The Chronicles of Clovis

By: Hector Hugh Munro (Saki)

Narrated by: Cathy Dobson

Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's Summary

A masterful collection of 28 short stories by Edwardian satirist Hector Hugh Munro, who wrote under the pseudonym “Saki”. The Chronicles of Clovis includes many of Saki’s best known tales, exemplifying his witty and multi-layered storytelling, satirizing the habits and morals of British society of his day.

• Esme The Match-Maker Tobermory
• Mrs. Packletide's Tiger
• The Stampeding of Lady Bastable
• The Background Hermann the Irascible
• The Unrest-Cure
• The Jesting of Arlington Stringham
• Sredni Vashtar
• Adrian The Chaplet
• The Quest
• Wratislav
• The Easter Egg
• Filboid Studge
• The Music on the Hill
• The Story of St. Vespaluus
• The Way to the Dairy
• The Peace Offering
• The Peace of Mowsle Barton
• The Talking-out of Tarrington
• The Hounds of Fate
• The Recessional
• A Matter of Sentiment
• The Secret Sin of Septimus Brope
• Ministers of Grace
• The Remoulding of Groby Lington

©2011 Red Door Audiobooks (P)2011 Red Door Audiobooks

Saki's always a treat

Would you listen to The Chronicles of Clovis again? Why?

Probably not.

What other book might you compare The Chronicles of Clovis to and why?

Many other very British and very funny authors. Think PG Wodehouse, early Evelyn Waugh, Jerome K. Jerome.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The choice of a female narrator for the male POV character jarred. I think I was spoiled by hearing the Stephen Fry Reads Saki stories first. That set very high expectations. There was nothing wrong with the narration; it was thoroughly professional. It just didn't match up to my expectation. I did listen to the sample, and thought this would not be an issue for me. I was wrong.

Who was the most memorable character of The Chronicles of Clovis and why?

Clovis, of course, as the archly witty POV character, and poor, supplicant Conradin in Srendi Vashtar.

Any additional comments?

I first read these stories probably 40 years ago, and go back to the Saki short stories from time to time over the years. This is literary comfort food.

Gag

People often recommend Saki, and I thought this would be the perfect way to read him, driving in my car when I can't do anything else but listen. It's a dreadful book, beautifully read.

Irritating narration

I could not finish this due to the irritating narration. The inflection was confusing and prevented proper engagement with the narrative. I love the stories so this was a real disappointment.

OK BUT

Struggled to finish, the reader voice was not altogether suited to these stories. The stories are OK but rather dated in a way that is unattractive today.