill the Reckless’ is a thoroughly enjoyable read - and having finished it, I feel the word ‘Reckless’ is a bit unfortunate. Perhaps the meaning has changed since the book was published almost 100 years ago. While Jill is undoubtedly impetuous and impulsive, she certainly isn’t thoughtless or careless.

It made an excellent book to read on my Kindle in odd moments while away from home. Highly recommended to fans of Wodehouse, or anyone who would like to try one of his lesser-known books.

There are many editions of this book available in print or Kindle form, or it can be downloaded free in various electronic versions from Project Gutenberg.

Review copyright 2019 Sue's Book Reviews