The Gold Bat (1904), The Head of Kay’s (1905) and The White Feather (1907) by P.G. Wodehouse

Book review by Chris Hopkins. Each of these early Wodehouse school-story novellas was first published by A&C Black, and all are now available separately in various editions. However, Penguin did readers a great service when it re-published the three together in 1986 as The Gold Bat and Other School Stories. I first read these stories … Continue reading →

The Third Eye (1937) by Ethel Lina White

Book Review by George S: The Third Eye is a paranoid novel, a book in which a young woman is caught up in the evil schemes of utterly ruthless enemies, and is put in situations where she does not know what is real and what is imagined. In this respect it is like Ethel Lina … Continue reading →

Summer Half (1937) by Angela Thirkell

Book Review by Hilary Temple ‘It seems to me highly improbable that any such school, masters, or boys could ever have existed.’ In writing this as a preliminary to Summer Half Thirkell had her tongue firmly in her cheek (a place it was quite used to occupying). Mother of three very bright sons, she had … Continue reading →

Mike and Psmith, by PG Wodehouse (1953)

Review by Val H. Mike and Psmith is a hugely enjoyable, old-fashioned school story, with mischievous boys, bamboozled teachers and heroic stands at the crease.  But it is much more than that.  With Wodehouse, you get the comic timing and language and the touch of genius that is Psmith. As a child, I loved school … Continue reading →