Hot Water (novel)

First US edition

Hot Water is a novel by P.G. Wodehouse, first published on August 17, 1932, in the United Kingdom by Herbert Jenkins, London, and in the United States by Doubleday, Doran, New York.[1] The novel had been serialised in Collier's from 21 May to 6 August 1932. It was subsequently adapted for the stage by Wodehouse and his long-time collaborator Guy Bolton as The Inside Stand (1935).

The story takes place at the Chateau Blissac, Brittany, and recounts the various romantic and criminal goings-on there. It contains a mixture of romance, intrigue and Wodehouse's brand of humour.

Plot outline

The story's central character is Packy Franklyn, an American millionaire and sportsman. He is engaged to Lady Beatrice Bracken and is staying in England. A chance meeting with the great Dry legislator, Senator Ambrose Opal, leads to all hell breaking loose when a letter written by the Senator to his bootlegger is used as a tool for blackmail. The book also features Gordon "Oily" Carlisle and Gertie, who reappears in the book Cocktail Time, as well as Soup Slattery and Jane Opal.

References

  1. McIlvaine, E., Sherby, L.S. and Heineman, J.H. (1990) P.G. Wodehouse: A comprehensive bibliography and checklist. New York: James H. Heineman, pp. 62-63. ISBN 087008125X

External links