Service with a Smile

Blandings Castle #9

by P.G. Wodehouse

Frederick, the 5th Earl of Ickenham, foils a plot to steal the Empress of Blandings, a prize-winning pig, from Lord Emsworth.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Classics, Comedy, Audiobook, British Literature, Novels

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Sir Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, KBE, was a comic writer who enjoyed enormous popular success during a career of more than seventy years and continues to be widely read over 40 years after his death. Despite the political and social upheavals that occurred during his life, much of which was spent in France and the United States, Wodehouse's main canvas remained that of prewar English upper-class society, reflecting his birth, education, and youthful writing career.

An acknowledged master of English prose, Wodehouse has been admired both by contemporaries such as Hilaire Belloc, Evelyn Waugh and Rudyard Kipling and by more recent writers such as Douglas Adams, Salman Rushdie and Terry Pratchett. Sean O'Casey famously called him "English literature's performing flea", a description that Wodehouse used as the title of a collection of his letters to a friend, Bill Townend.

Best known today for the Jeeves and Blandings Castle novels and short stories, Wodehouse was also a talented playwright and lyricist who was part author and writer of fifteen plays and of 250 lyrics for some thirty musical comedies. He worked with Cole Porter on the musical Anything Goes (1934) and frequently collaborated with Jerome Kern and Guy Bolton. He wrote the lyrics for the hit song Bill in Kern's Show Boat (1927), wrote the lyrics for the Gershwin/Romberg musical Rosalie (1928), and collaborated with Rudolf Friml on a musical version of The Three Musketeers (1928).

Reviews

[Dan Schwent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Bailey's attempted marriage to Myra Schoonmaker doesn't go as planned and Myra is whisked away to Blandings Castle to prevent her from marrying him, a penniless curate. Meanwhile, the Duke of Dunstable's son has his eyes on Myra and the Duke himself wants to steal the Empress of Blandings and sell her to Lord Tilbury. Fortunately, Uncle Fred takes Bailey to Blandings under an alias and goes about spreading happiness and light as only he can...

Throwing Uncle Fred into the Blandings Castle is like throwing torches at an oil soaked Transylvanian house. Uncle Fred weaves an elaborate tapestry of lies, much like in his previous visit to Blandings, Uncle Fred in the Springtime. By the end of the story, the Duke gets what's coming to him and three couples are re-united.

Wodehouse fans, this is not one to be missed! All of the Blandings crew are in top form, as is the incomparable Uncle Fred.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duke sat up. This time he did not neglect to puff at his moustache. It floated up like a waterfall going the wrong way.

I don't know how PGW recycles the same plots - separated lovers, imposters, someone stealing the Empress - and yet keeps each book feeling fresh and comically vibrant - that's his genius.

Here the standout character is the dastardly Duke of Dunstable who is out-plotted by Uncle Fred. The second half largely forgets about Lord Em and the boy scouts but does deliver a master class in manipulative string pulling. And it's nice to see that Lavender Briggs breaks the mould of wanting money to marry a poor man: she wants the capital to set up a secretarial service instead.

As sunny, funny and good-natured as all the Blandings books ❤️

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Wodehouse winner!

Unlike such renowned British writers as Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward, P.G. Wodehouse apparently never felt the urge to branch out from comedy. He didn't feel compelled to exercise that part of his brain that would balance laughs with drama. 

Of course, there's always drama of a sort in a Wodehouse story. His tales overflow with conflict - but always, as the title here suggests, in the service of an ultimate smile or two... or three.. 

'SWAS' is fuel-engined by Uncle Fred (5th Earl of Ickenham), an effervescent bonbon of a character, described elsewhere by yours truly as a male Auntie Mame (with a dash of Katherine Hepburn's character in 'Bringing Up Baby'). Fred personifies 'madcap', though his sharp wits are always very much with him. 

He lives to surround himself with walking scenarios of good cheer... even if he must occasionally stoop to devious means to achieve his purpose for the world. ~ which is to say, he's not above what are called 'little white lies', if it's for The Higher Good (as he sees it):

"I always strive, when I can, to spread sweetness and light. There have been several complaints about it."

As is all-too-common with P.G., this entry involves a couple of tossed couples trying to match themselves up appropriately, against the odds.

~ all of which is wrapped around the unsettling business of the attempted theft of Clarence Threepwood, 9th Earl Emsworth's prize pig (Empress of Blandings).. 

