It is raining in God’s own Land. If you want to avoid the rain drenching you, an umbrella is a must. Yet no umbrella is going to save you from the downpour here at sulekha. It’s raining tags.

It’s Kavisha’s turn this time to tag me. I have been assigned the task of listing out Ten Favorite Literary Characters. Before I go any further let me confess that I am a proclaimed, branded, self confessed and most ardent Wodehouse fan/freak. I eat, drink and sleep Wodehouse books. I read and re-read them with the same interest each time, laughing aloud to myself at the humor making those around shake their heads sadly and conclude the worst about me. So don’t be surprised to find my Ten Favorite Literary Characters list teeming with Wodehouse-ian characters.  

Sally and Darrell

I don’t know who I wanted to be, Sally or Darrell, from Enid Blyton’s Malory Tower school series. Darrell was more hot-headed with a temper that flared. Sally was quieter, a loner and a steadying influence on Darrell. She always thought things out before she spoke unlike Darrel who spoke her mind. I was more like Sally and could identify myself with her. Yet there was something about Darrell, her forthright way of speaking, her impulsiveness that appealed to the dormant rebel in me.

Scarlet Pimpernel

Orczy’s Percy Blakeney as the mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel stole my heart at fourteen when he made his appearance in my English reader. How could I not help falling in love with the mysterious Bart who risked his life to save those awaiting death at the hands of the French Republican government. His daring exploits were stuff that dreams of any romantic school girls are made of.

Asterix and Obelix

Aaah! I just love these two. Many a day you will find me curled up with a comic giggling away reading about their various adventures. Asterix and Obelix are sure fire favorites of mine. Of course I have a soft corner for Obelix the menhir delivery man. He is too cute for words!!  

Draupadi

Krishna the dark one, sakhi of the Lord himself, wife of the Pandavas, renowned alike for her loveliness and her granite will. Why do I like her?? I don’t know. Suffice to say that I love this fiery, strong-willed Princess from the epic Mahabharata.

Galahad Threepwood

Galahad! Now, who wouldn’t like to have him as a friend?? Though his sisters Constance, Julia et al viewed him with jaundiced eyes, I for one adore him. He always came to the rescue of young hearts in love torn asunder, with the most ingenious plans. A useful man to have around you. Kidnapping pigs or intercepting sensitive letters that might put marriages on hold, he did it all with aplomb always coming out the winner. He is in fact an older version of Psmth. Both have gift of the gab in common. I love Galahad.

Lord Emsworth

Which Wodehouse fan is not familiar with the woolly headed peer Lord Emsworth of Blandings castle?? ‘Empress of Blandings’ the fat pig is all that interests him. I liked it best when he had a chance to get back at Baxter his officious secretary with a shot gun no less when Baxter got locked out of the house and had to bung flower pots at a window to wake the household. Hahaha!! That is one of the best scenes that is forever fresh in my mind.

Uncle Fred

Here is one character who will have you in splits from the minute he enters. I cannot but admit that an eccentric Uncle like him in real life is a real handicap. He is Earl of Ickenham, Pongo Twistleton’s Uncle. The one scene I like best is where he enters a house dragging his reluctant nephew along with him pretending to have come to trim the parrot’s claws. His escapades are hilarious to the hilt. Imagine what happens when this hyperactive Earl meets our woolly headed Lord Emsworth at Blandings in ‘Uncle fred in Springtime’!! Pure fun reading!!

Bertie Wooster & Jeeves

They are the favorite and most well known pair of all Wodehouse creations among the general public. Bertie is the rich foppish employer and Jeeves, his valet. The reins of Bertie’s life are in Jeeves’ hands. Bertie is clueless about how he is being manipulated. Each time the scatter-brained Bertie gets into trouble it is Jeeves to the rescue, most times without Bertie’s knowledge. The pair is entertaining to say the least.

Psmith

It is no secret that Psmith is the love of my life. If I start writing about HIM, I’ll probably be ‘bunged’ out by friends and foes alike for boring them to death. You see I can never stop talking of Psmith. So I will put a sock in it and just quote what Wodehouse himself had to say of his character: “Psmith is the only thing in my literary career which was handed to me on a plate with watercress round it, thus enabling me to avoid the blood, sweat and tears inseparable from an author's life.”

And last but never the least is another of my favorites….

Jimmy Crocker

Jimmy Crocker from Piccadilly Jim (one of my all-time favorite books by Wodehouse or is it THE fav book??) who loves the red-haired spirited Ann. Wow! He is so romantic  ...and the way he loves Ann!! Ann is the luckiest. I have nothing more to say.

I tag:

1. Ushasuryamani

2. Avinash

3. Usha M

4. Ranjini

5. Vivek