This is a breathtaking example of an author becoming lost in the convolutions of his own plot. "Too clever by half," and too clever for his own and the reader's good.
One wonders whether all the extraneous subplots were introduced in case they would turn out to be needed, to save time or effort in the final revision process, to impress some reader, or what?
Spelling out the plot points for the reader over and over, this is a suspenseful romance dealing with horse-racing. Not particularly well written, but diverting nevertheless.
A profligate heir returns from South Africa where, instead of making his fortune in the diamond fields, he did so badly he returned to the old, closed up manor house (the estate having been sold off long before) to pick up a few things he'd overlooked when he left so abruptly. His ex-girlfriend's father is indebted to the scoundrel who ruined the hero's chances in S.A. to the point where he's willing to marry his daughter off to him if that will save the estate next door. Neither the bad guy nor his henchman are S.A. millionaires, but they are impersonating them so as to live well on credit until their fiendish horse-racing swindle matures, at which time they will indeed be rich.
As the heroine remarks more than once, this type of melodrama is not found outside of novels.
An unusual collection. Some of the authors are quite well known, but these stories are not.
Why? Because they do not conform to standard short story forms; although they represent Mystery, Suspense, Action, Supernatural, Romance, there is always something lacking: a conclusion, a plot, an explanation...
Makes for quaint reading, the authors are good, but one wonders if these stories were commissioned for this volume, selected according to some editorial principle, or what?
No doubt the title explains it all, but not to me.
Intended to be an object of humor, but in fact exasperating, the protagonist delivers not only some very funny [quite quotable] phrases, but whole passages.
A poor Irish peasant lad decides to leave his homeland and seek his fortune. Again and again, he rises to the peak of prosperity only to be dashed into poverty once more, usually as a consequence of his own actions.
Always optimistic that he will ultimately prevail, the protagonist enjoys a somewhat Pickwickian plot line full of incidents, but a bit short on story arc.
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One wonders whether all the extraneous subplots were introduced in case they would turn out to be needed, to save time or effort in the final revision process, to impress some reader, or what?
Still, an okay book.
A profligate heir returns from South Africa where, instead of making his fortune in the diamond fields, he did so badly he returned to the old, closed up manor house (the estate having been sold off long before) to pick up a few things he'd overlooked when he left so abruptly. His ex-girlfriend's father is indebted to the scoundrel who ruined the hero's chances in S.A. to the point where he's willing to marry his daughter off to him if that will save the estate next door. Neither the bad guy nor his henchman are S.A. millionaires, but they are impersonating them so as to live well on credit until their fiendish horse-racing swindle matures, at which time they will indeed be rich.
As the heroine remarks more than once, this type of melodrama is not found outside of novels.
Why? Because they do not conform to standard short story forms; although they represent Mystery, Suspense, Action, Supernatural, Romance, there is always something lacking: a conclusion, a plot, an explanation...
Makes for quaint reading, the authors are good, but one wonders if these stories were commissioned for this volume, selected according to some editorial principle, or what?
No doubt the title explains it all, but not to me.
Goes on and on and on, then ends rather abruptly.
Always optimistic that he will ultimately prevail, the protagonist enjoys a somewhat Pickwickian plot line full of incidents, but a bit short on story arc.
Very, very funny.
Recommended.
An entertaining collection. Recommended.
See also Volume 2.