Utter deception and blackmail become swift-footed elements, largely by way of Lavender Briggs, Clarence's lugubrious (and disliked) secretary, described as having "a rather gruesome charm" - but that's being polite... and that's also being Uncle Fred. Unusual for Wodehouse, Lavender is a particularly dark addition to the cast. She also bear-hugs affectation; she's the type who says "Quate." instead of "Quite."

With this novel, the author shows himself to be on particularly solid ground, and the seemingly effortless construct begins in ripping fashion on page one, gleaming like the polish of a fresh shoeshine.

The language, as always, is P.G.s way of again reinventing himself. The way he thinks of words is rather like the way Fred Astaire thought about dance steps; verbally, he never seems to tread on ground he has danced on before.

[Jason Koivu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lord Ickenham (aka Uncle Fred) is an incurable optimist. In Service with a Smile he's off to Blandings Castle again to spread his form of irrepressible cheer on the inhabitants. Stifled love is in the air and Uncle Fred's the man to clear it!

A prize winning pig doted upon by its doddering owner, an underhanded and ambitious secretary, a cantankerous brute of a Duke, love-lorn young folk, a camera-weilding boy with a voice like an electric razor, a beefy boxing curate, and more fill the pages with hilarity, but it's Lord Ickenham who grabs the limelight every time. Plotting with and against his acquaintances for the good of all (well, mostly all) is his bread and butter. He's the sort of fellow who doesn't think it's sporting unless you enter your host's house under an assumed name.

This is not Wodehouse's most tightly wound manuscript, a few long dialogue-ful scenes of exposition are required to make it work. However, Ickenham's scheming provides enough unexpected twists to keep you entertained, as one comes to expect from a steady reading of Wodehouse's stock story lines.

RATING: A very strong 3.5 stars!

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My latest reread was in July 2024 having first read this in 2020. It doesn't matter how often I read, or reread these books, it's always a pleasure to dip back into the world of P.G. Wodehouse.

Service With a Smile (1961) is the final Uncle Fred novel and the 10th Blandings Castle novel. Needless to say the plot bore a remarkable similarity to numerous other PGW books and was all the better for it. The only blot on the landscape was that, after this one, PGW's loyal legion of fans were to get no more Uncle Fred. For his finale, Uncle Fred is in fine form and the conclusion is a Machiavellian masterclass.

All the Blandings regulars are here and, along with the eternally sunny Uncle Fred we also have the joy of the irrascible Duke of Dunstable.

All in all this another Wodehouseian delight.

4/5



Service With a Smile

With the Duke of Dunstable trying to steal his pig to sell to Lord Tilbury, mischievous Church Lads camping in his park, his sister Constance bossing him unmercifully, and Lavender Briggs, his secretary, making life miserable, Lord Emsworth has little time to concentrate on the invasion of Blandings Castle by yet another impostor. But Bill Bailey, a.k.a. Cuthbert Meriwether, has inveigled himself into the castle to be with his beloved, Myra Schoonmaker, who is staying there under the eagle eye of Lady Constance, and Lady Constance is determined to thwart him.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, for fifth Earl of Ickenham spreads sweetness and light. A visit to Blanding Castle where Uncle Fred comes to the assistance of Clarence Elmsworth and the Empress. His horrible secretary Lavender Briggs and his pig man George Cyril Wellbeloved are hatching pignapping plans.

The odious Duke of Dunstable is staying, Connie is preventing true love between Myra and Bill Bailey a penniless curate. There is also need of a £1000 for an investment in an onion soup cafe. Schoonmaker the millionaire father of Myra also has to find the courage to propose to Connie.

This story follows similar ones but still will bring a smile and occasional guffaw and laughter around Ickenham’s machinations from his hammock. The wordplay is a joy to behold.

Just read it again and thoroughly enjoyed it. Love the line ‘All spooked with zip and vinegar’. Elmsworth gets the Empress back and the Duke of Dunstable is foiled again.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

P.G. Wodehouse never disappoints! Uncle Fred might surpass my love even for Bertie's Aunt Dahlia, and I thought no one as delightful as her had ever come from his pen. Oh well.

As always, the intrepid Uncle Fred had me thoroughly entertained from the very first page. The books are just a delight to lose yourself in, and they never disappoint!

In this one, Uncle Fred is once more needed to spread sweetness and light (with a smile, of course) and is called on to untangle a rather large number of messes the inhabitants and guests of his friend Lord Emsworth's ancestral home have gotten themselves in. This time he has to foil a pig-napping, prevent a bit of blackmail here and there, help three sets of unfortunate lovers to the altar with the right person, and solve any number of bothersome little things that just so happen wherever he goes in his incomparable way.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't too many books or authors which guarantee laugh-out-loud, but I have never known something set at Blandings Castle or written by Mr. Wodehouse to fail. If I live long enough, I want to go back and reread these in order because I have enjoyed each immensely, though some I have read, some listened to, and not in any particular order.

