Showing results by author "F. Anstey" in All Categories

This book collects seven short stories by some of England's best turn-of-the-(last)-century's writers. The collection begins with the humor of J. M. Barrie, of Peter Pan fame. A later and equally humorous story is by Israel Zangwill, also widely known for his exposures of social and economic problems. The immensely popular Marie Corelli’s contribution is the last, and among the most moving. (NB: Though a less prominent writer than some represented here, Corelli was so popular that her literary sales exceeded those of Arthur Conan Doyle, H. G. Wells and Rudyard Kipling – combined.) In short...

The pompous businessman Paul Bultitude is farewelling his son who is about to set off for his first year at boarding school. Due to the action of a magical stone, the personalities of each are switched into the body of the other. The businessman is forced to relive the experiences of his schoolboy days and the boy takes charge of his father's business.

When a young man, freshly engaged, finds himself wandering through an amusement garden with an old flame—rather than his fiancée—its no surprise that old feelings resurface. As they escape the pulsating heat of the dance floor for a stroll among the gardens trees, they stumble upon a statue of a woman of extraordinary beauty, her hands impossibly small. In a moment of playful comparison, the young man attempts to prove that his absent fiancée has even smaller hands. To his astonishment, the engagement ring he carries slips easily onto the stone finger, but refuses to come off. What ...

Thomas Anstey Guthrie (1856-1934) was an English novelist and journalist who wrote his comic novels and humorous short stories under the pseudonym F. Anstey. 'A Bohemian Bag' is the story of a piece of luggage with a perverse mind of its own. The Gladstone bag in question goes on its own travels every time it is left in the care of a railway porter or station master...usually catching up with its hapless owner only days later.

A delightful collection of light-hearted classic stories from some of the greatest Victorian and Edwardian-era writers.

Thomas Anstey Guthrie (1856-1934) was an English novelist and journalist who wrote his comic novels and humorous short stories under the pseudonym F. Anstey. 'At a Moment's Notice' is the amusing tale of a young man who is involved in a cab accident on Pall Mall. When he comes to after the crash, he has mysteriously been transformed into an organ grinder's monkey. His adventures in his new state are extraordinary and hilarious.

A superb collection of classic short stories showcasing the variety, depth and imagination of great Victorian writers.

From a young age, Stella Maberly has grappled with her fierce willfulness and jealousy, all while harboring an unwavering belief in her own superiority. Although she can be warm and friendly, her darker impulses often sabotage her relationships, leaving her to navigate the depths of loneliness and despair. Convinced that her best friend Evelyn is possessed by an evil spirit, Stellas paranoia spirals into tragedy. In this poignant statement, she reflects on the chain of events that have led her to this moment. Was the evil real or merely a figment of her imagination? Who truly bears the burden ...

This captivating collection showcases seven short stories from some of Englands finest writers of the turn-of-the-century. It opens with the delightful humor of J. M. Barrie, renowned for his creation of Peter Pan. Following Barrie, Israel Zangwill offers another witty tale, known for his keen insights into social and economic issues. The final contribution comes from the immensely popular Marie Corelli, whose poignant storytelling resonates deeply. Despite being less recognized than some of her contemporaries, Corellis literary sales surpassed those of Arthur Conan Doyle, H. G. Wells, and ...

What unfolds when a down-on-his-luck man stumbles upon a brass bottle and inadvertently releases the djinni trapped inside? Expect a whirlwind of misunderstandings, cultural clashes, and laughter. Will the well-meaning djinni provide the assistance his new master desperately seeks, or will his efforts spiral into chaos? (Summary by Guero)

Mark Ashburn is a young teacher at St. Peter's Public School for boys, although he isn't particularly fond of boys. His dream is to make his name in the literary world, but mediocrity and rejection meet him at every turn. Dejected, he meets up with Vincent, an old friend, who is about to travel to his father's plantation in Ceylon and asks a favor of Mark.

A superb anthology of 40 great classic humorous stories.

'Sparkling Biacrene' is a humorous story about a young chemist who invents a marvellous new type of nonalcoholic drink based on a marvellous Amazonian herb with astounding properties. He names his invention 'Sparkling Biacrene' and excitedly invites his uncle to dinner with his employer and a manufacturer of soda waters to discuss the commercial potential of the drink.

A sumptuous collection of over 60 short stories by some of the world's greatest writers. 'The Hoop' by Fedor Sologub, 'The Last Leaf' by O. Henry, 'The Man Who Hated Aspidistras' by W. F. Harvey, 'The Conjurer' by Richard Middleton, 'The End of a Show' by Barry Pain, 'The Devil of the Marsh' by H. B. Marriott-Watson, 'The First of April' by A. J. Alan, 'The Everlasting Club' by Arthur Gray, 'The Apple Tree' by Katherine Mansfield.

Thomas Anstey Guthrie (1856-1934) was an English novelist and journalist who wrote his comic novels and humorous short stories under the pseudonym F. Anstey.This collection presents six of his most popular and well known tales: 'The Talking Horse', 'The Black Poodle', 'An Undergraduate's Aunt', 'The Gull', 'Caveat Emptor', 'Mrs. Brassington-Claypott's Children's Party'.

Thomas Anstey Guthrie (1856-1934) was an English novelist and journalist who wrote his comic novels under the pseudonym F. Anstey. 'Mrs. Brassington-Claypott's Children's Party' is a humorous tale of a family trying to keep up with their social set in hosting a children's party. Ambitious and snobbish but somewhat restricted financially, Mrs. Brassington-Claypott agrees to her maid's recommendation of a conjurer with whom she is acquainted....

Thomas Anstey Guthrie (1856-1934) was an English novelist and journalist who wrote his comic novels under the pseudonym F. Anstey. 'Caveat Emptor' is a humorous story of a bric-a-brac collector who finds an antique shop in a little German town which appears to be selling the most extraordinary treasures at rock-bottom prices.

Thomas Anstey Guthrie (1856-1934) was an English novelist and journalist who wrote his comic novels under the pseudonym F. Anstey. "The Gull" is a strange tale about a man whose sweetheart, on setting sail for Guernsey one evening, romantically promises him that if she should die, she will return to him as a white dove. Next morning he awakes to find a large grey gull has flown into his bedroom overnight....

A delightful collection of humorous classic tales by some of the world's greatest racconteurs.

When P.G. Wodehouse wrote: "It is no use telling me there are bad aunts and good aunts. At the core they are all alike. Sooner or later out pops the cloven hoof." he might as well have been describing poor Francis Flushington's dilemma.