Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse: A Novel

Ugh. If you're like me and think you may want to read this because you love P.G. Wodehouse take my advice and read anything by 'Plum' and give this one a pass. I made it through 7/8ths of the book and couldn't stand it anymore. Talk about depressing, anything bad that could possibly happen to Mrs. Stillman does and her only solace is reading Wodehouse. I get it but why beat the poor reader over the head by dropping everything on poor Mrs. Stillman but the kitchen sink? I don't get the 5 star glowing reviews...
In closing: this book is the antithesis of Wodehouse.

Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse is a deceptively simple book. It chronicles, in straightforward, plain language, the life of Nell, beginning in 1900 with the accidental death of her young husband and ending in 1961 with her own death which is mourned only by a few young women unconnected to her by blood or marriage. In between, Faith Sullivan paints a picture of just how big a small life can be, even one that never leaves an obscure Wisconsin town or strays very far beyond the rigid social constraints imposed on a turn of the 20th century elementary school teacher.

Nell begins teaching the third grade because her husband's death has left her financially impoverished with an infant son to provide for. She is aided by one of the few wealthy families in town -- they give her a little money and recommend her to the position now that she is eligible as an unmarried woman. A book which champions the humble does not hesitate to show the privileged as three dimensional people, capable of insight and kindness and subject to tragedy as well. Just as importantly, Nell is able to see them for who they are without being overawed or resentful. Nell's clear sighted vision is aided by her love of literature. When she reads Chekhov, she realizes,

These were people she knew, Harvester people! Set down in the provinces of Russia they might be, but she daily nodded to many of them on Main Street or sat beside them at St. Boniface, people with awful longings, a sense that life was happening elsewhere, that this little world was suffocating them.

For Nell, being unsophisticated is "no crime if you weren't narrow, and she hoped that her reading kept her from that. Through novels you glimpsed the grim night that could eventually overtake the intolerant." More than reading and references to literature keep Nell, and this book, from being narrow, though. A wide variety of characters, who are prideful, frightened, ambitious, and kind populate the little town of Harvester, and their stories are often told through their own point of view. We meet the rural girl who comes to the city, passes up good opportunities for bad ones, and makes a decent life for herself anyway. There's the older local politician with an eye for Nell, the good natured butcher with the malicious son, the stingy aunt, and the aunt's paid companion who gets a glorious and highly profitable revenge.

Perhaps most moving is the story of Nell's son, Hillyard, who grows up to be a good man and leaves her to drive an ambulance in the War to End All Wars. The physical misery and emotional trauma he endures are harrowing. This sensitive young man says goodbye to family friends and thinks,

When had age crept up on Diana, and how had he not noticed? You had to pay attention every day, or it all moved on without you. A sudden sense of passing time filled his mouth, and his throat ached swallowing this huge new intelligence.

But when Hillyard comes home again, there is very little that he is able to notice or appreciate anymore. Nell suffers through the change in her only child without self pity and without apology for continuing to seek out the things that give her pleasure -- books, friendship, the presence of young people as she grows old, and love. The wider world, with all its injustices, rages on. A lone woman does her best to survive it with grace and good humor. As I said, this is a deceptively simple book, and it's one with a remarkably powerful impact.

I enjoyed being exposed to the historical elements of a small town during World War I.The interactions between the characters held my interest. I especially appreciate books that take me a step back in time and give me insight into the living conditions and expectations of the period. This book also directed me toward the Wodehouse writings with which I was not familiar so it was something of a double bonus.

This lovely story demonstrates all the extraordinary moments that are found in an ordinary life. Faith Sullivan takes us into the daily life of Nell Stillman, from life as a young bride, a mother, a friend to her community. Beginning in the early 1900s, we live with Nell through both World Wars. Her love of her family and neighbors and her love of reading, particularly the works of Mr. Wodehouse, carry her through the good and bad moments that, together, forge a memorable life. This was my first reading of Ms. Sullivan's works. I'll be looking for more of her books!

