pagesofjulia

Thanks to Katy at A Few More Pages for hosting this meme. To participate, share the first line or two of the book you are currently reading and, if you feel so moved, let us know what your first impressions were based on that first line.

Today we’re back with Wodehouse, in my first departure from his Jeeves novels. I was feeling in need of some comfort food, and as Simon recently said, Wodehouse is like ice cream: perhaps not commendable for daily fare but oh so good when a person needs something sweet and rich.

My expectations are being met so far: the first several pages had me in stitches, unable to choose my favorite lines to quote. Of course, today’s exercise mandates the first lines, thereby relieving me of that decision. I have taken the liberty of quoting a longer passage than is customary because these were too good to miss:

At the open window of the great library of Blandings Castle, drooping like a wet sock, as was his habit when he had nothing to prop his spine against, the Earl of Emsworth, that amiable and boneheaded peer, stood gazing out over his domain.

It was a lovely morning and the air was fragrant with gentle summer scents. Yet in his lordship’s pale blue eyes there was a look of melancholy. His brown was furrowed, his mouth peevish. And this was all the more strange in that he was normally as happy as only a fluffy-minded man with excellent health and a large income can be.

You see what I mean? “Amiable and boneheaded” and still more, “fluffy-minded.” Not to be missed! I love the characterization in these opening lines of the Earl of Emsworth: likeable, but (at best) spacey. Wodehouse continues his streak, as far as I’m concerned.

What are you reading this weekend?

Filed under: book beginnings | Tagged: humor |