The Début of Battling Billson
Battling Billson is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse, first published in 1923. The story follows the adventures of Billson, a young man who has recently come into a large inheritance and is determined to prove himself as a worthy heir. Along the way, he encounters various characters, including his eccentric relatives, a group of thieves, and a beautiful woman who may or may not be trustworthy. Throughout the novel, Wodehouse's signature wit and humor are on full display, as Billson navigates the ups and downs of high society life with good-natured determination.
By P. G. Wodehouse · First published 1904 · Genre: Comedy, Fiction, Sport · 9,979 words
First lines
It becomes increasingly difficult, I have found, as time goes by, to recall the exact circumstances in which one first became acquainted with this man or that; for as a general thing I lay no claim to the possession of one of those hair-trigger memories which come from subscribing to the correspondence courses advertised in the magazines. And yet I can state without doubt or hesitation that the individual afterwards known as Battling Billson entered my life at half-past four on the afternoon of Saturday, September the tenth, two days after my twenty-seventh birthday. For there was that about my first sight of him which has caused the event to remain photographically lined on the tablets of my mind when a yesterday has faded from its page. Not only was our meeting dramatic and even startling, but it had in it something of the quality of the last straw, the final sling or arrow of outrageous Fortune. It seemed to put the lid on the sadness of life.
What this Textopian page supports
The Début of Battling Billson is listed on Textopian as a novella by P. G. Wodehouse, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: P. G. Wodehouse
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Fiction, Sport, Adventure
- Length: 9,979 words
- Structure: 1 section, 253 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Début of Battling Billson by P. G. Wodehouse
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Début of Battling Billson?
- How does this novella by P. G. Wodehouse fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Level Business Head by P. G. Wodehouse
- Ahead Of Schedule by P. G. Wodehouse
- Work by P. G. Wodehouse
- The Rough Stuff by P. G. Wodehouse
- First Aid For Dora by P. G. Wodehouse
- The Purification Of Rodney Spelvin by P. G. Wodehouse
Genres
- Comedy — The book is known for its humorous and witty narrative, showcasing Wodehouse's signature comedic style.
- Fiction — As a tale about a boxer navigating through life, the book falls under general fiction.
- Sport — The character Billson is a boxer, so the plot revolves around the sport.
- Adventure — Billson's journey through his boxing career could be considered an adventure.
Tags
humor · comedy · fiction · British literature · satire · short stories · lighthearted · adventure · character-driven · witty · social commentary · romance