The Complete Stories of A.A. Milne, by A.A. Milne

A bumper book of witty and entertaining stories for adults from the famous children’s author.

A.A. Milne (1882 - 1956) is best known for his children’s books Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. The success of these books and poetry collections such as Now We Are Six greatly overshadowed his other literary work. He was a writer who worked in many genres: adult fiction, non-fiction, journalism, memoir, poetry, plays and screenplays. Farrago books has issued a first complete collection of A.A. Milne’s short stories, with the inclusion of a few that have never been published before. The stories cover the period from 1918-1958, with most written between 1948-1950.

The stories cover a wide variety of styles, with a constant theme being Milne’s playful, vivacious sense of humour. They are frothy and fun, often very inventive, much in line with other contemporaries such as P.G. Wodehouse and Nancy Mitford. While there is a lightness of touch, and an almost frivolous attitude, Milne’s shorter fiction is brilliantly organised, with many pleasingly unexpected twists and turns. For the most part, the stories deal with middle class relationships, men and women, desire and domesticity, in post war Britain. A favorite story details the comic drama caused when a difficult friend asks for a book that he has lent to a couple be returned. The couple don’t know what they’ve done with the book, and while they continue to get passive-aggressive letters from the disgruntled friend, they bide their time until they can buy a new copy and pass it off as the original. Another story, highlighting Milne’s playfulness, is set in the Biblical time of Noah and spoofs his family organising an ark to save themselves, while musing what they should tell the neighbors. Milne also had a great fondness for detective fiction, and several murder mysteries are included in this collection. 

The author of Winnie-the-Pooh will no doubt never shake off his reputation as a children’s author. Intrepid readers who can look past the famous bear will find much to delight and amuse in this little known collection. 

The Complete Stories of A.A. Milne, by A.A. Milne. Published by Farrago. $26.99

DEC 24