Mr Mitchelbourne's Last Escapade
"Mr. Mitchelbourne's Last Escapade" is a novella by A.E.W. Mason, first published in 1920. The story follows the adventures of Mr. Mitchelbourne, a middle-aged man who has grown tired of his mundane life and seeks excitement through various escapades. In the opening scene, Mitchelbourne encounters a young woman named Clare at a party and becomes enamored with her. He decides to woo her by pretending to be someone else, a wealthy and dashing man named "Ralph." As he becomes more invested in his alter ego, Mitchelbourne finds himself caught up in a series of absurd situations, including accidentally getting married to Clare's friend. Throughout the story, Mason explores themes of identity, social status, and the nature of romantic love. The novella is known for its wit and humor, as well as its clever use of language and plot twists. Overall, "Mr. Mitchelbourne's Last Escapade" is a charming and entertaining tale that will appeal to readers who enjoy lighthearted stories with a touch of satire and social commentary.
By A.E.W. Mason · First published 1934 · Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Crime · 8,199 words
First lines
It was in the kitchen of the inn at Framlingham that Mr. Mitchelbourne came across the man who was afraid, and during the Christmas week of the year 1681. Lewis Mitchelbourne was young in those days, and esteemed as a gentleman of refinement and sensibility, with a queer taste for escapades, pardonable by reason of his youth.
What this Textopian page supports
Mr Mitchelbourne's Last Escapade is listed on Textopian as a short story by A.E.W. Mason, dated 1934 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: A.E.W. Mason
- Date: 1934 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Adventure, Crime, Suspense
- Length: 8,199 words
- Structure: 1 section, 113 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Mr Mitchelbourne's Last Escapade by A.E.W. Mason
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Mr Mitchelbourne's Last Escapade?
- How does this short story by A.E.W. Mason fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Shuttered House by A. E. W. Mason
- The Deserter by A. E. W. Mason
- The Four Corners Of The World by A. E. W. Mason
- The Crossed Gloves by A. E. W. Mason
- Clementina by A. E. W. Mason
- Hatteras by A. E. W. Mason
Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the mysterious adventures of the main character, Mr. Mitchelbourne.
- Adventure — Mr. Mitchelbourne's escapades denote a continuous theme of adventure.
- Crime — The narrative often deals with law, legality, and criminal activities.
- Suspense — The story includes elements of suspense, mainly through the uncertainty of Mr. Mitchelbourne's actions and the outcomes of his escapades.
Tags
19th century · back · bassett · came · captain · chantrell · come · could · door · face · fiction · great britain