The Toys of Peace

Description

Examine the Deeper Impulses of Humanity’s Quest for Fulfillment in The Toys of Peace



Hector Hugh Munro, also known as Saki by his pen name, was a skilled author with a wide and diverse repertoire. He worked on anything from historical studies, plays and short stories, to works of historical fantasy and parodies that have captivated his readers’ attention throughout the late 19th century.

One of his later works, published as the impending Great War threatened to loom over Europe, Saki’s The Toys of Peace came at an opportune time to show how nature always gets its way in the end, despite any clever artifices that we, as humans, attempt to put into effect in order to stifle its impulses and basic expression.

In this collection of 33 stories written by Saki and comprising The Toys of Peace, we are presented with a satirical approach to explaining how repressing natural tendencies could lead to problematic outcomes. The stories illustrate the principle through tales of parents resolving to give their children only toys that would not promote war or fighting tendencies. In their desire to express their most basic natural instincts, however, the children always find creative new ways to quench their disappointments.

While the stories were mainly written as a result of Edwardian policies put into effect at the beginning of the 20th century, Saki’s simple, oftentimes witty, but highly meaningful lessons also apply to our own modern world. In his unique and distinctive style, the author manages to lead the reader through a delightful process of satirizing the widely accepted convention of the time, and making unexpected connections that build up to lead to a startling realization in the end.

Anyone used to Munro’s unique writing style and perceptions will enjoy this highly descriptive and quite enlightening series of stories that you may find you will hardly be able to put down.
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