There is potty Lord Emsworth, his pig, the Empress of Blandings—who he adores, and everyone is trying to steal—his stuck-up sister, Lady Constance Keeble who tries to maintain some semblance of order at the castle and over her brother, his children and grandchildren. Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, Fifth Earl of Ickenham, better known as Uncle Fred, comes back “to spread sweetness and light” bringing with him another ‘imposter’ to help out Myra, the daughter of an old friend, Jimmy, from America and further erode his already difficult relations with Lady Constance or ‘Connie’ as he calls her much to her chagrin. A number of other old and new characters add further confusion and charm to the story including: the ill-tempered, partially deaf Duke of Dunstable, Bill Bailey, a scrupulous curate in love with Myra, the nephew of the Duke, Archibald who gets himself engaged to two women at the same time, Lavendar Briggs, Lord Emsworth’s much-disliked new secretary, and a mischievous group of church boys who won’t leave.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for this audiobook edition, narrated by Martin Jarvis. While I still have a slight preference to hear my Wodehouse narrated by Jonathan Cecil, Jarvis did an excellent job with this 9th entry in the Blandings Castle series.

This one not only had Lord Emsworth & his pig but also Uncle Fred -- a delightful combination!

[Elisha Condie · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Wodehouse's novels about Blandings Castle, another one of those wonderful country estates filled with crabby gentlemen, mixed up engagements and calm, cool butlers.
My favorite character is described like this. I wish this was a description of me, actually. I love it:
"Of Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, fifth Earl of Ickenham, a thoughtful critic had once said that in the late afternoon of his life he retained, together with a juvenile waistline, the bright enthusiasms and fresh, unspoiled outlook of a slightly inebriated undergraduate..."
What I love about Wodehouse's world is that the rich uptight guy always gets it somehow in the eye, the young lovers have a silly fight and yet end up together, and the butler often comes off a few pounds ahead of when he started. If only real life were like that.

[Peter Krol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best Wodehouse I've read. Still pretty fun, though. Favorite quote:

"Have you ever been engaged to two girls at the same time?"
"Not to my recollection. Nor, now I come to think of it, do I know of anyone who has, except of course King Solomon and the late Brigham Young."
"Well, that's what I am."
"You? Engaged to two girls? Half a second, let me work this out."
There was a pause, during which Lord Ickenham seemed to be doing sums in his head.
"No," he said at length. "I don't get it. I am aware that you are betrothed to my little friend Myra Schoonmaker, but however often I tot up the score, that only makes one. You're sure you haven't slipped up somewhere in your figures?"
Archie Gilpin's eye rolled in a fine frenzy.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really feel for Lord Emsworth! All he wants is to be left alone, to sit in his study or take strolls down to the pen to see his prize pig, The Empress of Blandings. But he is sadly surrounded by loud, annoying people who never seem to leave him in peace! Enter Uncle Fred, who manages in his roundabout, rather harebrained way, to get everything settled!

[Tori Whitacre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud.

[Ian Laird · Rating 2 out of 5]

PG Wodehouse is so highly regarded by many readers that there must be something to him.

But having read only two, Dr Sally and this one Service with a Smile, I find myself thinking these stories are enjoyable, well written, contain some amusing lines and pass the time amiably enough. Other people see much more. I may have to delve further and find out what draws such devotion from others.

This is in part, a pig story. Lord Ickenham (Uncle Fred), with ‘Cuthbert’ (really Bill Bailey) in tow, goes to Blandings Castle, presided over by Lady Constance who provides guidance to her brother Clarence, Lord Emsworth, whose singular focus is directed towards the wellbeing and comfort of the Empress, an enormous prize-winning sow, in turn the object of nefarious criminal designs by among others, the Duke of Dunstable, conspicuously lacking in social skills, who spends his time in stately homes, usually uninvited. Dunstable’s potential buyer is Lord Tilbury, a crass newspaper magnate.

Another of Lady Constance’s guests is Myra, the daughter of Lady Constance’s American friend James Schoonmaker. Myra is in love with Bill Bailey, but their togetherness is being thwarted by Lady Constance, who in turn is enamoured of Myra’s father. There are boundless sub plots, involving the ambitious and snobby secretary Lavender, small ratty boys camping on the estate and Lord Dunstable’s nephew who finds himself much too engaged for complete happiness. Lord Ickenham sorts all this out, ingeniously enough.

