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Blandings - the logo of www.blandings.org.uk, the Companion to the works of P G Wodehouse

Jill the Reckless

The Little Warrior (U.S.)

A novel

After Jill's uncle loses her money and the unfortunate incident with the parrot, her fiancé, Sir Derek Underhill M. P., breaks off their engagement. Jill moves to New York and gets a job in the chorus of The Rose of America.

When Derek changes his mind and sends his friend Freddie Rooke as his ambassador, Freddie's diplomatic ability is tried as much as his dancing skills. Line drawing of a grey parrot - Bill

Publishing Information

UK:1921 Herbert Jenkins
1993 Vintage (used here)
US:1920 George H Doran as The Little Warrior

Published in Collier's magazine (US) from 22 May to 17 July 1920 as The Little Warrior.

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One of the longer novels, this book gives us a view of the musical stage that PG knew well. In it we see the hard life of the chorus and a glimpse of the less pleasant side of the business.

In the US version, Freddie's valet is Parker, not Barker, and Lady Underhill has a maid named Ferris. Otherwise, from Chapter 3 onwards the two versions are very similar with 'Warrior' slightly longer and some small differences in structure. In my opinion the US version is the better but not by enough to warrant paying more than for the British version, assuming there's a difference where you live.