'Do Butlers Rob Banks' by PG Wodehouse

Reading each phrase of a PGW book can make you visualize a thousand images in your mind. I don't know if I have ever read anything like this from any other author. The simplicity of PGW's writing just creates an illusion that you could have written this. And yet, you know you can never hope to write as lucidly as only he could do! 'Do Butlers Rob Banks' is another masterpiece and you know why PGW is such a brilliant painter of words.

I wouldn't be grossly wrong in saying this is a story about strange things people do when in love! The story begins with the musings of a skillful master of con art, a gang leader, Horace Appleby. The 'almost lyrical' description of Horace Appleby ensures that the initial image of a typical 'thug' vanishes within the first few pages that you read. And as you turn each page, Appleby becomes more and more likeable. You almost identify with this character and the way he mentions 'principles' and 'honour' and displays emotions so human and earthly you almost want to emulate him.

After establishing himself at the Mallow Hall as a Butler to Mike Bond (the 'keeper' of the Bond name and flame), Appleby plots to rob the Bond Bank with the help of his associates. Twist in the tale is that Bond Bank is almost bankrupt and short of funds to the tune of ₤100,000 due to the generosity of its late founder Sir Hugo Bond. The past continues to haunt Appleby through a resourceful detective of the Scotland Yard who suspects Appleby of complicity in the previous burglary.

When Jill Willard, who is head over heels in love with Mike, overhears Mike's conversation with the bank's trustees about the bank's problems, and Mike's casual remark that robbing the bank is the only possible way out, she jumps into the muddle headfirst. Jill plots to rob the bank with Bond's secretary Ada Cootes to fool auditors to think of robbery as the cause of the shortage of funds.

In the meantime, Appleby's gang, after some comic situations, is all set to rob the bank. And as fate would have it, both the 'robberies' happen on the same night, at the same time. Some hilarious pages later, the story ends with Appleby a transformed man, in no small measure because of his affections for Ms. Cootes, and the Bond Bank out of its financial mess due to a loan from Appleby and his gang, who evidently want a handsome return from their money.

The book is a light read - a typical Wodehouse masterpiece set in the sixties that is simple, yet powerful in its characterization, plot, and climax! Each character has his or her own identity that has been developed well and plays a part in the plot. No loose ends and you can almost explain everything in a perfectly rational way.

All in all - a delightful read! Highly Recommended!

Rate 5 Stars *****
British Libary, Chandigarh - CH004971,
Penguin, 1968