Description
By: Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
In “Stalky & Co (More Stories)” by Rudyard Kipling, readers are once again transported to the world of Stalky, Beetle, and McTurk, a trio of mischievous and clever schoolboys at a fictional English boarding school.
The collection of stories continues to showcase the boys’ rebellious antics, quick wit, and tight-knit friendship as they navigate the challenges of school life and outsmart their teachers and fellow students. Kipling’s sharp dialogue and vivid descriptions bring the characters to life and immerse readers in the world of late 19th century schoolboys.
While the stories may feel dated in some aspects, with their focus on Victorian-era school rituals and hierarchies, the witty humor and timeless themes of friendship and loyalty make the book engaging and enjoyable for readers of all ages. Overall, “Stalky & Co (More Stories)” is a delightful and entertaining read that will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good old-fashioned schoolboy adventure.
Book Description:
This small collection puts together stories by Kipling that feature the characters from Stalky & Co. but which for some reason were not included in the book Stalky & Co. Of these the more interesting is the first, “Stalky”, which introduces the characters and is full of the humour and understanding of adolescent males and their timeless jostling with adult powers that characterise the stories in Stalky & Co.
“Stalky” was the first of the tales to be written, and was published in 1898, so it is difficult to understand how it came to be omitted from the book in 1899. “Regulus”, while also full of humour, is a more difficult read in an age when a “proper” classical education is no longer something widely experienced.
There are also other stories that cannot be included here because they are still in copyright:
– “The United Idolators” and “The Propagation of Knowledge” in Debits and Credits (1926)
– “The Satisfaction of a Gentleman” in The Complete Stalky & Co (1929).
There is also another “Scylla and Charybdis”, unpublished in Kipling’s day, and only made available recently that although not copyright in the USA cannot be included because we do not have access to the manuscript, only an edited edition (which itself is subject to copyright).
If you enjoyed Stalky & Co you will probably enjoy these additional stories.(Introduction by Tim Bulkeley)