What strikes me forcefully is that this story is set comfortably among the nobility who, if not necessarily the idle rich, certainly have a lot of time for their avocational activities, which of course gives Lord Ickenham the time and opportunity to set straight the course of matters romantic, bucolic and financial. The setting and milieu also belong to a time long ago and probably never existed exactly in the way Wodehouse sets out, but that is not the point. This is an entertainment, a gentle and amusing farce where the bad mannered and venal people are out witted by the gracious and attractive. Quite satisfying on that level.

[Brian E Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 9th in the Blandings Castle series and was surprisingly high quality for one written in 1962, so late in P.G.’s career. The plot involves the typical several romances, the usual imposter, and a scheme for the theft of Lord Emsworth’s prize pig, the Empress. Lord Emsworth is his usual dotty self and, though the owner of Blandings, is a character often in need of another smarter fellow to play lead in the exercises. Sometimes it’s his brother Galahad. This time, that role is filled by Lord Ickenham, affectionately known as Uncle Fred, because – why who else is better equipped to provide service with a smile.
As usual, Uncle Fred’s presence is a quite welcome addition to the story. A special treat is that Lord E.’s dominating sister, Lady Constance, is herself involved in one of the characteristic romances. Once again, a great time at Blandings was had by all – or at least by me. A 4+ star read.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lord Ickenham whistled softly. Never a dull moment at Blandings Castle, he was thinking." Indeed. Lots of fun hi-jinks and hilarity once again at Blandings. One of the best things about Wodehouse books is the character names. In this one we have: Lavender Briggs, George Cyril Wellbeloved, Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, and one of my favorites, Pongo Twistleton.

[Althea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read Wodehouse regularly just to cheer myself up...

[Mariangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best Uncle Fred novel, but it had several laugh out loud phrases, like

“He was far from popular, his standing among his neighbours being roughly that of a shark at a bathing resort.”

“‘Have you seen him lately?’
‘Alas, not for many years. He has this unfortunate habit so many Americans have of living in America.’
Lady Constance sighed. She, too, had deplored this whim.”

“Lord Tilbury had wealth and power and the comforting knowledge that, catering as he did for readers who had all mentally arrested at the age of twelve, he would continue to enjoy these indefinitely.“

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor Lord Emsworth is beset with problems: he has a new horrid secretary Miss Biggs who makes Baxter look nice; the castle grounds are full of camping boys causing noise and mischief and the Duke of Dunstable has invited himself to Blandings and still thinks the Empress is making Lord Emsworth potty. The Duke has a buyer interested in the Empress and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get his hands on that money and rid Lord Emsworth of his problem. There's the usual pair of star-crossed lovers, this time Myra Schoonmaker (the real one this time) and her penniless suitor plus the third party in the love triangle, Archie Gillpin (brother of Ricky, nephew of the Duke). Fred, the Earl of Ickenham discovers his friends' problems and aims to deliver service with a smile. In order to do that he has to use some underhanded methods to make things come out right.

This book was too long on thwarted lovers and too light on pigs. It lacked a serious screwball scene and a glorious scene with the Empress that made some of the earlier books so delightful. I'm tired of the star-crossed lovers. They're all the same. There's nothing to distinguish this pair from any other pair. Their circumstances are the same, even if the details are different. There is an unexpected plot twist I didn't see coming.

I still don't like Fred. He's not like Gally, he's much crazier. I don't like how he lies and manipulates people into doing what he wants, even if it is for good. His nephew Pongo was smart to stay out of it this time. It's amazing Lady Constance didn't press charges. The new secretary is unlikeable and supposed to be. I wanted to like her because she's a strong female character. She knows what she wants and goes after it, but her methods are devious and she's a frightful snob. Another new character is Emsworth's grandson George. He's an annoying little kid who thinks adults are his friends and the more they rebuff him, the more he clings to them. (Much like my oldest niece). He's a minor character but has an important role in the story. I found he complicated things unnecessarily.

[Perry Whitford · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ninth Earl of Emsworth is like a man besieged at Blandings Castle.

As if it wasn't bad enough having to share his pad on a permanent basis with his bossy sister Lady Constance Keeble, he now has to share it with the most ruthlessly efficient secretary ever to darken his door, the rigidly prim Miss Lavender Briggs, as well as the noisy and spirited boys of the Church Lads' Brigade.

And then there's the interminable presence of the Duke of Dunstable, a bellowing and unmannered blister in a walrus mustache convinced that the absent-minded earl was in fact 'potty', and whose continued residence at Blandings had the popularity 'of a shark at a bathing resort'.

