The story of the Gadsbys

by Rudyard Kipling

This edition is written in English. However, there is a running Spanish thesaurus at the bottom of each page for the more difficult English words highlighted in the text. There are many editions of The Story of the Gadsby. This edition would be useful if you would like to enrich your Spanish-English vocabulary, whether for self-improvement or for preparation in advanced of college examinations. Websters edition of this classic is organized to expose the reader to a maximum number of difficult and potentially ambiguous English words. Rare or idiosyncratic words and expressions are given lower priority compared to difficult, yet commonly used English words. Rather than supply a single translation, many words are translated for a variety of meanings in Spanish, allowing readers to better grasp the ambiguity of English without using the notes as a pure translation crutch. Having the reader decipher a words meaning within context serves to improve vocabulary retention and understanding. Each page covers words not already highlighted on previous pages. This edition is helpful to Spanish-speaking students enrolled in an English Language Program (ELP), an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) program, an English as a Second Language Program (ESL), or in a TOEFL or TOEIC preparation program. Students who are actively building their vocabularies in Spanish or English may also find this useful for Advanced Placement (AP) tests. TOEFL, TOEIC, AP and Advanced Placement are trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which has neither reviewed nor endorsed this book. This book is one of a series of Websters paperbacks that allows the reader to obtain more value from the experience of reading.Translations are from Websters Online Dictionary, derived from a meta-analysis of public sources, cited on the site.

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist.

Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book (1894), Kim (1901), and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). His poems include Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), The Gods of the Copybook Headings (1919), The White Man's Burden (1899), and If— (1910). He is regarded as a major innovator in the art of the short story; his children's books are classics of children's literature; and one critic described his work as exhibiting "a versatile and luminous narrative gift".

Kipling was one of the most popular writers in the United Kingdom, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Henry James said: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, at the age of 41, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English-language writer to receive the prize, and its youngest recipient to date. He was also sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, both of which he declined.

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907 "in consideration of the power of observation, originality of imagination, virility of ideas and remarkable talent for narration which characterize the creations of this world-famous author."

Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. On the night of 12 January 1936, Kipling suffered a haemorrhage in his small intestine. He underwent surgery, but died less than a week later on 18 January 1936 at the age of 70 of a perforated duodenal ulcer. Kipling's death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wrote, "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers."

Reviews

[Sean Meade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bittersweet love story in the form of a play (though hard to imagine how it could be produced) with faulty characters that rings true. Be sure to notice the meaning of Kipling's introduction given where the story ends up.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe that this is the first 5 stars I have given to a Kipling book. Although the ending of the play wasn’t necessarily as strong, the last scene like with the rest of the works was a good gem. It follows the life of a career military man in India who falls in love and suffers the trials and tribulations of married life, culminating I the decision he makes. It starts of slow, but, very quickly gets going. One of the many things that I do like about this book is the dialogue. The majority of Kipling’s works are descriptive, but little dialogue. Once you read the introduction into the scene, the scene is set and the dialogue takes you on the journey.

Quite a true pleasure to read.

[Old Man JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book written as a play. It follows a young captain who marries and each scene represents different stages of the marriage. The book is written almost entirely in dialog which is a problem for me because I sometimes have a difficult time deciphering Kipling's dialog.

[Paul Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This seems to exist as practice by kipling at reproducing the lingo of the time, but in other stories he does it just as well and also provides a plot.

[Gene Georgelis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it will never be a favorite for me. Reminds me of some of Hemingway's love stories

[Le Maistre Chat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was only Kipling's third work of fiction, after Plain Tales From the Hills and Soldiers Three. It's written like a drama in eight scenes, and it just seems to be a bit of fluff about an English Captain in India who gets married. Not recommended.