When William Came

"When William Came: A Story of London Under the Hohenzollerns" is a satirical novel by Saki, imagining a world where England is conquered by Germany. Published in 1914, just before the outbreak of World War I, the novel explores the social and political consequences of occupation, focusing on the reactions of the English upper class. The story centers on Murrey Yeovil, who returns to London after a long absence to find a city subtly, yet irrevocably, altered.

Saki's sharp wit and keen observations expose the absurdities and compromises of a society adapting to new rulers. Through vivid characters and satirical scenarios, "When William Came" offers a thought-provoking commentary on national identity, cultural assimilation, and the subtle shifts in power dynamics during times of upheaval. The novel remains a compelling read, offering a glimpse into pre-war anxieties and a timeless exploration of human nature under pressure.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

1101150804
When William Came

"When William Came: A Story of London Under the Hohenzollerns" is a satirical novel by Saki, imagining a world where England is conquered by Germany. Published in 1914, just before the outbreak of World War I, the novel explores the social and political consequences of occupation, focusing on the reactions of the English upper class. The story centers on Murrey Yeovil, who returns to London after a long absence to find a city subtly, yet irrevocably, altered.

Saki's sharp wit and keen observations expose the absurdities and compromises of a society adapting to new rulers. Through vivid characters and satirical scenarios, "When William Came" offers a thought-provoking commentary on national identity, cultural assimilation, and the subtle shifts in power dynamics during times of upheaval. The novel remains a compelling read, offering a glimpse into pre-war anxieties and a timeless exploration of human nature under pressure.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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When William Came

When William Came

by Saki
When William Came

When William Came

by Saki

Paperback

$23.95 
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Overview

"When William Came: A Story of London Under the Hohenzollerns" is a satirical novel by Saki, imagining a world where England is conquered by Germany. Published in 1914, just before the outbreak of World War I, the novel explores the social and political consequences of occupation, focusing on the reactions of the English upper class. The story centers on Murrey Yeovil, who returns to London after a long absence to find a city subtly, yet irrevocably, altered.

Saki's sharp wit and keen observations expose the absurdities and compromises of a society adapting to new rulers. Through vivid characters and satirical scenarios, "When William Came" offers a thought-provoking commentary on national identity, cultural assimilation, and the subtle shifts in power dynamics during times of upheaval. The novel remains a compelling read, offering a glimpse into pre-war anxieties and a timeless exploration of human nature under pressure.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781023857130
Publisher: Hutson Street Press
Publication date: 05/22/2025
Pages: 338
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Saki (1870-1916) was the pen name of British novelist and short story writer Hector Hugh Munro. Born in British Burma, Munro was the son of Inspector General Charles Augustus Munro of the Indian Imperial Police and his wife Mary Frances Mercer. Following his mother’s death from a tragic accident in 1872, Munro was sent to live in England with his paternal grandmother. In 1893, he returned to Burma to work for the Indian Imperial Police but was forced to resign in just over a year due to serious illness. He moved to London in 1896 to pursue a career as a writer. He found some success as a journalist and soon published The Rise of the Russian Empire (1900), a work of history. Emboldened, he began writing stories and novels, earning praise for Reginald (1904), a short story collection, and When William Came (1913), an invasion novel. Known for his keen wit and satirical outlook on Edwardian life, Munro was considered a master literary craftsman in his time. A gay man, he was forced to conceal his sexual identity in order to avoid criminal prosecution. At 43 years of age, he enlisted in the British cavalry and went to France to fight in the Great War. He was killed by a German sniper at the Battle of the Ancre.

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