Mr Mulliner

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Mr Mulliner is a fictional character from the short stories of P. G. Wodehouse, who is widely regarded as one of the great comic writers of the 20th century, once described as "English literature's performing flea."

Mulliner is a habitué of the Angler's Rest, and his fellow drinkingmen are identified only by their beverages. (Hot Scotch and Lemon is Mulliner himself.) Like his fellow Wodehousian the Oldest Member, Mr Mulliner can enter any conversation and turn it to a reflection on a notable event from his recollection, and begin spinning his tale. Wodehouse revealed in an introduction that he devised Mr Mulliner after collect notebooks full of ideas that he could not use because they were too outlandish, until he had the happy notion of a fisherman -- whose veracity would be doubted.

The tales of Mulliner are unique in that they all happen to involve some blood relation. Mulliner's parents, siblings, and progeny must have been fairly fecund, as there are dozens upon dozens of cousins, nieces, and nephews with remarkable life experiences to be shared. These stories are mainly about love lost and found; about fortunes made and failed; and opportunities sought and missed; they take place across the globe, though the English Country House is the setting for many.

[edit] Stories

Though Mulliner's character is never revealed beyond his large family and choice of beverage, he narrates thirty-eight short stories. Three books, containing nine stories each, bear his name:

The remaining eleven stories are scattered in other volumes: