I got this because there was a word of the day, "brewstered". My favorite dog of all time was named Brewster, but brewstered didn't relate to my beloved companion from 2000 to 2012, but to a character in this book. So, I decided to check it out. Why not?

It seems that during a celebration of his 25th birthday, with pals from the "Little Sons of the Rich", Montgomery (or Monty) Brewster learns that his grandfather has died and that he, Monty, is to inherit a million dollars. But, a few days later, he learns that an uncle he hardly knew, has also died. That uncle, James T. Sedgwick, was a mining magnate in the west. It seems that said uncle will give his whole fortune, something like eight million dollars, to Monty, but with a certain proviso: Monty must divest himself completely of his inheritance from his grandfather by his 26th birthday, i.e. within just less than a year. But, he can't just give the money away, he must spend it in a somewhat responsible manner. The executor of the will, Swearengen Jones, will act as arbitrator as to how the money is spent, i.e. Monty has to clear things with Jones ahead of time. It seems that Uncle Sedgwick detested Monty's grandfather, hence the proviso in his will.

So, Monty goes about spending money like a champ. He throws parties and takes his pals on a cruise to Europe and so forth. Along the way, he has some set backs, in that the money isn't disappearing fast enough. For example, he was doing a nice job of losing money in Monte Carlo, when, suddenly his luck changed and he ended up winning a rather large sum.

Well, it's a light, frothy, amusing tale, but somewhat fun. It also dragged me further into a reading rabbit hole. It seems that Monty was a long time friend with Peggy Gray. As children they used to sneak up into the attic and read the books of Oliver Optic to each other. So, of course, I had to read some Oliver Optic. Then too, on the cruise, we have Monty shut up in his state room when in rushed Peggy for some reason or another. But, at the moment of Peggy's entering, Monty was reading a book, The Intrusions of Peggy, so of course I had to read that one as well.

Anyway, was an ok read, if not a great classic.

( )

Far fetched plot but quite a lot of fun. Not as silly as Wodehouse but a similar sense of humor. ( )

I think I was predisposed to like this book. I saw the movie when I was a kid. As always things aren't exactly like they were in the movie, they can't be. The book was written originally in 1902 and the movie I remember was not made until 1985. Obviously there were many changes and advancements in 83 years. Still the main plot is the same.

Young Brewster is trying to dispose of a million dollars without donating any of it, or acquiring assets with it. He finds it to be a harder challenge than he expected. My favorite line in the book Brewster is saying something about the 60 lbs he lost and the hair that has gone gray while he tried to accomplish the goal of disposing of so much money.

It has been a fun read and I would recommend it as light reading. ( )

My first Gutenburg/ ebook read.

A humorous premise, and enjoyable enough. More a historical experience than anything.

Cannot remember seeing but I know of the Richard Prior movie but the earlier movie versions sound like. More fun.

Big ship

August 2014 ( )

A delightful story. How they got the dreadful Richard Pryor movie out of this, I don't know. I really enjoyed it. ( )