Clarke's collection is pure fun - a quirky mix of science, satire, and jaw-dropping tall tales all set in the bustling White Hart pub. The stories are witty, lightly absurd, and dusted with scientific tidbits and inside jokes for fans of both science fiction and British humor. If you like pub stories, enjoy the company of eccentric inventors, or have a soft spot for classic speculative fiction with a twist of the improbable, this one is for you. It's also a treat for Clarke fans curious to see his playful side and anyone who loves Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon or other barroom storytelling traditions.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you prefer your science fiction full of rockets, deep space exploration, or epic world-building, you might feel underwhelmed. Some readers find the stories a bit repetitive - after all, most yarns follow the same formula, and not all are equally memorable. The humor leans dry and British, and stories can feel somewhat dated or light on plot. If you want serious sci-fi or dislike anthologies focused on a single narrator, you might want to give this a pass.

Light, clever, and endlessly entertaining. Not Clarke’s most profound work, but an irresistibly charming romp for those who love tall tales, science jokes, or just want a laugh with their speculative fiction.

About:

"Tales from the White Hart" by Arthur C. Clarke is a collection of humorous science fiction stories told by a scientist named Harry Purvis at a pub called The White Hart. Each story features eccentric characters and outrageous scientific catastrophes, often with unexpected twist endings. The setting of the White Hart pub provides a unique backdrop for the tall tales, with Purvis captivating his audience with his fantastical yarns every Wednesday evening.

Characters:

Characters are primarily eccentric scientists and storytellers, with Harry Purvis as the central figure known for weaving ludicrous yet entertaining tales.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by wit and a lighthearted tone, adeptly balancing humor with serious themes, enhancing the storytelling experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative consists of humorous, tall tales centered around the eccentric scientist Harry Purvis, as he shares outrageous stories at a London pub, often culminating in absurd twists.

Setting:

The setting is a lively pub where scientists and writers converge, creating an engaging atmosphere for sharing quirky tales.

Pacing:

The pacing is light and suitable for casual reading; while some stories may drag, they are generally quick and easy to digest.

You come upon the “White Hart” quite unexpectedly in one of these anonymous little lanes leading down from Fleet Street to the Embankment. It’s no use telling you where it is: very few people who have...

Notes:

The stories are set in a fictional pub called The White Hart where scientists and writers gather every Wednesday.

Harry Purvis is the main storyteller, known for his outlandish and entertaining tales.

Clarke wrote these stories as a mix of humor and science fiction, which he called tall tales.

Most stories are standalone but have slight cross-references to each other.

The collection showcases several humorous concepts about science, technology, and human behavior.

Not all stories are well-received; some were criticized for being anticlimactic.

Clarke blends amusing storytelling with serious underlying themes.

He often includes real-life references and events to enrich the narratives.

The book includes stories that are intentionally unbelievable, adding to the whimsical tone.

Several characters embody tropes of mad scientists, showcasing their eccentricities and mishaps.

From The Publisher:

A compendium of science fiction stories filled with “high diversion, amusement and amazement” from the legendary creator of 2001: A Space Odyssey (Los Angeles Times).

In the White Hart Pub in London just north of Fleet Street, Harry Purvis holds court with his fellow writers of scientific yarns. A consummate storyteller, Harry is joined by the actual writers Samuel Youd, John Wyndham, and Clarke himself, all under pseudonyms, and all trying to outdo each other with their outlandish tales of science and invention.

Inspired by the Jorkens collections by Lord Dunsany, this anthology combines elements of comedy and horror, with “sly wit and inviting prose style” and a distinctly English flavor (AV Club).

Written by a “collossus of science fiction,” Tales from the White Hart is not just for fans of the genre, but for anyone who appreciates a good tall tale (The New Yorker). “One of the most astounding imaginations ever encountered in print.” —The New York Times

June 1940

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180 pages

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Tales from the White Hart

Arthur C. Clarke

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