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Uncle Fred in the Springtime  By  cover art

Uncle Fred in the Springtime

By: P. G. Wodehouse
Narrated by: Jonathan Cecil
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Publisher's summary

Uncle Fred, or to give him his full title of Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, fifth Earl of Ickenham, is considered by some as a splendid gentleman - a sportsman to his fingertips. Mr. Twistleton, nephew to the Earl, and otherwise known as Pongo to his friends, has a differing view. He simply describes his uncle as being loopy to the tonsils. But when the eccentric and well-loved Uncle Fred plays Cupid to Lord Emsworth, his old friend at Blandings Castle, little did he know that he would be known as Impostor A and the Lord’s beloved pig, the Empress, as Impostor B....

©2012 The Trustees of the Wodehouse Estate. All rights reserved. (P)2012 AudioGO

What listeners say about Uncle Fred in the Springtime

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"I say dear man . . . would you spot me a . . .?"

The reviews I read about this classic were good, with a few negatives that made me wonder if I was going to like this book, but it was a fun listen. There were only a couple of laugh-out-loud spots, but it's the cleverness and wit throughout the book that made it enjoyable.

I think people don't really talk like this in England, it does seem like it's an old-fashioned speech of a British stereotype, but it's a lot of fun to hear the unusual turn of phrases. The narrator did a great job with the accents and different characters.

The writing is ingenious in the line of an "Oh what a tangled web we weave . . . " plot line as untruths, bent truths, deceptions, impersonations, rigged gambling and card tricks ensue. The characters are beautifully described and memorable. Even the Empress, a large pig is has a rounded out character to which she stays true.

The story is a pleasant diversion from daily life, but not something to listen to in the background as all the machinations and trickery going on from beginning to end require the listener to pay close attention to keep up with the story.

If you appreciate a complex plot with funny and manipulative people, you might enjoy this book too.

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7 people found this helpful

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Pretty good

This is set in the Jeeves universe (jeeverse?), but it not a Jeeves story. It is also not a collection of short stories, as the Jeeves books tend to be. Instead, it is a full novel told in the classic P.G. Wodehouse style; clever writing, complex social situations that get messier and messier and then get neatly resolved in the end, and much ado about how silly the English nobility can get. It definitely has many highly entertaining moments and clever wording, and Jonathan Cecil's character voices are excellent as always.

However, there is a racially insensitive segment that hasn't aged well, where a (white) character dressed up as a "Zulu warrior" for a costume party, complete with blackface, so keep that in mind. This is an unfortunate tarnish on what is otherwise an excellent work.

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6 people found this helpful

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the PHABULOUS Uncle Fred‼️

this was my first PG Wodehouse and I really enjoyed it. the story was spectacular and funny and witty and charming and memorable. thank you audible❗

now I've listened to it twice and my main takeaway is to become more like Uncle Fred in my own life, he is a fantastic role model, he's hilarious, witty, clever, charming, handsome, rich and full of the zest for life, I only wish I had an uncle Fred in my life
thank you again Audible
and thank you PG ‼️

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3 people found this helpful

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hilarious

i haven't read this Blandings Castle novel in years. It is less well known than others by Wodehouse but one of his v best.

The reader did a creditable job.

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1 person found this helpful

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Frequently laughed out loud

More magic of language and imagination from this master. There is pleasure at watching the twists and turns approach, and joy when the surprises are sprung.

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Fun and funny

My first audio book of Wodehouse. Such a fun and humorous story! Thanks for the laughs :)

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Good, but not Wodehouse’s best

I enjoyed it, but it was very complicated even for PG Wodehouse. I thought it was a little hard to follow and the plot twists were not quite as clever as other works of his I’ve read. I think I’ve been spoiled by the Jeeves series. Jonathan Cecil, as always, was outstanding.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great fun

Jonathan Cecil's narration is spot on and adds greatly to the enjoyment of the Audible version of this book. Wodehouse's characterization of upper class England is entertaining and the situations he places them in are riotous and hilarious.

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Brilliant Caricature

Love the characters and the events. Especially Uncle Fred.
Always makes me laugh out loud.
The enterprising nature of some of Wodehouse's characters is the best thing I like about his works.

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It is perfect

One of the best I love p g wodhuose and Jonathan Cecil give a great performance as always

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