Circular Saws

"Circular Saws" by Humbert Wolfe is a collection of whimsical tales written in the early 20th century. The book is framed as a series of short stories featuring figures drawn from diverse fairy-tale inspirations, focusing on characters like Haroun-al-Raschid and modern individuals with eccentric traits. Each story unfolds with humor and irony, reflecting the absurdities of life through clever narratives and whimsical portrayals. At the start of this collection, the author introduces vivid characters and captivating scenarios. The opening stories include Haroun-al-Raschid lamenting the lack of splashing allowed during his bath, only to face a rainy calamity the next day, and Mr. Arthur Benacres, an ostrich-like philanthropist, grappling with his peculiar predicament due to a befuddled fairy's magic. In another tale, a princess's wish for an umbrella leads her to transform whimsically into a frog before realizing the folly of her desires. These tales set a playful tone, blending traditional storytelling elements with modern commentary, inviting readers to enjoy the various absurdities presented in Wolfe's imaginative world. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Humbert Wolfe CB CBE was an Italian-born British poet, man of letters and civil servant.