In Which I Learn I'm Not Saki Enough
Hello there. Hope you're feeling well today.
There are two things that need explaining before I chat properly about the latest book I've read.
Firstly I've always considered myself a general reader. And what that means is that you're vaguely aware of particular writers but on the principle of so many books and so little time have not gotten round to reading them. For example as a football fan I've heard of Shamrock Rovers but until I watch them play I don't have a real opinion on the club.
Secondly with Amazon's Kindle (I don't know whether it's the same with other ebooks) you can download for free tons of out of print books. This I have done with vacuum cleaner like abandon, not bothering to find out about the plot if they've been written by an author I've heard of and there is no cover to give you an idea
And so we come to When William Came by Saki.
To me the best bits in the entire book are the first two chapters. The first is of a woman, Cicely who though married (her husband is abroad recovering from a war) is seemingly about to indulge in a relationship with a younger man (The last bit is not mentioned but implied - well to me anyway).
Chapter two we're introduced to the husband, Yeovil and we learn that Britain has been conquered by Germany ruled by Kaiser Wilhelm (the William of the title). For the reasons explained above this was a complete surprise to me and seemingly made the book interesting. The juxtaposition of the personal and political dramas made it all potentially a good read.
Alas the reality was not as great.
There are various reasons why this novel is not a success reading it in 2024. Firstly whilst it might have been relevant in 1913 we know now that this future did not occur. And are we really surprised that it's so out of date? A German monarchist invasion of Britain? Ha! That happened many decades earlier.
Secondly Saki's politics are clearly Conservative. Laughably so. There is more than one part of the book where part of the blame for the invasion is put on the supposedly apathetic British working class. This is nothing more than right wing twaddle. Indeed Saki undermines his own case by showing that those who try to ingratiate themselves with the invaders are the wealthy.
But ultimately the greatest argument against the book is that nothing much really happens. You expect some great uplifting ending and yet realise well towards the end that it's going nowhere. All copies of this book should be wiped with water so the reader gets the idea of what a damp squib it truly is.
Also mention needs to be made that there is an anti-Semitic remark in this book. It is slight and of the patronising variety but it is there. Unabashed and unafraid.
Ultimately a waste of time and the money I didn't spend on it.
Until the next time.