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Mrs. Raffles: Classic literature
John Kendrick Bangs (May 27, 1862 - January 21, 1922) was an American author and satirist, and the creator of modern Bangsian fantasy, the school of fantasy writing that sets the plot wholly or partially in the afterlife. He was born in Yonkers, New York. His father was a lawyer in New York City. He went to Columbia University from 1880 to 1883 where he became editor of Columbia's literary magazine and contributed short anonymous pieces to humor magazines.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1905
About the author
John Kendrick Bangs
514 books43 followersJohn Kendrick Bangs was an American author and satirist, and the creator of modern Bangsian fantasy, the school of fantasy writing that sets the plot wholly or partially in the afterlife.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 8, 2015
"Tush, Bunny," said she. "There isn't going to be any even then. Six months from now these people will have forgotten all about it. It's a little way they have. Their memory for faces and the money they spend is shorter than the purse of a bankrupt. Have no fear."
- Mrs. A. J. Van Raffles
The adventures of Arthur J. Raffles, cricketer and gentleman thief, and his chronicler, Harry "Bunny" Manders, set in late-Victorian Britain written by E. W. Hornung are legendary. A resemblance to the narrative form of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories - with Raffles and his partner Bunny Manders being the criminal counterparts to Holmes and Dr. Watson – make these adventures rather cozy reading material. Of the numerous Pastiches and spin-offs that were written based on Raffles the anti-hero, ‘Mrs. Raffles Being the Adventures of an Amateur Crackswoman’, written by John Kendrick Bangs introduces the reader with the criminal exploits of the widow of the now-deceased A. J. Raffles.
John Kendrick Bangs was an American author & satirist who is widely regarded as the creator of the modern ‘Bangsian Fantasy’ genre, which concerns the use of famous literary or historical individuals in plots and their interactions set partially or wholly in the afterlife. Written in 1905, the storyline and the way the book is rendered remind one of the works of E.W. Hornung and following the tradition of the original Raffle stories the adventures of Mrs. Raffles is chronicled by her companion and partner in crime ‘Bunny’ Manders.
In a series of short stories that has the potential for entertaining the reader with adventure, suspense and wit, the author presents the criminal exploits of Mrs. Raffles and Bunny - posing as a rich lady and her Butler – in United States where they steal jewels from high society mansions, fraud banks with bogus security bonds and scheme and hijack millions of dollars from the nouveau riche. The author intent here is neither glorification of crime nor glorifying an anti-hero; it is a pure satire on the high society and Mrs. Raffles and Bunny often take advantage of the social gatherings of the riches for their acts of stealing. What makes Mrs. Raffles more interesting as a character is the fact that she performs these acts of deception and pilfering often for sheer fun and for satisfying her intellect.
A very light and funny read. My actual score 3.5 stars out of 5.
- Mrs. A. J. Van Raffles
The adventures of Arthur J. Raffles, cricketer and gentleman thief, and his chronicler, Harry "Bunny" Manders, set in late-Victorian Britain written by E. W. Hornung are legendary. A resemblance to the narrative form of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories - with Raffles and his partner Bunny Manders being the criminal counterparts to Holmes and Dr. Watson – make these adventures rather cozy reading material. Of the numerous Pastiches and spin-offs that were written based on Raffles the anti-hero, ‘Mrs. Raffles Being the Adventures of an Amateur Crackswoman’, written by John Kendrick Bangs introduces the reader with the criminal exploits of the widow of the now-deceased A. J. Raffles.
John Kendrick Bangs was an American author & satirist who is widely regarded as the creator of the modern ‘Bangsian Fantasy’ genre, which concerns the use of famous literary or historical individuals in plots and their interactions set partially or wholly in the afterlife. Written in 1905, the storyline and the way the book is rendered remind one of the works of E.W. Hornung and following the tradition of the original Raffle stories the adventures of Mrs. Raffles is chronicled by her companion and partner in crime ‘Bunny’ Manders.
