Here’s what I found about P. G. Wodehouse’s favorite books and authors that he himself enjoyed reading—gleaned from his letters, personal comments, and literary affinities:
Anthony Trollope
In a 1945 letter, Wodehouse shared how he discovered Anthony Trollope and became an enthusiastic fan. He described Is He Popenjoy? as initially slow but ultimately gripping, praising Trollope’s deeply realistic characters and vivid storytelling, and expressing eagerness to explore more of Trollope’s works. The Captive Reader
What Appears in Wodehouse’s Writing (Indirect Clues to His Tastes)
While not verbatim confirmation of his personal reading list, these references reflect the literary world Wodehouse most admired and often alluded to:
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Mystery & Detective Fiction
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle—often quoted or referenced, suggesting admiration for classic detective storytelling.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie likewise makes its way into Wodehouse’s comic commentary. Plumtopia -
Poetry & Classics
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Tennyson’s Idylls of the King quoted affectionately in The Girl on the Boat Plumtopia
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Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is employed humorously in Laughing Gas Plumtopia
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Great Expectations by Charles Dickens mentioned in The Pothunters Plumtopia
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Spinoza’s Ethics nodded to in Joy in the Morning Plumtopia
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The complete works of Shakespeare appear repeatedly across his stories—demonstrating familiarity and fondness for the Bard. PlumtopiaThe Spectator World
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Classical & Cultural Allusions
Wodehouse’s prose is rich with references: Biblical verses, and poets such as Keats, Shelley, Byron, Dickens, Longfellow, Browning, Arnold, as well as classical names and mythological figures, suggesting not only literary awareness, but the sort of canonical education he enjoyed weaving into his comedic world. The Spectator World
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