- Paperback: 208 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (26 Mar 1992)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140124519
- ISBN-13: 978-0140124514
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 859,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Terry and Jo Trent fly from the chicken farm in Bensonburg to the fleshpost of France, where even the eagle eye of elder sister Kate cannot prevent muddle, mismatch, and mayhem.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A REVIEW OF 'FRENCH LEAVE' BY P.G. WODEHOUSE
'French Leave' is one of the more obscure novels in the P.G. Wodehouse canon. Indeed, it is notoriously tricky finding a copy these days. Written in 1955, it contains none of his established characters (not a Wooster, Emsworth, Ukridge or Psmith in sight), nor is it set in his more familiar territory of rural England, bustling London or sunny Hollywood. As such it is something of an oddity from the pen of such a prolific writer, albeit an enjoyable one.
The principal story revolves around various misunderstandings and schemes in the France resort of St. Rocque, where real millionaires mix with pretend millionaires and genuine (but penniless) aristocrats talk on level terms with yacht-owning sparkling water magnates. The inter-linking of characters has all the makings of a typical weekend at Blandings Castle. Among the convoluted twists-and-turns, we follow the fortunes of a young American girl, Terry (short for Teresa) and her search for a rich husband, which leads her to the door of titled-but-poor, Jeff. There are some fine comic moments along the road towards true love, most of which occur one fateful night in the Hotel Magnifique, and which see a conniving chief-of-police on the receiving end of a black eye (a "marron" in Wodehouse speak), and more on-off engagements than you could expect from the complete works of Jane Austin! These scenes play like a fine stage farce, and it is not difficult to imagine doors of a set opening and closing as characters enter and exit the scene with perfect comic timing.
However, 'French Leave' perhaps lacks the warmth of the very best of Wodehouse's books. The intricate plotting does much to cover up the fact that none of the protagonists here have the genuine likeability of his most popular characters. Indeed, this reviewer found the shenanigans of the irresponsible Old Nick (Marquis de Maufringneuse) rather trying, given that he came across as a rather inferior and rather underhand Galahad Threepwood. Likewise, the blending of French and English-speaking characters is a little awkward, and not enough is made of attempts by one side to speak the other's language to comic effect.
Nevertheless, 'French Leave' is thoroughly-enjoyable fluff, the perfect fare for a holiday reading in the sun. This may not be 5 star luxury Wodehouse, but it certainly provides comfortable accommodation for an amusing break.
'French Leave' is one of the more obscure novels in the P.G. Wodehouse canon. Indeed, it is notoriously tricky finding a copy these days. Written in 1955, it contains none of his established characters (not a Wooster, Emsworth, Ukridge or Psmith in sight), nor is it set in his more familiar territory of rural England, bustling London or sunny Hollywood. As such it is something of an oddity from the pen of such a prolific writer, albeit an enjoyable one.
The principal story revolves around various misunderstandings and schemes in the France resort of St. Rocque, where real millionaires mix with pretend millionaires and genuine (but penniless) aristocrats talk on level terms with yacht-owning sparkling water magnates. The inter-linking of characters has all the makings of a typical weekend at Blandings Castle. Among the convoluted twists-and-turns, we follow the fortunes of a young American girl, Terry (short for Teresa) and her search for a rich husband, which leads her to the door of titled-but-poor, Jeff. There are some fine comic moments along the road towards true love, most of which occur one fateful night in the Hotel Magnifique, and which see a conniving chief-of-police on the receiving end of a black eye (a "marron" in Wodehouse speak), and more on-off engagements than you could expect from the complete works of Jane Austin! These scenes play like a fine stage farce, and it is not difficult to imagine doors of a set opening and closing as characters enter and exit the scene with perfect comic timing.
However, 'French Leave' perhaps lacks the warmth of the very best of Wodehouse's books. The intricate plotting does much to cover up the fact that none of the protagonists here have the genuine likeability of his most popular characters. Indeed, this reviewer found the shenanigans of the irresponsible Old Nick (Marquis de Maufringneuse) rather trying, given that he came across as a rather inferior and rather underhand Galahad Threepwood. Likewise, the blending of French and English-speaking characters is a little awkward, and not enough is made of attempts by one side to speak the other's language to comic effect.
Nevertheless, 'French Leave' is thoroughly-enjoyable fluff, the perfect fare for a holiday reading in the sun. This may not be 5 star luxury Wodehouse, but it certainly provides comfortable accommodation for an amusing break.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
All the typical elements of a Wodehouse story are combined in this glorious romp through French spa towns. Follow the Marquis de Maufringneuse as he tries to help sundered hearts come together, whilst helping himself, of course..
Fans will be as ever enchanted, oh to live in Wodehouse's world!
Format:Paperback
Teresa `Terry' Trent, American chicken farmer, on receiving a small windfall travels on holiday to the French resort of Roville to see how the other half live. The Marquis de Maufringneuse knows how the other half live, having once belonged to it, and now he is acting as an adventurer seeking rich American Women to introduce to his novelist son Jeff, the Comte d'Escrignon. On meeting Terry he assumes she to be rich enough to keep her father in law in the manner he used to be accustomed and so he is instrumental in their blossoming romance until he realises Terry has no money when he tries to break them up.
Confusion with the Marquis de Maufringneuse's ex-wife, two mineral water millionaires, a bent policeman, a drunken publisher and some stolen money all ensure that true love doesn't run a smooth course however we needn't worry too much, in Wodehouse's world only those whom truly deserve it get an unhappy ending.
A Wodehouse novel written without his usual formula, containing no references to members of the Drones or any of Wodehouse's stock characters; I should be praising it for its originality and as a jewel in the Wodehouse crown but if I'm honest what it is lacking is an English ass as the hero and a Country house setting, sorry.
Confusion with the Marquis de Maufringneuse's ex-wife, two mineral water millionaires, a bent policeman, a drunken publisher and some stolen money all ensure that true love doesn't run a smooth course however we needn't worry too much, in Wodehouse's world only those whom truly deserve it get an unhappy ending.
A Wodehouse novel written without his usual formula, containing no references to members of the Drones or any of Wodehouse's stock characters; I should be praising it for its originality and as a jewel in the Wodehouse crown but if I'm honest what it is lacking is an English ass as the hero and a Country house setting, sorry.
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