OUCH! Downsizing the big guy

A literary kick in the pants. Reported by Reg Green

One of P.G. Wodehouse’s upper-class characters has “a look of disdain that could open an oyster at 60 paces.”

He is the formidable Roderick Spode who was based loosely on a British fascist at a time when the Nazi brownshirts, Mussolini’s blackshirts and Communist redshirts fought viciously in European streets. He terrified both the languid Bertie Wooster, by threatening to tear off his head and make him eat it, and me. 

But Wodehouse was too good-natured to leave his readers uneasy. I lost my fear when it turned out that Roderick was the leader of a party called the Black Shorts.  

image_pdfimage_print

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

New English Review Press is a priceless cultural institution.
                              — Bruce Bawer

The perfect gift for the history lover in your life. Order on Amazon US, Amazon UK or wherever books are sold.

Order on Amazon, Amazon UK, or wherever books are sold.

Order on Amazon, Amazon UK or wherever books are sold.

Order on Amazon or Amazon UK or wherever books are sold


Order at Amazon, Amazon UK, or wherever books are sold. 

Order at Amazon US, Amazon UK or wherever books are sold.

Available at Amazon US, Amazon UK or wherever books are sold.

Send this to a friend