Indiscretions of Archie by P. G. Wodehouse

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Indiscretions of Archie by P. G. Wodehouse

(7 User reviews) 569

By Helena Jones Posted on Apr 1, 2026

In Category - Wholesome Fiction

Authors: Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville), 1881-1975 Published By : Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville), 1881-1975

Book Language: English

Ever had a father-in-law who wishes you'd never married his daughter? Meet Archie Moffam, the cheerful but perpetually broke American in 1920s New York, who accidentally becomes the son-in-law of a hotel magnate who can't stand him. Archie's father-in-law, Daniel Brewster, owns the Hotel Cosmopolitan and views Archie as a human disaster zone. The 'indiscretions' are Archie's well-meaning attempts to help—which somehow always involve a stolen alligator, a champion boxer hiding in a hotel suite, or priceless paintings getting 'improved.' Every time Archie tries to smooth things over or prove he's not a total liability, he accidentally sets off another farcical chain reaction that threatens his marriage and the hotel's reputation. It's a hilarious game of social dominoes where the stakes are Archie's allowance and his wife's affection. If you've ever tried to impress your in-laws and failed spectacularly, you'll feel Archie's pain—and laugh all the way through it.

File: Indiscretions of Archie by P. G. Wodehouse

Picture New York in the Jazz Age, all flappers and fancy hotels. Archie Moffam, a charming but perpetually cash-strapped young American, marries the lovely Lucille. There's just one snag: her father is Daniel Brewster, the gruff, no-nonsense millionaire owner of the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Brewster took an instant dislike to Archie and has never warmed up. He thinks Archie is a frivolous idiot who can't hold a job and is only after his daughter's money.

The Story

The book isn't one long plot, but a series of connected escapades. Archie, desperate to win his father-in-law's approval (or at least stop him from cutting off Lucille's allowance), keeps stumbling into trouble. He tries to do a good deed—maybe return a lost pet (which turns out to be an alligator), or help a friend in need (a boxer needing a secret place to train). But because all this happens in or around the pristine Hotel Cosmopolitan, it inevitably creates chaos that enrages Mr. Brewster. Archie's explanations make things worse, his clever plans backfire spectacularly, and his cheerful optimism constantly crashes into Brewster's thunderous disapproval. The central question is whether Archie's good heart will ever be enough to overcome his terrible luck and his father-in-law's bad temper.

Why You Should Read It

This book is pure, undiluted comic relief. Archie is a wonderful fool—he's not stupid, just endlessly unlucky and too nice for his own good. You root for him because his heart is always in the right place, even as he's accidentally setting the hotel lobby on fire. Wodehouse's genius is in the dialogue and the escalating misunderstandings. The way Archie talks in 1920s slang ('What ho!', 'old bean') is half the fun. It’s also a sweet, funny look at early marriage and the nightmare of impossible in-laws. You read it with a constant smile, waiting for the next polite disaster to unfold.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who needs a laugh, loves classic comedy, or has ever felt judged by their partner's family. If you enjoy shows or books about well-meaning people in awkward social situations, you'll adore Archie. It's not a heavy book with a big message—it's a sparkling, clever farce that feels like a breezy escape to a funnier, if slightly more chaotic, world. Keep this one on your shelf for a bad day; Archie's misadventures are the perfect cure for the blues.