When William Came

Saki, 1870-1916Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.9

Word count: 291K words
Chapters: 30

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.When William Came by SakiAuthor: Saki, 1870-1916,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Dec 31, 2004

Editor's review

When William Came is one of Saki's few full-length novels. Set in a London after a hypothetical German conquest of Britain, it depicts daily life and human nature in an occupied society with a cold, ironic touch. Its value lies not in battle scenes but in its close observation of obedience, respectability and national psychology, with its satirical edge hidden in light dialogue and shifts of scene. For readers familiar with Saki's short stories, this novel shows his ability to expand his witty epigrams into a whole structure; for those interested in Edwardian literature and the alternate-history tradition, it is also an interesting text. While reading, note how the author uses social occasions, club chatter and domestic trivia to reflect the political situation; that understated irony is the most rewarding part of the book. As a public-domain e-book, it is suitable as supplementary material for study or leisure reading rather than as a popular novel seeking plot excitement.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy British satirical literature and want to know Saki's longer fiction
Readers interested in alternate history and the social atmosphere of the Edwardian era
Teachers and students studying narratives of national crisis in English literature
English learners who want to use a public-domain e-text for extracurricular reading

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting war action scenes and strong plot momentum
Readers unaccustomed to slow-paced social satire and subtle irony
Beginners who need a Chinese translation or detailed notes for support

Reading tips

First read one or two of Saki's short stories to get used to his ironic tone before starting the novel.
While reading, jot down the power relations in social scenes to better grasp the target of the satire.
Consult background material on Edwardian Britain to understand the real-world shadow behind the hypothetical setting.
Read the English original chapter by chapter at a slow pace; for long sentences, first clarify the positions of both sides in the dialogue.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a war novel?

It is not a war novel centered on battlefields, but a satirical work that imagines a German occupation of Britain and depicts daily life and changes in human nature in London society. The focus is on obedience and respectability in social settings, not on combat.

Can I read it directly without having read other works by Saki?

Yes. This novel stands relatively on its own, but Saki's style is known for subtle irony, and reading a few short stories first helps you get used to the tone. If you read only the novel, slow down and pay attention to what is implied in the dialogue.

Is this edition suitable for English learners?

As a public-domain English e-book, it can be used for extensive reading, but the text contains period vocabulary and social implications that may be difficult for beginners. It is best for those with intermediate or higher English reading ability, or used with a dictionary and background material.

Related on WeRead

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Saki, 1870-1916 Author

Saki (1870–1916) is the pen name of a British short-story writer whose real name and biographical details are only limitedly documented in publicly available sources. Judging from the nine works held in the collection, his output consists mainly of short stories, along with satirical longer fiction and parody, including Beasts and Super-Beasts, The Chronicles of Clovis, Reginald, Reginald in Russia, and Other Sketches, The Unbearable Bassington, The Toys of Peace, and Other Papers, When William Came, and The Westminster Alice. These works are mostly set in Edwardian English society and are written in a light but sharp style, making use of unexpected twists and black humor; through witty dialogue and absurd situations they often satirize the hypocrisy and manners of the upper classes. His distinctive style holds a clear place in the tradition of the satirical short story and has had some influence on later English comic literature.