August 18, 2005
Plum Blogging
Witnit has up a collection of quotes from the Master, some from his stories and some from various non-fictional sources. Here are a couple more snatched (very imperfectly) from memory:
- It was loud in some bits and soft in some bits and, like all violin solos I've ever heard, gave the impression of being longer than it actually was.
- She heaved a sigh, like a sentimental seige-gun.
-"Like a sensitive plant, what?"
"Exactly. You know your Shelley, Bertie."
"Oh, am I?"
- They had the appearance of men who asked for employment but were only offered work.
- She had a laugh like a squad of cavalry charging over an iron bridge.
I note the quote about Psmith. Wodehouse remarked that this great character was based on Rupert d'Oyle Carte, the son of the great Gilbert & Sullivan theatrical collaborator, who was up at University with a cousin of Plum's and had a habit, when asked how he did by a Master, of replying, "Sir, I grow thinnah and thinnah."
Go on over and revel in the quips.
Psmith was based on someone? Really? Thank you, thank you, thank you for that information. How excellent. I had no idea (clearly).
Posted by: RP at August 18, 2005 01:10 PMBy the way, if you Google Rupert's full name, you get only 4 results, two of which are to be found on your blog and the other two of which are useless.
Posted by: RP at August 18, 2005 01:14 PMI think I first read that in Alexander Cockburn's introduction to my copy of The Code of the Woosters, but it was mentioned again in Robert McCrum's recent biography of Wodehouse.
Posted by: Robbo the LB at August 18, 2005 01:30 PMI own neither of those books. A shocking oversight, frankly. I will make a quick stop on the way home today. The way today has been, I could use a little diversion.
Posted by: RP at August 18, 2005 04:47 PMAh. IMHO, Code of the Woosters is just about the best of the Bertie and Jeeves novels. You won't be disappointed.
Posted by: Robert the LB at August 18, 2005 04:54 PMGot caught up last night and had to run for the train. But I'm gonna try again tonight. I just don't think tonight is the night for my book on Renaissance architectural competitions. Need something a bit lighter. You get my email about Westport, by the way?
Posted by: RP at August 19, 2005 02:04 PMNo, didn't see it. The email gnomes must have stolen it. Aaaah!
Posted by: Robbo the LB at August 19, 2005 03:02 PMI'll re-send!
Posted by: RP at August 19, 2005 05:07 PM
