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kitsuneheart's review against another edition
4.0
The dangers of setting music on repeat. Or, "The Salt and Pepper Diner, classical version." A chef loses it after the in-house band plays a particular song too many times. Something we can all relate to. Short and absurd, but worthy of Saki.
mishalina's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
slippy_underfoot's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. So funny, and beautifully written. Re-read it every few years and still find it delightful and somehow still surprising. Pure pleasure.
cartophilus's review against another edition
4.0
Saki is great. His stories combine the wit of Wilde with a savage bleakness. Satire and dark humor almost never get any better. I perhaps wouldn't read the whole thing again, but the better known short stories and The Unbearable Bassington absolutely must not be missed.
ruairidh's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
his short stories are so often precisely sized drops of eavesdropping on situations that in themselves aren't overly dramatic, but he tweaks the dialogue just so and slips in such delicious one-liners. in the whole book only a couple of short stories were meh for me. the final play was almost an apogee of this type, but the novelette about an imagined invasion of britain was very different. there was a wistful sadness about a whole people and a whole land, not for something sudden but for a change over a long period of time. although less juicy, i think that was the greatest work of his in this book
johnbeeler's review against another edition
5.0
I read this when working in a call center, and despite its age I was surprised to catch myself laughing out loud mid-call.
I could be completely revealing my ignorance of British literature, but I wonder if one could consider Saki England's "Mark Twain." Maybe less political...
Here's a few gems:
"A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a ton of explanation."
"Every reformation must have its victims. You can't expect the fatted calf to share the enthusiasm of the angels over the prodigal's return."
I could be completely revealing my ignorance of British literature, but I wonder if one could consider Saki England's "Mark Twain." Maybe less political...
Here's a few gems:
"A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a ton of explanation."
"Every reformation must have its victims. You can't expect the fatted calf to share the enthusiasm of the angels over the prodigal's return."
msjenne's review against another edition
5.0
If you haven't read Saki, you should do so immediately. He is sort of like an evil PG Wodehouse.
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