Classic Wodehouse

A Damsel in Distress (1919) contains all the elements so common in P.G. Wodehouse novels: a doddering lord of the manor, a domineering aunt, thwarted young lovers, domestic help quick to manipulate the lives of their employers and two of the author's favorite passions, golf and musical comedy. Yet somehow Wodehouse mixes all these familiar ingredients into a highly original and always entertaining novel. one of his best.

Maud remains passionate about an American man she met in Wales the year before, but Caroline, her aunt,  demands she marry her son, Reggie, who is actually in love with Miss Faraday, the secretary who is helping Maud's father, Lord Marshmorton, with the family history. Lord Marshmorton, however, cares only about his roses.

Meanwhile George Bevan, a successful composer of Broadway musicals (one of which is playing in London) instantly falls in love with Maud when he comes to her aid on a London street. He tracks her back to her family estate, where she is being held a virtual prisoner. Her family mistakes George for the American from Wales, while Maud views him as a nice guy who might act as messenger between her and the man she loves. The confusion results in many chapters of sparkling comedy and finally a conclusion that is as romantic as anything Wodehouse ever wrote.

And yes, as usual, Wodehouse writes sentences that make you want to read them again and again, then go back later and read them again. Here's just one example: "Between ourselves, laddie, and meaning no disrespect to the dear soul, when the mater is moved and begins to talk, she uses up most of the language." Fortunately she left enough for Wodehouse to work his magic.