"The Return Of Raffles Further Adventures Of The Amateur Cracksman" 1933 PEROWNE, Barry
$125
PEROWNE, Barry
[299] pp.
The John Day Company
1933
First Edition
7 3/4" x 5 1/2"
*chipping/ loss to head of jacket spine*
"The Return of Raffles: Further Adventures of the Amateur Cracksman" is a collection of short stories by E.W. Hornung, continuing the adventures of the gentleman thief, A.J. Raffles, after his initial appearances in "The Amateur Cracksman". In these further adventures, Raffles, a member of the English cricket team, continues his criminal exploits alongside his friend, Bunny Manders, while maintaining his social facade.
The stories explore Raffles' daring burglaries, often motivated by financial gain or a sense of adventure, while showcasing his charming and charismatic personality and his adherence to a moral code. He focuses his efforts on those he deems morally deserving, and his actions are always executed with a level of ingenuity and skill. The stories are set in late Victorian London and combine elements of crime, mystery, and adventure, similar to Sherlock Holmes stories, but from the perspective of the criminal.
The collection has been praised for its wit, suspense, and exploration of the complexities of morality in a criminal context. Raffles is presented as a sympathetic and engaging character, making his criminal adventures an intriguing portrayal of late 19th-century London.