In a series of short stories that has the potential for entertaining the reader with adventure, suspense and wit, the author presents the criminal exploits of Mrs. Raffles and Bunny - posing as a rich lady and her Butler – in United States where they steal jewels from high society mansions, fraud banks with bogus security bonds and scheme and hijack millions of dollars from the nouveau riche. The author intent here is neither glorification of crime nor glorifying an anti-hero; it is a pure satire on the high society and Mrs. Raffles and Bunny often take advantage of the social gatherings of the riches for their acts of stealing. What makes Mrs. Raffles more interesting as a character is the fact that she performs these acts of deception and pilfering often for sheer fun and for satisfying her intellect.
A very light and funny read. My actual score 3.5 stars out of 5.
January 3, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This is a free kindle e-book novella from Amazon by John Kendrick Bangs.
Mrs. Raffles has come to the United States and is running her cons with success. Then things changes for the bad.
I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of mystery adventure novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😀😡😮
This is a free kindle e-book novella from Amazon by John Kendrick Bangs.
Mrs. Raffles has come to the United States and is running her cons with success. Then things changes for the bad.
I would recommend this novella and author to 👍 readers of mystery adventure novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😀😡😮
December 12, 2012
Love doesn't always conquer all. This is an enchanting spoof of high society and larceny. The widow, Mrs. Raffles moves from South Africa after the death of her husband and takes up a new life, residence and occupation in the United States. Her residence was a rented for $2500.00 monthly and was paid by selling its contents. Her profession was thievery. She ingenious stole from the rich with a coolness and cunning that launches her into the highest societies of New York and Newport. It is an interesting book with a unique look at crime. Bunny, her late husband’s friend and partner, answers an ad for his services as butler. His love for his late friend’s wife brought him to her door in the hope of winning a place in her heart. I think it would appeal to many crime and mystery readers. John Kendrick Bangs (1862-1922) was a prolific writer and known for his humor.
May 1, 2018
A humorous sequel to Raffles stories and a parody of American high society of early 20th century. Doesn't follow them closely and no satisfying explanation is given for the sudden appearance of a hitherto unknown Mrs. Raffles, but entertaining nevertheless. 'Raffles Holmes', also by the same author is not a sequel to this collection.
I think the author has done himself a disservice - while tying this collection to Raffles stories might raise more interest in it, Raffle fans can't help but compare this collection to the original stories and be dissatisfied with the discrepancies, whereas making this collection an original work (leaving out the few mentions of Raffles and only changing the reason why the two main characters might be acquainted) would have made this work stand well on his own alongside other Victorian (?) mysteries.
I think the author has done himself a disservice - while tying this collection to Raffles stories might raise more interest in it, Raffle fans can't help but compare this collection to the original stories and be dissatisfied with the discrepancies, whereas making this collection an original work (leaving out the few mentions of Raffles and only changing the reason why the two main characters might be acquainted) would have made this work stand well on his own alongside other Victorian (?) mysteries.
November 10, 2013
Mrs. Raffles is the story of how a pair of thieves weasel themselves into American high society and begin gleefully ripping off everyone around them. Warrington Bunny is our protagonist, a professional henchman who is hopelessly in love with the scheming and ingenious wife of his previous (and deceased) partner in crime, Raffles. Mrs. Henriette Van Raffles is brilliant and charming and quite alive to all the possibilities around her for the stealthy unlawful acquisition of other people's wealth. She masterminds all the plans, which Bunny faithfully executes, and merrily they carry on with American society none the wiser -- and much poorer.
Why hasn't the BBC gotten on this yet? It could be a splendid miniseries of heists and manners.
Why hasn't the BBC gotten on this yet? It could be a splendid miniseries of heists and manners.
January 31, 2012
Very funny send-up of Raffles; his widow takes up his job in a much more successful way, moving to America and taking advantage of the stupidity of the rich and the underestimation of women. A very funny satire of high society and social conventions.
October 16, 2010
Brilliant - captures E.W. Hornung's style perfectly. It's a wonderful send-up of early 20th century society - read between the lines of the Rockerbilts, the Gasters, and the Gushingtons.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews