| Author |
Saki, 1870-1916 |
| Title |
Beasts and Super-Beasts
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 67.8 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.
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| Contents |
The she-wolf -- Laura -- The boar-pig -- The Brogue -- The hen -- The open window -- The treasure-ship -- The cobweb -- The lull -- The unkindest blow -- The romancers -- The Schartz-Metterklume method -- The seventh pullet -- The blind spot -- Dusk -- A touch of realism -- Cousin Teresa -- The Yarkand manner -- The Byzantine omelette -- The Feast of Nemesis -- The dreamer -- The quince tree -- The forbidden buzzards -- The stake -- Clovis on parental responsibilities -- A holiday task -- The stalled ox -- The story-teller -- A defensive diamond -- The elk -- Down pens -- The name-day -- The lumber room -- Fur -- The philanthropist and the happy cat -- On approval.
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| Credits |
Transcribed from the 1914 John Lane, The Bodley Head edition by David Price
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| Summary |
"Beasts and Super-Beasts" by H. H. Munro, known as Saki, is a collection of short stories likely written during the late 19th century. The stories often feature whimsical and satirical elements intertwined with themes of nature, magic, and human folly, showcasing Saki's signature dark humor and clever narrative style. Key characters, such as Leonard Bilsiter, who dabbles in mysterious esoteric powers, and Mary Hampton, engage in fanciful discussions about transformation and the unseen forces that govern their world. The opening of the collection introduces the character of Leonard Bilsiter, who struggles to capture the attention and intrigue of his peers through his claims of supernatural abilities. Leonard’s visit to a house party leads to humorous exchanges about his supposed powers, particularly one where he is challenged to turn Mary Hampton into a "she-wolf." As the narrative unfolds, the atmosphere shifts from lighthearted banter to chaos when a real wolf unexpectedly appears in place of Mary, inciting panic among the guests. This clever mix of absurdity and suspense sets the tone for Saki's exploration of the unpredictable nature of life and the folly of human beliefs, establishing a captivating entry point into the anthology. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
Humorous stories
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| Subject |
Supernatural -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Short stories, English
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
269 |
| Release Date |
May 1, 1995 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Dec 26, 2011 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
574 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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