Questions from sensefille

[castalia]

1. Jeeves is a character shrouded in mystery. We know almost nothing about his life before coming to work for Bertie, apart from a few previous employers and a stint in the military. Who is Jeeves? How has he accumulated so much knowledge? Why does he know so much about the criminal trade (dognapping, using treacle and brown paper to break windows silently, etc.)? I'd like to hear what you have to say about your own question!

Oh my, let's see. Like most of you, I don't believe Jeeves is evil either, but he has the potential to be one of the great master criminals if only because of his intelligence. He seems to know everyone or at least of them, so it's conceivable he might have acquaintances in the criminal trade and acquired knowledge of certain things from them. I think he's an interesting dichotomy because although he's immensely smart and needs to keep his brain busy, he also seems to desire a very easy existence. He *likes* being a valet and goes out of his way to make sure that Bertie stays single so that Jeeves can stay in his employ. This way he gets to travel, enjoy the delights of the city, and live a highly comfortable existence. I'd never say he was lazy, but he does like the easy life :) And, even though we rarely hear his thoughts on the matter, I think he really does adore Bertie as much as we do.

2. What do you think happens to us when we die?

Well, as an Episcopalian I do believe in a Heaven. Exactly what that'll be like I'm not altogether certain, but I'd like to think it will include friends and family. Since we are supposed to be happy in Heaven, there will have to be huge libraries, lovely music, and intellectual stimulation or an equivalent thereof. I don't think I could be happy if there wasn't anything left to learn.

3. This is one I ask a lot: If you could live in any time and place, what would it be? Why?

Ah, this one always ties me in knots! Part of me would love to say England in the late 18th century during the Age of Sail. However, I'd have to make some changes so I could enjoy it and be a female at the same time. Similarly, I'd like to experience the Old West and the frontier. Victorian England is also tempting, for many many reasons. However, being a female, living now gives one the best options and I'd still say England. England at any time is appealing to me and I so want to live there.

4. I've been putting off reading Horatio Hornblower for quite some time, even though I keep intending to read it. Can you tell me something that will make me drop everything else I'm reading and go get that?

Well, honestly I'm not sure I can pimp the books to you as much as the series of movies. The Hornblower books are excellent in many respects (detail of the time period, ships, etc.), but they're not terribly strong on character and for that reason I'm not sure you'd like them. The Horatio in the books is very cold and not very likable, in my opinion. Ultimately, he's only interested in his career and duty. The Horatio on screen is so much better, because he is portrayed as a feeling human being. Instead, I'd recommend the Aubrey/Maturin series of books by Patrick O'Brian. O'Brian is even better at detail than Forrester, but he also is brilliant at character. He's even been compared to Jane Austen in that respect. His books are rich with development and full of lovely imagery and exciting action at sea, and are among my favorites ever.

5. You can only meet Hugh Laurie OR Stephen Fry. Who would it be, and why?

Only one? How cruel of you! :P It's a difficult decision, but I'd say Hugh. I think the man needs to know he has fans. I've read every article about him I can get my hands on, and I've rarely found anything I didn't like. It's tragic that a man with so many talents is so unsure of his worth and has such problems with depression. He's become my favorite comedian ever and I'd love to chat with him about anything. From what I've heard, he's extremely intelligent (he'd have to be, to be best friends with Stephen) and would likely have much to say on any topic.

Some of those were hard! Thanks for the great questions :)