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By PG Wodehouse
As a tribute to one of my very close friends who passed away recently – I read a book, I know nothing else better. In my normal world, this book was ‘not my type’ and I would never have read it - if not for him.
This was a guy who made me read PG Wodehouse. In school one of my nerdy friends, die-hard fan of Wodehouse used to beg me –‘Ira please read Wodehouse, he is so funny.’ But I was in no mood for funny then, I was more Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Maugham, Hardy –classic, tragic type. And seriously, I never read funny. But this friend of mine T was more persistent than anyone I have ever met. He gifted me a big, thick copy of Wodehouse. This copy, which I ignored for sometime in the beginning, has now become a very important part of my collection of books - it is a commitment to my memory of a wonderful friend, an involved person, and irritating-interesting character, a boy more talkative than me or any other person I have met. This book is for keeps, for life.
I was glad that T gifted me Wodehouse, definitely British, stiff lipped humour is something else. Seeing every situation as funny is what this book teaches you, it tells you that it’s the sum of the parts that’s funny, when the parts themselves might be tragic. Read this book, you might not get weary with laughter, but the smile never leaves your face as you imagine the butler (Jeeves) and the master (narrator), the uncles and the aunts of the top echelon of the British society go on about their social networking in the old times.
Thank you, T.
Rest in peace and if it helps, I agree with you - I loved the book too!
2 quotes as dedication:
She had a penetrating sort of laugh. Rather like a train going into a tunnel.
P. G. Wodehouse
There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature.
— P.G. Wodehouse
Read T's blogs at: http://tirtho-random-thoughts.blogspot.com/
2 comments:
What does one say in a situation like this?
My sympathies Ira? Sounds flat.
Heartfelt Condolences? True but too formal.
I know how you feel? Do I really?
I will settle for "I am with you Ira, whatever the distance and invisible".
The British stiff uppah lip has rubbed off a bit on you and the post is more poignant because of it.
Did T also recommend James Herriot? If you have not read him already, that is.
True that Ira Di. Its usually the people who make a quick exit in life that give you life's best treasures.
On a more specific note, a Jeeves for myself would be nice...with his precision and quick wit a lot of my life would be sorted.
And the stiff British humour when taken in the right spirit can leave a lasting impression, don't it?
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