Barry Pain's collection kicks off with its title story, a brilliant sequel-by-inheritance to Jonathan Swift's classic.

The Story

The 'New Gulliver' is actually Lemuel Gulliver IV, a direct descendant who shares his famous ancestor's thirst for adventure and bad luck with ships. After a wreck, he washes ashore in Edwardian England. To him, this is a land more bizarre than Lilliput or Brobdingnag. Motorcars are terrifying metal beasts, the social rules are incomprehensible, and everyone seems obsessed with speed and machinery. The story follows his attempts to navigate this world, guided by a bemused modern narrator. The rest of the book is filled with Pain's sharp short stories. They range from ghostly tales and social satires to simple, hilarious observations of human folly, each one a perfectly crafted snapshot of its time with a timeless punchline.

Why You Should Read It

What I love most is Pain's voice. He's not trying to be Swift; he's doing his own thing with wit and a light touch. The humor in 'The New Gulliver' isn't just about poking fun at the past. It holds up a mirror to our own absurdities. When Gulliver IV is baffled by political debates or the frantic pace of life, you might catch yourself nodding. The other stories are a fantastic bonus. They show Pain's range—he can make you laugh at a man's feud with his furniture and then send a genuine chill down your spine a few pages later. His characters feel real, their dilemmas often rooted in pride, fear, or simple misunderstanding.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy classic English humor with a bite, fans of authors like P.G. Wodehouse or Saki who appreciate a well-turned phrase and a clever premise. It's also a great pick for anyone interested in late-Victorian and Edwardian social satire—you get history served with a smile. Don't go in expecting epic fantasy or high drama. Go in for clever ideas, sparkling dialogue, and the quiet pleasure of watching a master storyteller at work. It's a delightful, insightful collection that deserves to be rediscovered.