Even having the pretty young daughter of a rich American friend, Myra Schoonmaker, grace the halls and massuages of his estate for a season wasn't helping to lift the gloom, for some misfortune in love had given her eyes 'something of the sadness one sees in those of a dachshund which, coming to the dinner table to get its ten percent, is refused a cut off the joint.'

What he needs are the services of Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, fifth earl of Ickenham, 'Uncle Fred', that aged but spry dispenser of sweetness and light. And so he comes to Blandings again, squarely as himself this time around, though he can't resist taking along at least one impostor with him for the ride.

I don't think I give much away by letting on that the Empress of Blanding's liberty is again placed at stake, hearts are expertly de-sundered and the addle-headed Emsworth makes an ass of himself.

A joy.

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I am down in the dumps, or merely feeling blue, it's always a Wodehouse book that I pick up. Gives me a serious case of the chuckles, it does! The plot of this one has so many twists and turns that you wonder if everyone is going to be happy at the end (wait a minute, you know they will be, but how is the question). And with every single time that I pick up one of Wodehouse's creations, my respect and fondness for him increases. Seriously a genius with his words. I can never forget the delight that I experienced when i first started on a Wodehouse in my mid 20s, I told my sister with great surprise, "This is hilarious!" and she smiled knowingly, having been a devout Wodehouseian since the 15 years at least. This isn't quite a book review, I know, but my feelings after reading the book, so there! This marks my 77th book this year, and by Golly, hopefully not my last by Wodehouse! (I shall happily reread them once I have read them all!)

[Abhijeet Borkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What ho what ho!

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENGLISH: This is the first time I've read this book, fourth and last in the series about Uncle Fred (Lord Ickenham). I have liked it less than other novels in the series about Lord Ickenham, or the series about Blandings Castle, as this book belongs to both. The absence of Pongo Twisleton makes the plot less interesting. The supporting characters are a bit flat, and the way Ickenham solves their problems is more cynical than usual.

Just one hilarious quote from this book: "Oh, hullo, Uncle Fred... I thought you were someone else." "Rest assured that I am not."

ESPAÑOL: Esta es la primera vez que leo este libro, cuarto y último de la serie sobre el tío Fred (Lord Ickenham). Me ha gustado menos que otras novelas de las series de Lord Ickenham y el Castillo de Blandings, pues este libro pertenece a las dos. La ausencia de Pongo Twisleton le quita algo de interés a la trama. Los personajes secundarios son un poco planos, y la forma en que Ickenham resuelve sus problemas más cínica de lo usual.

Veamos una cita divertida de este libro: "Hola, tío Fred... Pensé que eras otra persona." "Puedes estar seguro de que no lo soy."

[Ty-Orion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Четеше ми се нещо по-забавно и затова посегнах към тази книга. За съжаление Удхаус доста се повтаря в сюжетите и ако си прочел повече негови произведения, започва да поомръзва на читателя. Формулата е една и съща: годежи, разваляне на годежи, двойни и тройни годежи от инат, младежи от различни социални групи, милионери се влюбват в безпарични, комедия от недоразумения, Джийвс-оподобни герои, аристократи-кретени... На места имаше забавни сравнения, но нещо книгата не увлича.

[proxyfish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enter the Duke of Dunstable:

“Hoy!”

The monosyllable, uttered in her immediate rear in a tone of voice usually confined to the hog-calling industry of western America, made Lady Constance leap like a rising trout. But she was a hostess. Concealing her annoyance, not that that was necessary, for her visitor since early boyhood had never noticed when he was annoying anyone, she laid down her pen and achieved a reasonably bright smile.

The Duke is the best of the worst, maybe in all of Wodehouse. Luckily, there’s Uncle Fred. Ah, sunny Blandings Castle. Yay!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gem from Wodehouse. I actually feel sorry for people who don't get him. He is a true wordsmith. He makes me smile, chuckle and even laugh out loud. He always amazes me with his dialogue.

A perfect prescription when life gets you down.

[Steven R. Kraaijeveld · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There is always apt to be that trouble when you start spreading sweetness and light. You find there isn't enough to go around and someone has to be left out of the distribution. Very difficult to get a full hand." (207)

[F.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

More an Uncle Fred novel, with the Blandings troop in support, but still a great deal of fun.

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 3 out of 5]

One really doesn't need to write a review for every Wodehouse title, does one? Just a slight variation in rating conveys the pertinent information—whether one thought it was amongst his best or just in the pleasant average.