Uncle Fred in the Springtime
Uncle Fred in the Springtime is a funny novel by P. G. Wodehouse, published in 1939. It mainly takes place at Blandings Castle, home of Lord Emsworth, and stars Uncle Fred, the clever and cheerful schemer known as the 5th Earl of Ickenham.
In London, Pongo Twistleton is broke and asks his wealthy friend Uncle Fred for help. At Blandings, the Duke of Dunstable is busy trying to train the Empress of Blandings, the castle’s prize pig. Lord Emsworth asks Uncle Fred to stop the Duke from stealing the pig. Fred also plans to bring Polly Pott to Blandings so she can meet and win over Polly’s fiancé, Horace Pendlebury-Davenport, which would solve Pongo’s money problems and Polly’s future.
Fred arrives at Blandings dressed up and playing tricks. He pretends to be the famous psychiatrist Sir Roderick Glossop, with Pongo posing as his secretary and Polly as his daughter. They unexpectedly meet the real Glossop on the train, which complicates things even more. At the castle, Baxter, the Duke’s man, is involved in the trickery, and Fred’s disguise causes a cascade of miscommunications.
Many comic twists follow: stolen money, the pig’s clever schemes, a plan to pay Polly off, and a series of misunderstandings that almost topple everyone’s plans. A Mickey Finn knocks out some of the characters, the pig goes missing, and secrets are revealed. In the end, Uncle Fred smooths things over and makes sure the family looks respectable, while also securing money for Gilpin’s soup bar and a little extra for himself to enjoy in the city.
The book is known for its witty dialogue and light, playful tone. It was first serialized in The Saturday Evening Post in 1939, and has been adapted for radio in 2012 and referenced in later Blandings adaptations.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 16:41 (CET).