Love Among the Chickens · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for Love Among the Chickens by P. G. Wodehouse.

Read with companions Book page

Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.

Chapter 1
Dedication
P.G. Wodehouse dedicates the book to his friend Bill Townend, acknowledging that the inspiration for the story came from Townend's detailed account of a friend's misadventures on a Devonshire chicken farm. Wodehouse explains that he wove a plot around the real-life material provided by Townend, particularly the character of Ukridge, and notes that he has rewritten the book to remove dated elements.
Chapter 2
Love Among the Chickens
Jeremy Garnet reflects on his friend Stanley Ukridge's harebrained scheme to start a chicken farm in the countryside, a plan that quickly descends into chaos and comedic mishaps. Amidst the fiasco, Garnet rekindles his acquaintance with Phyllis Derrick, leading to romantic tension.
Chapter 3
A Letter with a Postscript
Jeremy Garnet learns from a letter that his old friend Stanley Ukridge is back in England and likely to visit. Despite his desire for quiet to write a novel, Ukridge arrives noisily at his London lodgings, prompting Garnet to consider fleeing to the country.
Chapter 4
Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Ukridge
Jeremy Garnet reflects on the absence of Stanley Ukridge from Who's Who. Ukridge bursts in with his new wife, Millie, and enthusiastically pitches his scheme to run a large-scale chicken farm in Combe Regis. Despite Garnet's skepticism, Ukridge insists he join them, promising profits and a golf course nearby. Mrs. Ukridge supports her husband's plans, having bought a book on fowls and written letters to acquire hens. Garnet reluctantly agrees to go.
Chapter 5
Waterloo Station, Some Fellow-Travellers, and a Girl with Brown Hair
Jeremy Garnet arrives at Waterloo Station to catch the train to Combe Regis, meeting Ukridge and Mrs. Ukridge. He boards a smoking compartment, hoping for solitude, but an elderly Irish gentleman and his pretty daughter Phyllis join him, followed by a large, intrusive family including Aunty, Albert, and a niece. Garnet is captivated by Phyllis, who is reading his novel 'The Manœuvres of Arthur'. Overhearing her praise the book but criticize the character Pamela, he is both flattered and wounded. When the train stops at Yeovil, Phyllis and her father alight, leaving the book behind. Garnet returns it to her, confirming her eyes are blue, before returning to his carriage.

Dedication

Love Among the Chickens

A Letter with a Postscript

Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Ukridge

Waterloo Station, Some Fellow-Travellers, and a Girl with Brown Hair