Classic English Short Stories 1930-1955

The years from 1930 to 1955 marked a high point in the fortunes of the English short story. Inevitably World War II left its mark on many of the stories Derek Hudson has collected in this suberb volume, but, he argues in the introduction, that the dominating impression in these English stories...is of humour--not necessarily in the comic sense...but in the sense...of a humorous perspective of life.brThe volume includes stories by such renowned writers as Somerset Maugham, Virginia Woolf, and Evelyn Waugh. Stories by Elizabeth Bowen, Frances Towers, Clemence Dane, Rosamond Lehmann, and A.L. Barker demonstrate that women writers have found the short story form increasingly congenial. C.S. Forester and Graham Greene bring their power of narrative to tragic themes, while Eric Linklater asserts his claim on poetic fantasy. The volume also contains characteristic stories by H.E. Bates, V.S. Pritchett, William Plomer, John Moore, Christopher Sykes, William Sansom, Fred Urquhart, and Nigel Kneale.brEditor's Notebr/brbrAcknowledgementsbr/brbrIntroductionbr/brbr1. The Kite, W. Somerset Maughambr/brbr2. The Duchess and the Jeweller, Virginia Woolfbr/brbr3. The Little Willow, Frances Towersbr/brbr4. The Hostage, C. S. Foresterbr/brbr5. Sealskin Trousers, Eric Linklaterbr/brbr6. The Voice, V. S. Pritchettbr/brbr7. Ever Such a Nice Boy, William Plomerbr/brbr8. On Guard, Evelyn Waughbr/brbr9. The Basement Room, Graham Greenebr/brbr10. The Woman Who Had Imagination, H. E. Batesbr/brbr11. Local Boy Makes Good, John Moorebr/brbr12. The Sacred and the Profane, Christopher Sykesbr/brbr13. The Vertical Ladder, William Sansombr/brbr14. Man About the House, Fred Urquhartbr/brbr15. Mr. Minnenick, A. L. Barkerbr/brbr16. The Putting Away of Uncle Quaggin, Nigel Knealebr/brbr17. Maria, Elizabeth Bowenbr/brbr18. The Dearly Beloved of Benjamin Cobb, Clemence Danebr