Performing Flea
Performing Flea is a non-fiction book, based on a series of letters written by P. G. Wodehouse to William Townend, a friend of Wodehouse's since their schooldays together at Dulwich College. It was originally published in the United Kingdom on 9 October 1953 by Herbert Jenkins, London.[1] The title alludes to a disparaging comment by the playwright Seán O'Casey, who, in a letter to The Daily Telegraph in July 1941, referring to Wodehouse's radio broadcasts from Berlin, wrote that "If England has any dignity left in the way of literature, she will forget for ever the pitiful antics of English literature's performing flea".
The letters are introduced and annotated by Townend, who had provided Wodehouse with the story that inspired his character Ukridge. The letters were, in some cases, heavily revised by Wodehouse for the collection with the goal of making them more entertaining.[2]
The United States version of the book, titled Author! Author!, was published on 20 June 1962 by Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York.[1] It was substantially reworked, with commentary by Wodehouse replacing much of Townend's contribution.
References
- ^ a b McIlvaine, E., Sherby, L.S. and Heineman, J.H. (1990) P. G. Wodehouse: A comprehensive bibliography and checklist. New York: James H. Heineman, pp. 89-90. ISBN 087008125X
- ^ Ratcliffe, Sophie, ed. (2013). P. G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters. W. W. Norton, p. 12. ISBN 978-0-393-08899-1
External links
- The Russian Wodehouse Society's page
- P. G. Wodehouse, A Life in Letters
- Yours, Plum
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- Jeeves
- Blandings Castle
- Psmith
- Uncle Fred
- Mr. Mulliner
- Oldest Member
- Drones Club
- Ukridge
- School stories
- The Pothunters
- A Prefect's Uncle
- The Gold Bat
- William Tell Told Again
- The Head of Kay's
- Love Among the Chickens
- The White Feather
- Not George Washington
- The Swoop!
- Mike
- A Gentleman of Leisure
- Psmith in the City
- The Prince and Betty
- The Little Nugget
- Psmith, Journalist
- Something Fresh
- Uneasy Money
- Piccadilly Jim
- A Damsel in Distress
- The Coming of Bill
- Jill the Reckless
- The Girl on the Boat
- The Adventures of Sally
- Leave It to Psmith
- Bill the Conqueror
- Sam the Sudden
- The Small Bachelor
- Money for Nothing
- Summer Lightning
- Big Money
- If I Were You
- Doctor Sally
- Hot Water
- Heavy Weather
- Thank You, Jeeves
- Right Ho, Jeeves
- The Luck of the Bodkins
- Laughing Gas
- Summer Moonshine
- The Code of the Woosters
- Uncle Fred in the Springtime
- Quick Service
- Money in the Bank
- Joy in the Morning
- Full Moon
- Spring Fever
- Uncle Dynamite
- The Mating Season
- The Old Reliable
- Barmy in Wonderland
- Pigs Have Wings
- Ring for Jeeves
- Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit
- French Leave
- Something Fishy
- Cocktail Time
- Jeeves in the Offing
- Ice in the Bedroom
- Service with a Smile
- Stiff Upper Lip, Jeeves
- Frozen Assets
- Galahad at Blandings
- Company for Henry
- Do Butlers Burgle Banks?
- A Pelican at Blandings
- The Girl in Blue
- Much Obliged, Jeeves
- Pearls, Girls and Monty Bodkin
- Bachelors Anonymous
- Aunts Aren't Gentlemen
collections
- Tales of St. Austin's
- The Man Upstairs
- The Man with Two Left Feet
- My Man Jeeves
- Indiscretions of Archie
- The Clicking of Cuthbert
- The Inimitable Jeeves
- Ukridge
- Carry On, Jeeves
- The Heart of a Goof
- Meet Mr Mulliner
- Mr Mulliner Speaking
- Very Good, Jeeves
- Mulliner Nights
- Blandings Castle and Elsewhere
- Young Men in Spats
- Lord Emsworth and Others
- Eggs, Beans and Crumpets
- Nothing Serious
- A Few Quick Ones
- Plum Pie
published books
- The Beauty of Bath
- Nuts and Wine
- Oh, Boy!
- Leave It to Jane
- The Riviera Girl
- Miss 1917
- Oh, Lady! Lady!!
- The Girl Behind the Gun
- Kissing Time
- Oh, My Dear!
- Sally
- The Cabaret Girl
- The Beauty Prize
- Oh, Kay!
- Show Boat
- Rosalie
- The Three Musketeers
- Anything Goes
- The Play's the Thing
- Good Morning, Bill
- Leave It to Psmith
- Come On, Jeeves
- Bring On the Girls!
- Performing Flea
- Over Seventy
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