A collection of wickedly witty, ribald, satirical tales. Many of these tell of everyday folks in collision with the supernatural, but chuckles are to be found in others as well. For some surprise departures from Smith’s usual style, take a look at the superb murder mystery Did She Fall? and the engaging children’s book Lazy Bear Lane.
Due to copyright restrictions, this collection excludes The Passionate Witch (1941), which was completed by Norman H. Matson (1893–1965).
(See list of contents below)
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James Thorne Smith, Jr. (March 27, 1892 – June 20, 1934) was an American writer of humorous supernatural fantasy fiction under the byline Thorne Smith. He had a brief but prolific career as a best-selling comic novelist. He is best known today for the two
Topper novels, comic fantasy fiction involving sex, much drinking, and ghosts. With racy illustrations, these sold millions of copies in the 1930s and were equally popular in paperbacks of the 1950s. His writings have had a lingering influence in popular culture: witness, for example, the television series “Bewitched” and “I Dream of Jeanie” and the films
Beetlejuice,
Ghostbusters, and
Night at the Museum.
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List of contents:
Spoiler:
SUPERNATURAL SHENANIGANS
Topper
Topper Takes a Trip
The Stray Lamb
The Night Life of the Gods
Turnabout
Skin and Bones
The Glorious Pool
THE SILLY SIDE
The Bishop’s Jaegers
Rain in the Doorway
THE SEROUS SIDE
Did She Fall?
(murder mystery)
Dream’s End
(gothic romance)
THE OSWALD DIARIES (WWI NAVY)
Biltmore Oswald
Out o’ Luck
TWO SHORT STORIES
Yonder’s Henry!
Birthday Present
CHILDREN’S BOOK
Lazy Bear Lane
POETRY COLLECTION
Haunts and By-Paths
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Contents were originally published 1918 ~ 1934. This book is in the public domain where copyright is “Life+80” or less.
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