Reviews for Antony And Cleopatra

The average rating for Antony And Cleopatra based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-09-01 00:00:00 Tran Eldridge This is a departure from the usual Wodehouse novel, in the sense that it is not rip-roaring situational comedy, but a poignant tale comprising love, heartbreak, despair and heroism in equal measure. Had it been told by one of those Russian novelists that Plum is fond of lampooning, it would have been a grim tale indeed. But here, the satirical eye of the court jester makes it almost a laugh riot. Verily, the world is indeed a comedy to those who think. The eponymous heroine, Jill Mariner, is not really "reckless" - she just does not conform to the Victorian norms that postwar England is still living by. She will dash off to supper with a childhood friend of the opposite sex she had just been reunited with, or risk arrest by attacking a hooligan trying to hurt a dumb animal. This lack of sense of propriety lands her in trouble with her fiance Derek Underhill, who is a Member of Parliament and a stuffed shirt of the worst kind. Hopelessly under his mother's thumb who despises Jill, Derek breaks off her engagement; at the same time she loses her fortune because of the unwise speculations of her uncle, Major Chris Selby, who does not mind sailing close to the wind as far as the law is concerned. Uncle and daughter rush off to America to rebuild their fortunes. Selby is soon in his element, looking out for the gullible to put one over, whereas Jill joins the chorus of a musical show. She meets her childhood sweetheart Wally Mason, who was in part responsible for the breaking up of her engagement; he is still enamoured of her, but she is in two minds. Jill's and Derek's mutual friend Freddie Roorke, a typical vapid young man man in the Bertie Wooster mould, also comes over, and we have a jolly to-do in the typical Wodehouse style. The latter half of the book is a hilarious look at the field of American musicals, described in the way only Plum can; and of course, after sufficient misunderstandings, we do have a happy ending. Jill is one of the most endearing heroines that Wodehouse has created; also the most bold and empowered. In fact, the novel is surprisingly feminist for its times.

Review # 2 was written on 2015-03-07 00:00:00 Justin Webster PG! PG! PG! Throw away your telephones, televisions, lovers, partners, chocolates (except Lindt), latest wardrobes (definitely Crocs), and your jewelry, and cars and bicycles. In a Wodehouse world you only need your eyes and brain and your already cultivated reading skills. It is time now to dedicate your free, newly unencumbered hours to PGW's works. Get them all, the price is right, and begin reading. I, the dumbest amongst us, am challenging you to upgrade your life. 'Jill the Reckless' is a must read, but then again all his books must be read. This particular book, I finished in two days. And I read the Mandarin version of it with my Moo Goo Gai Pan, in a white take-away box, a chopstick away from my mouth. Okay, it wasn't in any Chinese dialect, but I am dying for the revival of Moo Shoo Anything and other dishes with half the amount of fat. So, how much longer must I and others wait, Confuscious? I digress. Pardon me. I do not know how many pages are in this fachacta novel nor do I remember the titles anymore. With these e-readers, these afore necessary characteristics of a book are no longer easily accessible or essential. But that may be just me. I can find the 'location value' of the page I am on and I dare not recede to the home page to find the 'Title,' for I will never be able to get back to the last page I was on. Technology, like gender change, is not always as easy as it looks (from what I have read from a superfluous non PGW-ite). The point is I read the damn thing faster than Usain Bolt recently ran his races. I could not put it down. I was laughing throughout. I cried several times. No spoilers here but it is a love story and heaven knows I require love stories. We all need them regardless of their outcome. Drama, I say… This was published probably a hundred years ago, about the same time I started writing this review. Is Wodehouse the greatest writer of all time? Don't answer it, I am very tough for a Pekinese sized adult male. I could slide into your wi-fi signal and hit you on the head with a Sunflower. And even though some of you big shots have not read 'War and Peace' yet, you have heard of Napoleon? 'Nough said. Do yourself a flavor (sic). Pick up this book, whatever it is called (Jill is in its' title) and however long it is. Sharing what you love is a true sign of friendship.