89. Mike at Wrykyn by P.G. Wodehouse (Fiction, Humour) 188 p.
First of the books featuring Mike Jackson, and the only one in which Psmith does not appear. Mike at Wrykyn is a much more straightforward school story than its sequel, Mike and Psmith. At fifteen, Mike is shaping up to be a decent cricketer when he manages to secure a place at Wrykyn, the school where three of his older brother have already distinguished themselves and where the fourth is attempting to earn his colours in cricket. The book is very cricket-heavy, and while it might be more exciting for someone who knows something about the game, even those of us who don’t can appreciate the story.
Mike at Wrykyn is a solidly good book, but without Psmith, it lacks that humour that made Wodehouse so justly famous. A Psmith-like characters does appear, in the person of Clowes, but he is only a minor character. Still, as a piece of light entertainment, it succeeds reasonably well. If you haven’t read any of the Psmith stories, though, Mike and Psmith would be a much better place to start.
Books read: 89/100 (89%)
Pages read: 26,554/30,000 (89%)
