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
ROBIN HOOD SHOOTS FOR QUEEN ELEANOR by HOWARD PYLE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:39
Robin receives a royal request from the Queen to represent her at the national match, promising he and his followers safe journey to and from London. he accepts, and brings 4 of his trusty men with him. ANDROID USERS- al…
THE GREAT SERMON HANDICAP   A JEEVES STORY from P.G.WODEHOUSE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:21
Another great tale from Wodehouse taking a poke at the generation of wealthy young men who are kept on retainers by rich relatives and have no desire to work- thus having to create their own entertainment- in this case,…
THE RACE by STEWART EDWARD WHITE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:42
Two cowboys are paid to round up a crew of Mexicans to drive a herd of cattle near the Mexican border. When one of the vaqueros becomes angry and shoots the black cook, one of the cowboys shoots and kills the Mexican, tu…
BEST OF:  THE BODY SNATCHERS by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:08
SPOOKTEMBER IS HERE!! A favorite tale of horror from Robert Louis Stevenson who gave us Treasure Island (which, by the way, is over at 1001 Stories For the Road). T CALLING ALL FANS.. REVIEWS NEEDED FOR NEW SHOWS! REVIEW…
THE GRIFFIN AND THE MINOR CANON by FRANK STOCKTON [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:33
A classic Frank Stockton tale about a griffin ( a winged beast of legend) and a minor canon- meaning an associate pastor/priest who handles the actual job of visiting and teaching the congregation). Our story: A little r…
THE WORST CRIME IN THE WORLD   A FATHER BROWN MYSTERY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:40
A great Father Brown Mystery from GK Chesteron's collection 'The Wisdom of Father Brown. Father Brown plans to meet his niece in a picture gallery, but before he does, he encounters a lawyer named Granby who wants his op…

«1...678910