Quick Service - P.G. Wodehouse

What do you get when you mix Ukridge, Jeeves and PSmith. You get Joss Weatherby: J.B. Duff’s irritable and self proclaimed right hand, Mr. Steptoe’s agreeable valet and Miss Sally Fairmile’s discovered love interest.

Set in an English Castle, Claines Hall, which houses the erstwhile American Steptoes, who pine for the American way of living, Quick Service revolves around a portrait of Mrs. Chavender, a relative of Steptoes who resides in the premises. J.B. Duff, the undisputed ham merchant, who was originally engaged to Mrs. Chavender before breaking it off, wants the portrait for his own business reasons. And he is ready to employ a bevy of criminal masterminds for the purpose. And his cronies have their own things they would like to barter the portrait with J.B. Duff for. So, Sally’s betrothed, Lord Holbeton, wants to get his money from Duff which he is holding on to as his trustee, Sally wants Duff to give it to Holbeton so is a willing accomplice, Joss wants a job as Head of Art department (somewhat in line with the modern day marketing function) at Duff’s Ham selling company, Mr. Steptoe wants to get some cash to pay of gambling dues and to fly back to the America, and even Mrs. Chavender, who also is the subject of the rather fearful portrait wouldn’t mind getting some dough. So there are quite a few contenders for the prized portrait. Add to that a vigilant butler who is somewhat of a champion boxer, who is bent on preventing any crimes inside the mansion, the situation is bound to get complex.

To sum it up, which would be quite a bit, this is one of the most complicated and intricate plots of Wodehouse. And I really enjoyed the simplicity of how it unraveled itself in the end. And the humour in the book is priceless. J.B. Duff is quite a character. And his chemistry with the Joss is something to really enjoy. It’s a boss and subordinate relationship, where the subordinate ends up calling the shots, despite the boss making all attempts to keep a grip on things.

Also, this is one of those novels where the ending is happy for absolutely everyone. So everyone is a good guy in their own place. Therefore, the book’s a happy read, which will bring an unadulterated smile on your face.

Carrie - Stephen King

Carrie is the first book of Stephen King, as a lot of SK’s fans might know. And to think that he almost didn’t write this book for some other job that might get him some money, had it not been for his wife who pushed him along, makes me think of what a tremendous loss that would have been in the world of fiction writing. Well, that’s the reason you should marry… so that your partner can keep nudging you back on the path you are supposed to be on, whenever you think of taking a detour.

Carrie is the story of a young girl with telekinetic ability, that is to move objects by just the power of thought. Remind you of Jean Grey? Well, she is much like that. Only a lot more troubled. She isn’t troubled because of her power. She is troubled by her fanatically religious mother who doesn’t let her lead a normal life. She is troubled by her peers in college who make her the butt of every classroom joke. And she is troubled by her own inadequacy to be like a normal college going kid.

The book is not about how she learned to master her power. The book is not about a superhero girl who took on the responsibility of saving the world. The book is infact about the travails of a teenaged girl and the ultimate manifestation of her anger and frustration. You can push anyone only so far. And you should not be pushing people with telekinetic powers around. And when you do, not just you, but many more innocent people might just pay the price.

The climax of the story is truly scary. You really struggle to label Carrie as a protagonist or an antagonist of the book. Can’t give away much more.

Narration apparently is what SK decided to experiment on in his first book. Well it’s not too over the top an experiment as such. But it is definitely more engrossing than the regular linear story telling. The story as such is fairly simple to summarize. SK took a fairly simple story to new heights through the narration alone.

Carrie does showcase the writer that Stephen King was going to be. In his very first book, he successfully connects with the reader and generates fear, anger, disgust and sympathy. All that together, makes Carrie an excellent read even today!