Performing Flea: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Book by P. G. Wodehouse}} |
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'''''Performing Flea''''' is a non-fiction book, consisting of a series of letters written by [[P.G. Wodehouse]] to a younger writer. It was originally published in the [[United Kingdom]] on [[October 9]] [[1953]] by [[Herbert Jenkins]], [[London]]. The title is a quotation from the [[playwright]] [[Sean O'Casey]], who described Wodehouse as "English literature's performing flea". |
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{{for|sideshow attraction|Flea circus}}{{Infobox book |
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| image = PerformingFlea.jpg |
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| caption = First edition |
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| language = English |
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| country = [[United Kingdom]] |
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| genre = Non-fiction |
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}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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{{Italic title}} |
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'''''Performing Flea''''' is a non-fiction book, based on a [[letter collection|series of letters]] written by [[P. G. Wodehouse]] to [[William Townend]], a friend of Wodehouse's since their schooldays together at [[Dulwich College]]. It was originally published in the United Kingdom on 9 October 1953 by [[Herbert Jenkins Ltd|Herbert Jenkins]], London.<ref name=McIl>McIlvaine, E., Sherby, L.S. and Heineman, J.H. (1990) ''P. G. Wodehouse: A comprehensive bibliography and checklist''. New York: James H. Heineman, pp. 89-90. {{ISBN|087008125X}}</ref> The title alludes to a disparaging comment by the playwright [[Seán O'Casey]], who, in a letter to ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' in July 1941, referring to Wodehouse's radio broadcasts from Berlin, wrote that "If England has any dignity left in the way of literature, she will forget for ever the pitiful antics of English literature's performing flea". |
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The letters are introduced and annotated by [[William Townend]], a friend of Wodehouse since their youth, who had provided Wodehouse with the inspiration for his character [[Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge|Ukridge]]. The [[United States]] version of the book, entitled ''Author! Author!'', when published on [[June 20]] [[1962]] by [[Simon & Schuster, Inc.]], [[New York]], was substantially reworked, with much of Townend's contribution removed and replaced with commentary by Wodehouse himself. |
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The letters are introduced and annotated by Townend, who had provided Wodehouse with the story that inspired his character [[Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge|Ukridge]]. The letters were, in some cases, heavily revised by Wodehouse for the collection with the goal of making them more entertaining.<ref>Ratcliffe, Sophie, ed. (2013). ''P. G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters''. W. W. Norton, p. 12. {{ISBN|978-0-393-08899-1}}</ref> |
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The United States version of the book, titled '''''Author! Author!''''', was published on 20 June 1962 by [[Simon & Schuster]], Inc., New York.<ref name=McIl/> It was substantially reworked, with commentary by Wodehouse replacing much of Townend's contribution. |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://wodehouse.ru/75.htm The Russian Wodehouse Society's page] |
*[http://wodehouse.ru/75.htm The Russian Wodehouse Society's page] |
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*[https://www.amazon.com/P-G-Wodehouse-Life-Letters/dp/0393088995 P. G. Wodehouse, A Life in Letters] |
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*[https://www.amazon.com/Yours-Plum-Letters-Wodehouse-WODEHOUSE/dp/0091746396/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1525540659&sr=1-1&keywords=yours+plum Yours, Plum] |
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{{P. G. Wodehouse}} |
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[[Category:Books by P. G. Wodehouse]] |
[[Category:Books by P. G. Wodehouse]] |
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[[Category:1953 books]] |
[[Category:1953 non-fiction books]] |
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[[Category:Herbert Jenkins books]] |
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[[Category:Collections of letters]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:45, 9 October 2024
 First edition | |
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
Performing Flea is a non-fiction book, based on a series of letters written by P. G. Wodehouse to William Townend, a friend of Wodehouse's since their schooldays together at Dulwich College. It was originally published in the United Kingdom on 9 October 1953 by Herbert Jenkins, London.[1] The title alludes to a disparaging comment by the playwright Seán O'Casey, who, in a letter to The Daily Telegraph in July 1941, referring to Wodehouse's radio broadcasts from Berlin, wrote that "If England has any dignity left in the way of literature, she will forget for ever the pitiful antics of English literature's performing flea".
The letters are introduced and annotated by Townend, who had provided Wodehouse with the story that inspired his character Ukridge. The letters were, in some cases, heavily revised by Wodehouse for the collection with the goal of making them more entertaining.[2]
The United States version of the book, titled Author! Author!, was published on 20 June 1962 by Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York.[1] It was substantially reworked, with commentary by Wodehouse replacing much of Townend's contribution.
References
[edit]- ^ a b McIlvaine, E., Sherby, L.S. and Heineman, J.H. (1990) P. G. Wodehouse: A comprehensive bibliography and checklist. New York: James H. Heineman, pp. 89-90. ISBN 087008125X
- ^ Ratcliffe, Sophie, ed. (2013). P. G. Wodehouse: A Life in Letters. W. W. Norton, p. 12. ISBN 978-0-393-08899-1
External links
[edit]
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