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

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 ...

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.

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)

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 ...

Dive into a delightful collection of short stories by the renowned humorist F. Anstey, a celebrated writer for Punch magazine. These tales range from the whimsically funny to the eerily thought-provoking, offering a unique blend of humor and insight that will captivate your imagination. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

F. Anstey, writing under the pseudonym Thomas Anstey Guthrie, was a gifted Londoner who, despite his legal training, found fame as a creator of witty pieces for Punch and humorous novels. Mr. Punchs Model Music Hall is a delightful compilation of his comedic works crafted for Punch, encompassing both songs and dramas. True to his style, Anstey masterfully captured the spirit of his era, amplifying the absurdities of life to entertain and provoke thoughtful commentary. - Summary by Don W. Jenkins

In Mr. Punchs Pocket Ibsen, experience a delightful twist on five of Henrik Ibsens renowned tragedies through witty comic parodies that originally graced the pages of Punch, the iconic British humor magazine. The author playfully acknowledges the absence of the originals enigmatic depth and the lighter touch on allegorical symbolism, while humorously noting that the characters may not be as wildly irrational as real-life individuals often are. These charming adaptations invite readers to embrace the quirks of Ibsens world with a fresh perspective. LibriVox has brought to life full-cast ...

In Giants Robe, we follow Mark Ashburn, a disillusioned young teacher at St. Peters Public School for boys, a place he finds himself at odds with. Aspiring to make a name for himself in the literary world, Mark faces a relentless tide of mediocrity and rejection. Everything changes when he reconnects with Vincent, an old friend who is preparing for a journey to his fathers plantation in Ceylon. Vincent asks Mark for a seemingly harmless favor, and in a moment of impulsive courage, Mark agrees—unaware of the profound consequences that await him. This fateful decision spirals into a web of ...

F. Anstey, the pen name of Thomas Anstey Guthrie, was a witty London writer whose humorous flair won him acclaim in the pages of Punch and beyond. In Voces Populi, a delightful collection of his best Punch pieces, Anstey explores a variety of amusing scenarios, from the antics of a fraudulent conjuror to a comical dispute over a ladys oversized, obstructive hat at the music hall. Join Don W. Jenkins as he brings this masterful collection to life.

Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, Vice Versa tells the whimsical tale of businessman Paul Bultitude and his anxious son, Dick. As Dick prepares to leave for a daunting boarding school ruled by the fearsome headmaster Dr. Grimstone, his fathers offhand remark that schooldays are the best years of a boys life sparks an unexpected twist. With the help of a magical stone from an uncle in India that grants wishes, they find themselves swapped in body and spirit. Now, Mr. Bultitude must navigate the challenges of school life while Dick takes the helm of his fathers business in the ...

Dive into the whimsical world of In Brief Authority, a satirical comedy from 1915 that follows a nouveau riche British family and their quirky nanny as they embark on an extraordinary adventure to Maerchenland, the enchanting land of Fairy Tales. One fateful evening, they find themselves transported in a car drawn by storks, where the familys snobbish matron is mistakenly crowned Queen. Eager to impose her British social customs, she stirs up delightful chaos among the kingdoms gnomes, giants, and a dragon. As the royal family introduces concepts like capitalism and golf, tensions rise when ...

Dive into a delightful collection of ten humorous short stories that will tickle your funny bone and brighten your day. Join Carolin as she narrates these whimsical tales that are sure to entertain and amuse.

Join Peter Tourmalin on an adventurous sea voyage back to England from Australia, as he eagerly anticipates reuniting with his fiancée. However, the long journey quickly turns tedious, exacerbated by the time difference that stretches his boredom. When Peter discovers an intriguing opportunity to deposit his spare time into an account with the Anglo-Australian Joint Stock Time Bank, Limited, he jumps at the chance. This unique account allows him to save his spare moments for future enjoyment, easily withdrawing them whenever he needs a break by presenting a time cheque to any clock. Sounds...

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.

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.

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.

'The Magic H's' is a humorous tale of a young, rich, eligible and attractive young aristocrat: Harald Hipperholme. Tragically, the young man suffers a speech impediment - he is unable to pronounce the letter H - which in polite London society amounts to social death. The young earl sounds more like a Cockney without his H's. He resorts in the first place to elocution lessons but with no success. Then he tries black magic and conjures up a demon who agrees to help him. But of course there is a terrible catch to the deal....

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

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