Tobermory | Saki (H. H. Munro) | A Bitesized Audio Production

In Saki's miniature masterpiece, Lady Blemley has invited clever Mr. Cornelius Appin to join her weekend party in the hope that he might contribute towards the entertainment. She finds he delivers rather more than she bargained for...

A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.

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Hector Hugh Munro (1870–1916), better known by his pen names Saki or H. H. Munro, was a British author who became perhaps the greatest master of the short story form in English. He was born in Burma, then part of British India, where his father was an Inspector General for the Imperial Police, but following the death of his mother when he was just two years old Hector and his siblings were sent home to England, to live in Devon with his paternal grandmother and two maiden aunts. The aunts (Augusta and Charlotte) were apparently strict and austere and provided much material for future character studies in Saki's satires. After some 10 years or so, Hector eventually "escaped" to boarding school. In his early 20s he followed his father's footsteps and enrolled in the Indian Imperial Police, but was invalided home with fever after little over a year. Turning to writing to make his living, Munro began working as a journalist in the late 1890s. He wrote countless pieces for magazine and newspaper publication, and took up the pen name Saki around 1900. His always witty – and sometimes macabre – stories established his reputation as one of the greatest satirists of the Edwardian era. He also worked as a sketchwriter for publications including the Daily Express and the Morning Post, where he was a foreign correspondent. He enlisted in World War I, despite being officially over-age in 1914, and was killed by a sniper while sheltering in a shell hole during the Battle of the Ancre in November 1916. His burial place is unknown.

Tobermory was first published in the Westminster Gazette on November 27, 1909. It was later collected in the 1911 anthology The Chronicles of Clovis.

Recording © Bitesized Audio 2020.

[thewildbirds]

Genius. Thank you Saki. Thank you Simon.

[roddmatsui]

One of my favorite comic stories from the old days. I remember having different volumes of Munro in the 1970s, because paperbacks were cheap and available.

[voluntaryismistheanswer]

My son was tickled that I could recite choice passages on command, lol. What a wordsmith was HH Munro!

[linus]

I had not heard this story. It made me laugh out loud, to the consternation of my companion doggie. I applaud your masterful reading of this very enjoyable piece.

[shelleymarquis]

I never fail to find soothing civility and exquisite courtliness from you, dear Simon.

If you are not as kind as you seem to be, never let me know.

I feel I could have coffee with you and never once be aware of one of my many gaffes and indescretions.

I've heard it said that the soul of good manners is to fail to notice the lack of polish in other's manners.

Not having been to finishing school, I often feel judged wanting in social situations and I am totally lacking in small talk as well as the ability to pick up on subtle cues among the "better people" with whom I am occasionally in company.

You make me feel as though you would rescue me with kindness and grace so natural as to be invisible, and even appear to enjoy my company.

Those are arts that are disappearing faster than public courtesy. We shy, clumsy people need more like you. Just knowing you're in the world makes my life easier. Thats a lot to get from listening to a story. I must be sentimental tonight. This January seems the longest ever. So thank you.

I wish you all you wish for yourself, with all the heart I have left. 🌹

[PrimoLife]

Clovis’s deadpanned statement of Tobermory being at the local paper making his statement produced an audible chuckle from me! As well as the final sentence of Clovis regarding the German irregular verbs as the possible reason of Cornelius’s demise! Thanks for the giggles!

[tracytaylor]

One of my favourite stories. Imagine what our beloved pets would say about us if they could!

[peachypie]

Can't believe I've never read anything by this man and I'm ancient.Thank you so much, loved it, very entertaining and beautifully read.I am happily hooked.

[mickho]

Thank you for this: one of my favourite Saki short stories. I always wanted to hear what the cat Tobermory would sound like!

[Freyathrith]

Delicious reading of a delicious story. Thank you, Simon!

[TheMrCougarful]

Brilliant and funny. I am happy to see my people being aptly represented.

[gohboy]

I am trying to catch up on all of Simon's stories, and I was giggling away as I was listened. You have done justice to Saki' s dead pan humor.👍👍💯

[ImCarolB]

This is a brilliant story! Exactly what I'd expect from a cat.

[vozamaraktv-art]

'The Interlopers', and 'Gabriel-Ernest' are my favourite stories by Saki.
I have a book that has 22 stories of Saki. It had 'Tobermory' too. 🙂

[rameyzamora]

I forgot how hilarious this story was!! Thank you for the gift.

[ruthmcpherson]

So glad I happened upon this story. Well read and very entertaining. Thank you.

[tomhaskett]

"One does not usually discuss such matters in public" said Tobermory, frigidly

[samann]

I wait anxiously for a new story from you and get so excited when you post a new one! You’re my favorite storyteller telling my favorite kind of stories and I want you to know how very happy they make me, thank you so much. (And if you need to throw in an ad to keep em’ coming, no problem-you’ll hear no complaints from me!)

[JD-cwqg]

fantastic, not sure how I missed this one, its fabulous. Love the humour. Bravo Simon. Love the thumbnail pic too. Beautiful cat.

[synesthete]

You have the perfect voice and intonation for Tobermory! 😂😂