Uneasy Money

I’ve listened to a *lot* of Wodehouse, but *Uneasy Money* might be my favorite audiobook of his—largely because Simon Vance doesn’t just narrate it; he *performs* it like a one-man West End farce. His delivery of Belfry’s exasperated internal monologues had me laughing out loud in public (embarrassing, but worth it), and his voice for the villainous Sir Edward Shorrock—all bluster and thinly veiled greed—is so spot-on it feels like Wodehouse wrote the role for him. The pacing is relentless, with Vance leaning into the story’s escalating absurdity (a stolen necklace, a fake engagement, a poet masquerading as a financier) without ever rushing the jokes. That said, this isn’t Wodehouse’s *tightest* plot. The middle act sags slightly under the weight of too many scheming side characters, and the romance subplot feels perfunctory even by his standards. But the narration saves it: Vance’s ability to make even the most minor character distinct (I’d recognize his nasally Aunt Lora anywhere) keeps the energy high. The production is flawless—no awkward pauses or volume spikes—just six hours of polished, laugh-until-you-snort entertainment. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at a trust-fund baby or a social climber, this audiobook will feel like sweet, satirical revenge. **Critiques to note:** The humor is *very* of its time (expect some outdated gender norms and class stereotypes), and the ending wraps up a touch too neatly. But if you’re here for Wodehouse’s wit and Vance’s narration, those are quibbles.