The Complete Saki (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)
by H. H. Munro
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Book Summary Information
Author: H. H. MunroEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1998-05-01
ISBN: 0141180781
Number of pages: 960
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Book Reviews of The Complete Saki (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)
Book Review: The short story master
Summary: 5 Stars
Ah, Saki. I am currently purchasing my third copy of this Complete Works edition, and I highly doubt this will be the last. Saki is the sort of author where, once you identify a person who would appreciate his humor, it's impossible to keep yourself from going out and getting them a collection of his stories, or giving them your current copy and having to go out and buying a new one.
At his best (his short stories) he is cutting, incisive, yet just compassionate enough with his subjects to keep them human. Whether he is deconstructing turn-of-the-century English foibles in "Tobermory" (the most frequently anthologized of his short stories), where a cat learns to speak and proceeds to spill the secrets of all members of the previously uneventful dinner party, or simply building up to a plot-twist conclusion that leaves you shaking your head and laughing (as in "The Open Window"), each of his stories is a quick read that you'll probably find yourself re-reading soon afterwards.
His novels (also included here) are worth reading if you love the short stories, but don't have quite the same verve. "The Unbearable Bassington" is the strongest, and basically takes the archetypal Saki male lead (other examples being Reginald and Clovis Sangrail) and develops him over a full short novel - the moments of greatness that are frequent in his short story are a bit more spread out here, probably a natural consequence of the greater length.
And finally, we have his plays. These are, in comparison to his short stories, quite weak - the characters aren't memorable, the dialogue isn't credible, and the conclusions aren't surprising and/or satisfying. Their inclusion here seems to be more for completeness than anything else.
Overall, this is (as the title says) pretty much all the Saki you could ask for, except perhaps his Russian history book published still under his real name (H. H. Munro) - hardly a glaring omission. Read a few of his stories online and, if they catch your attention, this book will become your new nightstand companion.
Summary of The Complete Saki (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)
"This edition first published by Doubleday & Company Inc., 1976"--T.p. verso.Classics Books
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