Vile bodies

This was a totally unplanned novel. I had the facility at the age of 25 to sit down at my table, set a few characters on the move, write 3000 words a day, and note with surprise...

They were still singing in the smoking-room when, in very little more than her usual time, the ship came into the harbour at Dover. Then Mrs Ape, as was her invariable rule, too...

Lottie’s parlour, in which most of the life of Shepheard’s centres, contains a comprehensive collection of signed photographs. Most of the male members of the royal families of...

She almost wished in this new mood of exaltation that she had come to the party in fancy dress. It was called a Savage party, that is to say that Johnnie Hoop had written on the...

They drove on for another mile; on the side of the Hall the road was bordered by dripping trees and a dilapidated stone wall; presently they reached some cottages and a white ga...

That evening Lady Metroland gave a party for Mrs Melrose Ape. Adam found the telegram of invitation waiting for him on his return to Shepheard’s. (Lottie had already used the pr...

‘When you get to our age, dear, there is so little left, but I do believe Miss Blount must have had an _experience_ . . . she’s sitting next to Miles. You know I heard from Edwa...

Encouraged by his success, Adam began gradually to introduce to his readers a brilliant and lovely company. He mentioned them casually at first in lists of genuine people. There...

‘I tried to see you twice this week,’ she said, ‘but always you were busy. We are leaving London. Perhaps you heard? My husband has been moved to Washington. It was his wish to...

‘The devil you have. Why didn’t you say so before? Always pleased to see gentlemen of the Press. Have a weed?’ A large cigar-case appeared from the recesses of the episcopal bos...

‘Never you mind, dearie, luck’ll turn one day. Well, now, how can we all fit in? There’s one room empty. I can sleep with our Sarah, and that leaves a bed for the gentlemen—then...

‘Well, she said she’d never heard of you. You see, I don’t mind admitting I’d had a few too many that night, and to tell you the truth I woke up with things all rather a blur. W...

‘The young man who fell out of the aeroplane. The nurses call him Simple Simon because it’s affected his brains . . . but, Adam I _am_ sorry about Nina. I’ll tell you what we’ll...

‘Yes, yes, certainly . . . and a fire in their bedroom, of course. And, Florin, I want you to come down to the cellar with me to look out some port . . . I’ve got the keys here....

The Colonel tasted the punch and pronounced it excellent. He then asked the carol singers their names and where they came from, and finally gave their leader five shillings and...