Like "All the Light We Cannot See," Faith Sullivan's "Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse" is a book with heart, filled with fights and rumor, babies and old men, endless opportunity and longing. Set against the backdrop of war and depression, the novel spans the better part of a century and the full range of emotion as a young mother adapts to the privations of life in the Midwest.

We come to care about the main character, Nell Stillman, as much as Nell cares about others. She is a gift to her world. In her quiet way, she advocates for family and friends, for the wayward and the lame, and for women everywhere, even in the face of uncaring neighbors, teachers and priests, people who use social pretense to deny the rights of others. We mourn her loss and celebrate her gain, as when Nell's friend Juliet wills a house to start a library in the farming community of Harvester, Minnesota: "As usual, Juliet had acted while Providence dithered."

In a town proud of its ignorance, the library, and the life it nurtures, becomes central to the novel. When circumstances threatens to overwhelm, Nell turns to books, especially the delightful works of P.G. Wodehouse, an author who gives hope as well as comfort. Sullivan's language reflects that love. It shows in her description of everything from hard stars in a cold sky to the joy of playing cards with lifelong friends.

Reading the epilogue, don't be surprised at the tears in your eyes. They are just another gift from Nell.

Simply a lovely and beautiful book. From page one I was instantly drawn in to Nell's life. What a marvelous character, facing adversity from page one, Nell is strong, selfless, kind, brave, imaginative I could go on. Best of all, the author's wonderful description of reading and how it enriches our lives. Thank you for another wonderful book Ms. Sullivan.

Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse begins with an obituary for Nell Stillman, written by Nell Stillman 15 years before she died.

When I opened Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse and began reading I felt like I was coming home to lovely evening with old friends. Friends from the fictional place of Harvester, Minnesota. Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse spans Nell's lifetime from her first year of marriage and the birth of her son to her death in 1960.

Nell becomes a 3rd grade teacher out of necessity when her abusive husband dies and she must raise her son alone. She struggles to find her way amidst the small town life of rumors and distrust as she creates life long friends and a space to call her own.
She is an independent woman when woman are supposed to rely on a man to provide and support her. She becomes a book lover and a supporter of public libraries. Her books help her escape and are trusted friends, especially the books by P.G. Wodehouse.
(Psst, I've never read a book by P.G. Wodehouse, please don't tell the Faith Sullivan.)

Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse is a gem of a story that is a love letter to independent women and book lovers and social studies teachers like me. There is a entertaining and lovable cast of characters that flit in and out of significant historical events that make you hold your breath and hope for the best. My favorite characters from Sullivan's former books make an appearance and I was so glad. I really just wanted to sit down and have tea at the table and discuss the love of books with them.

I totally love the book cover. The book cover is amazing and reminds me of the classic look of Goodnight, Moon.

Faith Sullivan writes with heart and quiet strength. Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse is like a fine glass of wine and a warm fire. The story glows with wit and wisdom and celebrates the art of the story. The story of a woman who loves her son and teaching and books. The story of friendships, of triumph and tragedy, of a simple life in a small town. The story of all of us.

Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse got my attention initially because I am such a devoted Wodehouse fanatic, but it's a love letter for all readers. I now plan to read all of Sullivan's books, but this one, I suspect, will always be my favorite.

P.G. Wodehouse has long been a palliative when I get down--and so he serves for the protagonist as well. Ironically, that is only a small part of what I love about this book--it's more a quiet story of a woman's life starting in the early 1900's in a farming community. The life is so calmly realistic, full of minor and major hardship and small moments of beauty. Nothing is trite or neatly tied up, though, and the tiny triumphs of the human spirit are personally very satisfying.

Some very rare books, upon completion, leave you with a warm glow of contentment and satisfaction, not unlike finishing a delicious meal with fond companions and witty company. This is such a book.

Reading this warm, lovely novel for the second time. I'm sure it won't be my last.

The most telling thing I can say is that this is not even my "kind" of book. But I couldn't put it down. I stayed with it, reading it like a suspense novel, pulled along by the three-dimensional characters and by the writing. It's simply magic. How can a book make you read it in spite of yourself? This one did. It's lovely, memorable, and now I'm sad that I've finished it.