News from the Duchy

"News from the Duchy" by Arthur Quiller-Couch is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The book is set in Cornwall and captures the nuances of rural life through various tales, often tinged with humor and reflective of the local culture and characters. It promises to showcase the charm and simplicity of Cornish life, perhaps focusing on insights into relationships and community, featuring individuals such as the narrator and the whimsical characters they encounter. The opening of the narrative introduces the reader to a light-hearted and whimsical scene involving a pilgrimage to a small parish church. The narrator recounts a surreal vision while on a train ride: a gathering of naked men playing music while laborers awkwardly dance nearby. This mysterious and absurd sight sparks curiosity and laughter, leading the narrator to disembark and seek out this peculiar scene. The story unfolds with this blend of humor and the exploration of human experiences, setting the stage for Quiller-Couch’s engaging storytelling style that seeks to entertain and evoke laughter through the absurdities of life in the Duchy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch was a British writer who published using the pseudonym Q. Although a prolific novelist, he is remembered mainly for the monumental publication The Oxford Book of English Verse 1250–1900 and for his literary criticism. He influenced many who never met him, including American writer Helene Hanff, author of 84, Charing Cross Road and its sequel, Q's Legacy. His The Oxford Book of English Verse was a favourite of John Mortimer's fictional character Horace Rumpole.