The Prince and Betty
1912
The Prince and Betty is a humorous novel by P. G. Wodehouse, first published in 1912. The story follows Betty Silver, who is summoned to the island of Mervo by her stepfather, where she encounters John, the Prince of Mervo, who is oblivious to his royal status. As they navigate love, duty, and the comedic chaos of royal expectations, their lives become intertwined in unexpected ways. This novel showcases Wodehouse's signature wit and satirical take on aristocracy and romance.
Editions
X-Ray
“Humour, if one looks into it, is principally a matter of retrospect.””
— P. G. Wodehouse
“I have been studying the principles of socialism deeply of late, and I came to the conclusion that I must join the cause. It looked good to me. You work for the equal distribution of property and start in by swiping all you can and sitting on it. Ah, noble scheme! Me for it!””
— P. G. Wodehouse
“New York is an egotist. It will suffer no divided attention. "Look at me!" says the voice of the city imperiously, and its children obey. It snatches their thoughts from their inner griefs, and concentrates them on the pageant that rolls unceasingly from one end of the island to the other. One may despair in New York, but it is difficult to brood on the past; for New York is the City of the Present, the City of Things that are Going On.””
— P. G. Wodehouse
“The gods are business-like. They sell; they do not give. And for what they sell they demand a heavy price. We may buy life of them in many ways; with our honour, our health, our independence, our happiness; with our brains or with our hands. But somehow or other, in whatever currency we may choose to pay it, the price must be paid.””
— P. G. Wodehouse
