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The Gold Bat
The Gold Bat
A novel of public school life based on Wodehouse's alma mater. The plot centers around the student's struggles for the last vacancy on the football fifteen and the doings of a mysterious "League" in the school.
Book Excerpt
. Clowes was in the position he frequently took up when the weather was good--wedged into his window in a sitting position, one leg in the study, the other hanging outside over space. The indoor leg lacked a boot, so that it was evident that its owner had at least had the energy to begin to change. That he had given the thing up after that, exhausted with the effort, was what one naturally expected from Clowes. He would have made a splendid actor: he was so good at resting.
"Hurry up and dress," said Trevor; "I want you to come over to the baths."
"What on earth do you want over at the baths?"
"I want to see O'Hara."
"Oh, yes, I remember. Dexter's are camping out there, aren't they? I heard they were. Why is it?"
"One of the Dexter kids got measles in the last week of the holidays, so they shunted all the beds and things across, and the chaps went back there instead of to the house."
In the winter term the baths were always boarded over and converted into a sort of ex
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Readers reviews
3.5
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This was the first Wodehouse book I read, and still holds a special fondness with me. I agree with Leah that it's not as funny as other Wodehouse books, however I still found it captivating, even as someone that doesn't read frequently. For that reason I'm going to give it 4 stars.
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One of Wodehouse's early novels set in English public schools, probably aimed at boys of prep-school age. Like "The Head of Kay's" and "A Prefect's Uncle," it's told in a series of episodes.
Similarly, it's not as funny as the Jeeves stories, but for those who've exhausted Wodehouse's later, better-known works, it makes an interesting look back.
The very British references to footer and other aspects of U.K. boarding-school life may make it slightly impenetrable to American readers unfamiliar with these English institutions.
Similarly, it's not as funny as the Jeeves stories, but for those who've exhausted Wodehouse's later, better-known works, it makes an interesting look back.
The very British references to footer and other aspects of U.K. boarding-school life may make it slightly impenetrable to American readers unfamiliar with these English institutions.
08/24/2008
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