The Unbearable Saki

The Unbearable Saki
Author: Sandie Byrne
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 328
Release: 2007-11-15
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 0191527572

Saki is the acknowledged master of the short story. His writing is elegant, economical, and witty, its tone worldly, flippant irreverence delivered in astringent exchanges and epigrams more neat, pointed, and poised even than Wilde's. The deadpan narrative voice allows for the unsentimental recitation of horrors and the comically grotesque, and the generation of guilty laughter at some very un-pc statements. Saki's short stories have been much reprinted as well as adapted for radio, stage, and television, but his novels, The Unbearable Bassington and When William Came, are almost unknown, his journalism and travel writing forgotten, and his plays rarely performed. Sandie Byrne argues that his reputation has been unfairly overshadowed by his predecessor Oscar Wilde, contemporary George Bernard Shaw, and successors P.G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh. In a well-meaning introduction to the Penguin Complete Saki, Noël Coward reinforced the received image of Saki's work as celebrating an Edwardian or even Victorian milieu of privilege, luxury, and affectation; comedies of manners and light satire. Byrne shows that Saki's writing was no nostalgic evocation of a lost golden age, and that he was rarely concerned with the charm and delight Coward describes. His preoccupations were with England, the values of Empire, and the dangerous beauty of the feral ephebe. The threat to the first two of these triggered his alleged metamorphosis from cosmopolitan cynic and dandy-about-town to patriotic, even jingoistic, NCO, in a manner worthy of his blackest humour.

Saki's Cats

Saki's Cats
Author: Saki
Publisher: Renard Press Ltd
Total Pages: 80
Release: 2022-04-26
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1913724174

Saki’s Cats rounds up the tales about cats, big and small, by the undisputed master of the short story. ‘Tobermory’, one of Saki’s most famous pieces, demonstrates the danger that would ensue from granting cats the power of speech – animals have long lurked unseen, eavesdropping, in the background. The tom in ‘The Philanthropist and the Happy Cat’ is the only one to enjoy his meal, as is the leopard in ‘The Guests’. In ‘The Penance’ and ‘Mrs Packletide’s Tiger’, hunters who put cats in their sights are humiliated and blackmailed. ‘The Achievement of the Cat’ considers how cats have come to be served by the human race. In addition to the short stories about cats, Saki’s Cats also collects Saki’s juvenile letters to his sister Ethel about the tiger cub he adopted while living in Burma. The feisty felines of these tales are the only clear winners, and, with a characteristic smirk and dash of his pen, it is Edwardian Society that Saki sends slinking off, tail between its legs. 'His stories and novels appear as delightful and […] sophisticated as they did when he first published them.' Noël Coward

Saki's Plays

Saki's Plays
Author: Saki
Publisher: Renard Press Ltd
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2022-04-26
Genre: Drama
ISBN: 1913724697

The undisputed master of the short story, Saki’s name is synonymous with brilliant writing that satirises Edwardian Society, and his plays were no exception. In his only full-length play, ‘The Watched Pot’, Trevor Bavvel, sole heir to a country estate, is in want of a wife, but must operate under the strict attention of his miserly mother Hortensia. Although wildly neglected today, Saki’s plays met with widespread acclaim in his day, and he was even compared favourably with the great Oscar Wilde. This complete edition of Saki’s plays – the first complete edition ever published – demonstrates the great writer’s prowess as a playwright, and sparkles with the same wit as the short stories that have enchanted generations of readers. 'His stories and novels appear as delightful and […] sophisticated as they did when he first published them.' Noël Coward

A Study Guide for Saki's "Open Window"

A Study Guide for Saki's
Author: Gale, Cengage Learning
Publisher: Gale Cengage Learning
Total Pages: 21
Release: 2016-07-12
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 1410354741

A Study Guide for Saki's "Open Window," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Short Stories for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Short Stories for Students for all of your research needs.

A Study Guide for Saki's "The Storyteller"

A Study Guide for Saki's
Author: Gale, Cengage Learning
Publisher: Gale, Cengage Learning
Total Pages: 30
Release:
Genre: Literary Criticism
ISBN: 1410359417

A Study Guide for Saki's "The Storyteller," excerpted from Gale's acclaimed Short Stories for Students. This concise study guide includes plot summary; character analysis; author biography; study questions; historical context; suggestions for further reading; and much more. For any literature project, trust Short Stories for Students for all of your research needs.

The Complete Works of Saki

The Complete Works of Saki
Author: Saki
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 1333
Release: 2023-11-17
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

The Complete Works of Saki encompasses the exquisite repertoire of H. H. Munro, known by his pen name Saki, presenting a rich tableau of Edwardian society through sharp wit and a masterful blending of cynicism with the absurd. This collection showcases the broad spectrum of Munro's literary prowess, from the intricate satire of upper-class pretensions to the whimsically dark tales that unveil human nature's complexities. Each piece stands as a testament to the depth and diversity of Saki's storytelling, with standout works that exemplify his unparalleled ability to merge comedic brilliance with insightful social commentary. Munros background as a journalist and observer of the social mores of his time significantly influences the thematic and stylistic nuances of his stories. Embedded in the historical and cultural framework of the early 20th century, his writings reflect the tensions and transformations of Edwardian England, capturing the zeitgeist with both levity and precision. The collections coherence lies not just in its thematic unity but in its reflection of Munro's singular visiona vision shaped by his life experiences and literary skill, offering readers a comprehensive view of his oeuvre. This anthology is an indispensable resource for those wishing to explore the intricacies of early 20th-century English literature through the lens of one of its most incisive commentators. Readers are invited to delve into the vibrant world of Saki, where the absurdities of the human condition are laid bare with unparalleled wit and intelligence. The Complete Works of Saki is more than a literary collection; it's a journey through a landscape of satire and surprise, making it a must-read for aficionados and novices alike, eager to explore the multifaceted brilliance of Munros contributions to English literature.

The Complete Short Stories of Saki

The Complete Short Stories of Saki
Author: Saki
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 702
Release: 2023-11-17
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

The Complete Short Stories of Saki encompasses the intricate tapestry of Edwardian society through the incisive and satirical lens of H. H. Munro, known by his pen name Saki. This collection showcases a remarkable diversity in literary style, deploying irony, whimsy, and a biting critique of social pretenses. Each story, from the widely celebrated 'The Open Window' to the less known but equally poignant 'The Interlopers,' serves as a testament to Saki's mastery over the short story form and his unique place in English literature. The anthology stands as a pivotal exploration of human nature, societal norms, and the subtle complexities of the human condition. The backgrounds of Saki, a singular entity in this context, pivot around his experience as a satirist and a commentator on the quirks and darker undercurrents of Edwardian England. His work aligns with the movements of literary modernism and the early twentieth-century critique of societal norms, offering a critique as sharp now as it was a century ago. The melding of his personal history, from his upbringing to his experiences in Burma and as a soldier, informs his work, providing depth and a nuanced understanding of human psychology and social dynamics. This collection presents a unique opportunity to delve into the world of a singular author who has influenced the course of English literature significantly. Readers are invited to explore the multifaceted range of Saki's storytelling, which offers not only entertainment but also a profound educational journey through the contradictions and complexities of early 20th-century British society. The Complete Short Stories of Saki is an indispensable anthology for those who appreciate the wit, wisdom, and piercing insight of one of literatures most enduring voices.