Humor Wodehouse, P.G.: The Swoop! v1. 30 Jun 07

[HarryT]

or "How Clarence Saved England".

This is one of the funniest books I've ever read, and one of my all-time favourites. The story of how half a dozen countries simultaneously decide to invade England (but hardly anyone notices, because Surrey are doing badly at cricket), and how the country is saved by a boy scout, Clarence Chugwater.

A sample:

The attitude of the British public, too, was getting on their nerves. They had been prepared for fierce resistance. They had pictured the invasion as a series of brisk battles--painful perhaps, but exciting. They had anticipated that when they had conquered the country they might meet with the Glare of Hatred as they patrolled the streets. The Supercilious Stare unnerved them. There is nothing so terrible to the highly-strung foreigner as the cold, contemptuous, patronising gaze of the Englishman. It gave the invaders a perpetual feeling of doing the wrong thing...


Enjoy!