Comments | strange_complex: 10. H.H. Munro, aka Saki (1904), Reginald

strange_complex

10. H.H. Munro, aka Saki (1904), Reginald

Aug 17, 2007 13:08

Thanks to this site, I have taken to reading short stories by Saki while eating my lunch-time sandwiches. I've enjoyed the odd Saki story in the past (my favourite probably being The Stalled Ox), but the Square Eye site offers the opportunity to read them systematically, collection by collection, so I have now read the entirety of Reginald - his ( Read more... )

lunchtime, books read 2007, reviews, books

Comments 14

sushidog August 17 2007, 12:22:04 UTC

Saki is wonderful; I think The Open Window may possibly be the best short story in the English language, although Sredni Vashtar gives it a run for its money.

strange_complex August 17 2007, 12:41:10 UTC

I haven't got to either of those yet, but I'm pretty much determined to work my way through his entire oeuvre eventually.

(The comment has been removed)

strange_complex August 17 2007, 12:42:37 UTC

Ah, I wish I'd know of them then! I didn't even discover Wodehouse until I was about 15. Mind you, Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett served the same purpose pretty effectively.

dedbutdrmng August 17 2007, 13:24:14 UTC

I've got a collection of Saki to read right here so I am now looking forward to it tremendously.

You might like WIlliam Hope-Hodgeson's wonderful (and frankly terrifying) Carnacki stories

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Casebook-Carnacki-Wordsworth-Mystery-Supernatural/dp/1840225297

strange_complex August 17 2007, 13:28:49 UTC

Ooh, those look great! Nothing like turn-of-the-century ghost stories. :-)

dedbutdrmng August 17 2007, 13:32:02 UTC

There really odd. Sort of lovecrafty who/whatdunnits. But he's a much better writer than lovecraft (Not in lovecraft's world but that sort of idea).

There's one about a Hog that is the most terrifying thing I've ever read. I have to read it and then sleep with the lights on

mrkgnao August 17 2007, 15:30:00 UTC

Oh I love Saki! His language is so sublimely measured.

I prefer Clovis to Reginald, for some arbitrary reason, I don't know why... but they're very similar in many ways.

strange_complex August 17 2007, 16:57:58 UTC

His language is so sublimely measured.

Yes, indeed. It's that which reminds me of Wodehouse, more than the subject-matter.

I haven't tried Clovis yet, but I'll let you know what I think when I do.

rosamicula August 17 2007, 22:23:11 UTC

Ah Clovis is wonderful. I have long been a fan of Saki. He is Woodhouse's evil twin, especially when it comes to aunts. I have a biography of him on my 'to read' pile.

strange_complex August 17 2007, 22:27:32 UTC

Woodhouse's evil twin

Hehe, yes - that's a perfect description! :-)