The Man Who Would Be King in Never too Late to Read Classics

Oct 16, 2009 Laura rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2009, novellas, classics, hf-india, audio-books

Available at LibriVox.

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May 05, 2019 Shirley (stampartiste) rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-classics

I read this short-story in The World's Greatest Short Stories, edited by James Daley. This book contains an excellent sample of short stories by well-known authors of the 19th and 20th centuries.

I really wanted to love this short story - after all, this is Rudyard Kipling! - but it was just too confusing a read for me. The story is basically about two English flimflam adventurers who travel from India to Kafiristan (in Afghanistan) with the goal of setting themselves up as kings. Although I coul ...more

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Sep 17, 2019 Sarah rated it it was ok

Shelves: audio, borrowed

Ugh. Snagged this as audio, well, honestly, because it was short. I've been trying to read some Kipling because he seems so influential, and I really know nothing about him or his work (other than the Disney versions).

This is the story of journalist who meets two adventurers (vagabonds? troublemakers?) in part of the world near Afghanistan. The adventurers share with the journalist their plan to go to a small country near Afghanistan and set themselves up as kings. First complaint - its my Fran ...more

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Jul 04, 2015 Alexander rated it really liked it

Shelves: literature

My father always loved the Michael Cane/Sean Connery film adaptation, so I ventured to pick up this short story to see what the fuss was about. This book has a lot of clout for being so small, It's classic Kipling and the usual messages and tone are present, but the tragedy of the two protagonists really resounded with me for some reason. I think it was Peachey's hands and his descent into madness that left me feeling very eerie.

A great read. ...more

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