Wodehouse Plots and Titles Trivia Quiz

Answer: Uncle Fred in the Springtime

'Uncle Fred in the Springtime' was first published in 1939. This Blandings novel features Lord Ickenham (Uncle Fred). Ickenham visits Blandings as Sir Roderick Glossop along with his nephew Pongo. He does so to unite Polly Pott with the Duke of Dunstable's nephew. But Baxter suspects and Uncle Fred has to use all his ingenuity to ensure that the lovers are united and all goes well.

Answer: Much Obliged Jeeves

'Much Obliged Jeeves' was first published in 1971 and features Bertie at Brinkley as a guest of Aunt Dahlia. Bertie's friend Ginger is contesting an election and accompanying him is his fiancée Florence Craye. Campaigning for Ginger is Lord Sidcup (Roderick Spode) and with him is his fiancee Madeline Basset. Bertie's old valet Bingley has got hold of the (in)famous Junior Ganymede club book.

The resulting chaos leads to Bertie getting engaged to both Florence and Madeline. Everything ends well with Jeeves finally tearing off the pages about Bertie from the club book.

Answer: Pearls, Girls and Monty Bodkin

'Pearls, Girls and Monty Bodkin' first published in 1972 features the adventures of Monty Bodkin in Hollywood. This is a sequel to the 'Luck of the Bodkins'. Monty is in love with Gertude Butterwick and to prove his love, has to stay in a job for a year.

He lands up at Hollywood to work with Ivor Llewelyn. His secretary Sandy is in love with him and apart from Bodkin and the girls, there are pearls belonging to Llewelyn's daughter. Chimp Twist and the Molloys are behind the pearls. All ends well with Bodkin uniting with Sandy and Ivor getting a divorce from his tartar wife.

Answer: Heavy Weather

'Heavy Weather' features Galahad writing his reminiscences. The book is so hot that his neighbour Gregory Parsloe hires the detective Pilbeam to steal the book. Lord Tilbury hires Monty Bodkin to grab the book. Constance and Julia want to use book to break the engagement of Ronnie Fish with Sue Brown (daughter of Galahad's old flame). Finally, the book ends up as fodder for the Empress of Blandings and Sue and Ronnie get married.

This novel was first published in 1933 and is a sequel to 'Summer Lightning', where the stage is set for this plot.

Answer: Laughing Gas

'Laughing Gas' first published in 1936 is set in Hollywood. The novel features Reggie who goes to a dental clinic, where there is a 12 year old film star Joey Cooley. Reggie and Joey get laughing gas as anesthetic and accidentally their souls get exchanged, with Reggie's soul entering the 12 year old kid's body.

The resultant confusion is the main plot of this novel, which ends with everything coming back to normal and Reggie uniting with his love interest Ann.

Answer: Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves

'Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves' is a sequel to the 'Code of the Woosters'. In the 'Code of the Woosters', Bertie visits Totleigh Towers for the first time. 'Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves', first published in 1963, features Bertie's return to Totleigh to fix the trouble between Madeline Basset and Gussie. Confusion results with Gussie eloping with the cook and Bertie ends up engaged to Madeline. Only Jeeves can save Bertie, he comes as Inspector Witherspoon to save Bertie from the clutches of Major Brabazon Plank (who suspects Bertie of being a thief).

Answer: Money in the Bank

'Money in the Bank' features the escapades of George Uffenham who has to become a butler to retrieve his aunt's diamonds. The novel features the famous criminal trio Chimp Twist, Soapy Molloy and Dolly Molly. This novel was first published in 1942 in the USA. However, its UK release happened only in 1946; this was because of the treason charges pending against Wodehouse.

Answer: Pigs have Wings

'Pigs have Wings', was published in 1952 and features Galahad at Blandings. When Parsloe plans to steal the Empress, Gally retaliates by stealing Parsloe's pig and puts it in Jerry Vail's (former secretary to Emsworth) house. And to add to all this, is the love complication with Vail-Penelope-Vosper-Gloria-Parsloe-Maudie. Gally saves the day and finally all the lovers unite with their chosen partners.

Answer: Psmith in the City

Psmith and Mike were among the first characters created by Wodehouse. In the 1910 novel 'Psmith in the City', Psmith and Mike go to work in a bank under John Bickersdyke, who is frustrated by Psmith's antics. Psmith takes up the socialist movement and in the process helps Mike to save his job.

The novel ends with both Mike and Psmith leaving to Cambridge to pursue their education. 'Enter Psmith' is the first Psmith novel, 'Psmith Journalist' features Psmith's career as an intrepid reporter and 'Leave it to Psmith' brings together Psmith and the Blandings characters.

Answer: A Damsel in Distress

Maud Marsh is escaping from her suspicious brother and takes refuge in George Bevan's cab. Bevan falls in love with Maud and trails her to her home at Belpher Castle. Maud is in love with an unknown American, Maud's aunt wants her to marry her step son and Bevan wants to marry Maud.

A classic Wodehouse comedy of errors, finally all is well and Bevan and Maud are united. 'A Damsel in Distress' was published in 1919 and was made into a film featuring Fred Astaire.