Showing results by author "Hector Munro" in All Categories

Edwardian satirist Hector Hugh Munro (1870-1916), who wrote under the pseudonym "Saki" tells the story of an unusual three-way domestic dispute between Egbert, his wife Lady Anne, and Don Tarquinio the cat. As often happens with Saki, there is a cynical twist at the end.

Unknowingly, a man arrives on the anniversary of the “Great Tragedy” that led to his host having her large French window wide open onto the lawn on an October afternoon in the vain hope that her husband and brothers - whom he learns have been dead three years - will return through it. To his horror, the man shares in the terrors of the day.

Bertie Thropplestance stands to inherit a vast fortune from his wealthy but indomitable grandmother, a fact which has not escaped the notice of every mother of a marriageable girl in the county. But old Mrs. Thropplestance has her own ideas of a suitable mate for her grandson, and even when he romantically rescues Dora Yonelet from a rampaging elk, this cuts little ice with the dowager. The elk, however, has its own ideas....

When Theophil Eshley, the bovine painter, is called upon by his neighbour Adela Pingsford to remove a stray ox from her garden things go inevitably and comically wrong. No oxen are harmed in the course of this story, but sadly the same cannot be said of assorted chrysanthemums, drawing rooms and egos.

When Mary Hampton challenges Leonard Bilsiter to deploy his self-proclaimed Siberian magic powers to transform her into a she-wolf, nobody reckons with Clovis's cunning. Mrs. Hampton's disappearance in an Azalea bush and the coincidental appearance of a female wolf in exactly the same part of the conservatory during coffee causes considerable consternation among the house guests - with the usual hilarious results. Ingenious!

Finding himself trapped in a compartment with a set of unruly children, the Storyteller decides to take revenge by narrating a tale with a most immoral twist. This is a wonderful example of Hector Hugh Munro’s witty and multi-layered storytelling, satirizing British Edwardian society. The listener is drawn into the story along with the children and is equally horrified and delighted by the unexpected ending.

A quartet of short stories by Britain’s raconteur supreme, Hector Hugh Munro, better known under his pseudonym “Saki”. This collection brings together four of his most curious and amusing tales, all of which involve animals. Saki’s satirical take on the morals and eccentricities of Edwardian society, combined with a compelling narrative and an unexpected ending draw keep the reader hanging on until the very last word.

Conradin is a sickly and introverted child who hates his guardian, Mrs. De Ropp. When she takes away his pet hen and threatens to do the same with his pole-cat, whom he worships like a god, Conradin makes a special prayer and his sinister wish is answered. Hector Hugh Munro (aka Saki) at his most sinister and macabre. Superb!

A quartet of short stories by the British master of the macabre, Hector Hugh Munro, better known under his pseudonym “Saki”. This collection brings together four of his most macabre tales, all of which will surprise the listener with an uncanny twist at the end.

A quartet of short stories by the mastermind of practical jokes, Hector Hugh Munro, better known under his pseudonym “Saki”. This collection brings together four of his most ingenious tales, all of which involve one character playing a prank on the others. The results range from the comic to the macabre… but all are brilliantly narrated with Saki’s superb ironic wit. The Stampeding of Lady Bastable.

The Baroness recounts a hunting story with a twist. Instead of a fox, the quarry turns out to be an escaped hyena, which adopts her and Constance Broddle and leads them to cover up a heinous killing. Hector Hugh Munro at his most macabre.

Mrs. Packletide is determined to shoot a tiger in order to get one up on her arch rival Loona Bimberton. In a comical and at times ironic sequence of events, Mrs. Packletide finds herself at the mercy of another rival, just when she had least expected it. Hector Hugh Munro at his most witty and ironic. A masterpiece!

Framton Nuttel pays an unannounced call on Mrs. Sappleton and finds himself in the midst of a macabre spectacle which is not as it seems. Hector Hugh Munro’s genius storytelling at its best.

The stories in this collection are from The Chronicles of Clovis (1911) and Beast and Superbeasts (1914).

A glittering collection of 36 short stories by Edwardian satirist Hector Hugh Munro, who wrote under the pseudonym "Saki". Beasts And Super-Beasts includes many of Saki's best loved tales, exemplifying his witty and multi-layered storytelling, satirizing the habits and morals of British society of his day.

Genuinely chilling narratives of paranormal phenomena, the returning dead, uncanny apparitions, sinister happenings and inexplicable events which make your blood run cold. Listen in the dark... if you dare!