Sunset at Blandings
 First edition | |
| Author | P. G. Wodehouse |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Chatto & Windus |
Publication date | 17 November 1977 |
Sunset at Blandings is an unfinished novel by P. G. Wodehouse published in the United Kingdom by Chatto & Windus, London, on 17 November 1977 and in the United States by Simon & Schuster, New York, 19 September 1978.[1]
Characters
- Sir James Piper — England's Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Claude Duff — Sir James' junior secretary whose aunt is Dame Daphne Winkworth. His uncle is the Duff of Duff and Trotter, provision merchants
- Brenda Piper — Sir James' forceful spinster sister who rules him
- Lady Florence Moresby — One of the many domineering sisters of Lord Emsworth. Also widow of the rich American J.J. Underwood. Currently separated from her second husband, Kevin
- Clarence, 9th Earl of Emsworth — Wants to have the Empress's portrait painted
- (Vicky) Victoria Underwood — Florence's pretty step-daughter who studied Art in London, and falls in love with Jeff Bennison
- Sergeant E.B. Murchison — Scotland Yard detective who acts as bodyguard to Sir James
- Lady Diana Phipps — Another of Lord Emsworth's sisters, the only one Galahad likes. She is beautiful, the widow of Rollo, and Sir James was once in love with her
- (Gally) Galahad Threepwood — Clarence's younger brother, who used to be good friends with Sir James. Both were members of the Pelican Club
- Jno. Robinson — Taxi owner/driver in Market Blandings
- Sebastian Beach — Butler at the Castle who worked there for 18 years
- Empress of Blandings — 3 time Silver medal winning Berkshire sow
- Marilyn Poole — Lady Diana's maid
- (Bingo) Jeff Bennison — An impecunious artist in love with Vicky. Teaches drawing at a girls' school in Eastbourne owned by Dame Daphne Winkworth. Went to school with Claude Duff
- Dame Daphne Winkworth — Fires Jeff as a drawing teacher at her school
- Freddie Threepwood — Lord Emsworth's younger son, who works and lives in America. Comes to London to drum up trade for the English branch of Donaldson's Dog Joy
- Stiffy Bates (*)
- Messmore Breamworthy (*)
- Kevin Moresby (*)
- G. Ovens - Inn keeper at Market Blandings(*)
Editorial history
Wodehouse was still working on the book when he died in 1975; the published version was edited by Richard Usborne, and includes Wodehouse's notes on the ending of the story.
Plot
The story is, as the poignant name suggests, another tale set at Blandings Castle, filled as ever with romance and imposters. Galahad Threepwood uses his charm and wit to ensure his brother Clarence continues to lead a quiet and peaceful life.
References and sources
- References
- ↑ McIlvaine, E., Sherby, L.S. and Heineman, J.H. (1990) P.G. Wodehouse: A comprehensive bibliography and checklist. New York: James H. Heineman, pp. 106-107. ISBN 087008125X
- Sources
- Wodehouse, P.G. (2000). Notes and Appendices by Richard Usborne, Revised and Updated by N.T.P. Murphy and Tony Ring., ed. Sunset at Blandings. Foreword by Douglas Adams. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-028465-6.
External links
- The Russian Wodehouse Society's page, with a list of characters