A SAKI DOUBLE PLAY!  THE OPEN WINDOW and A MATTER OF SENTIMENT by H.H.MUNRO (SAKI)

A SAKI DOUBLE PLAY! THE OPEN WINDOW and A MATTER OF SENTIMENT by H.H.MUNRO (SAKI)

Author: Jon Hagadorn March 1, 2026 Duration: 24:03

Please consider helping to support this podcast and others in our 1001 Stories network collection by going to www.patreon.com/1001storiesnetwork and pledging a monthly contribution-Our Patreon supporters help cover our basic expenses hee as I try to bring great literature to everyone through sharratihng these narrations.

The Open Window" — Show Notes Summary
In this iconic tale of mischief and misdirection, a nervous visitor named Framton Nuttel arrives at a quiet country house seeking rest and recovery. But when he's greeted by the host's precocious niece, Vera, he's drawn into a chilling tale of loss, longing — and an open window that never closes.
Saki's razor-sharp wit and love of the unexpected are on full display here, as he turns a simple social call into a masterclass in narrative sleight-of-hand. A story about nerves, storytelling, and the fine line between truth and invention, The Open Window remains one of the most beloved short stories in English literature.

🐎 "A Matter of Sentiment" — Show Notes Summary
It's the eve of a major horse race, and the guests at Lady Susan's country house are in a quiet frenzy. Everyone wants to place a winning bet — but with no clear favorite and their hostess disapproving of gambling, the scheming must be done in whispers and winks.
Enter Clovis, ever the agent of chaos, who discovers a potential inside source: the butler's second cousin, a stable lad with privileged knowledge. What follows is a deliciously dry comedy of manners, deception, and social subterfuge, as Saki skewers the pretensions of the upper crust with his trademark elegance and bite.

Music: 🎵 Danse Macabre Op. 40 – Camille Saint-Saëns (1936 Stokowski/Philadelphia Orchestra recording) (archive.org in Bing)
This version features Leopold Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra, with a violin solo by Alexander Hilsberg. It's a historic 1936 recording, beautifully restored and freely available for use under public domain.


Step into a world where every episode is a journey into a different time and place, guided by the voices of literary masters. 1001 Classic Short Stories & Tales, curated and narrated by Jon Hagadorn, is a quiet sanctuary for those who appreciate the crafted prose of a bygone era. This podcast focuses exclusively on the golden age of short fiction, pulling masterful works from the period between 1850 and 1930. Each selection is chosen for its enduring power to connect, offering narratives that resonate with emotional depth and timeless human experience. You’ll hear the suspenseful twists of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, the poignant social observations of Edith Wharton, the rugged adventures of Jack London, and the finely drawn characters of O. Henry. The collection also includes the gothic intensity of Edgar Allan Poe, the economic storytelling of Ernest Hemingway, and the heartfelt tales of Henry Lawson, among many others. Hagadorn’s narration is clear and considered, designed to let the authors' original language shine. It’s an archive built for repeated listening, whether you’re discovering these stories for the first time or revisiting old favorites. For anyone seeking a break from the modern noise with a truly classic tale, this consistently updated podcast provides a deep and rewarding library of fiction’s finest moments.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

1001 Classic Short Stories & Tales
Podcast Episodes
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KEEPING WATCH by W.W. JACOBS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:12
SUMMARY OF 'KEEPING WATCH' A boat captain with a pretty daughter aboard leaves two crewmen 'on guard' whilem he heads for a night at the local tavern. His suspicion has been aroused after finding a pile of love letters w…
ROCKET SUMMER by RAY BRADBURY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:01
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Duration: 38:22
Hector Hugh Munro, also known as Saki, was born in British Burma, . Saki was the son of Charles Augustus Munro, an Inspector General for the Indian Imperial Police, and his wife, Mary Frances Mercer,, the daughter of Rea…
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Duration: 30:27
"Miggles" by Bret Harte Bret Harte's "Miggles" is one of those frontier stories that begins with rough humor and bad weather, then quietly shifts into something far more human and memorable. A group of travelers, strande…