The Last Laugh by E.W. Hornung
The Last Laugh is a novel by E.W. Hornung that follows the story of a man named Raffles who is a gentleman thief and cricketer. The book explores themes of morality, justice, and class in Victorian England.
By E.W. Hornung · First published 1908 · Genre: Crime Fiction, Adventure, Mystery · 7,792 words
First lines
As I have had occasion to remark elsewhere, the pick of our exploits, from a frankly criminal point of view, are of least use for the comparatively pure purposes of these papers. They might be appreciated in a trade journal (if only that want could be supplied), by skilled manipulators of the jemmy and the large light bunch; but, as records of unbroken yet insignificant success, they would be found at once too trivial and too technical, if not sordid and unprofitable into the bargain. The latter epithets, and worse, have indeed already been applied, if not to Raffles and all his works, at least to mine upon Raffles, by more than one worthy wielder of a virtuous pen. I need not say how heartily I disagree with that truly pious opinion. So far from admitting a single word of it, I maintain it is the liveliest warning that I am giving to the world. Raffles was a genius, and he could not make it pay! Raffles had invention, resource, incomparable audacity, and a nerve in ten thousand.
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Laugh is listed on Textopian as a novel by E.W. Hornung, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: E.W. Hornung
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Crime Fiction, Adventure, Mystery
- Length: 7,792 words
- Structure: 1 section, 150 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Last Laugh by E.W. Hornung
- 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 The Last Laugh?
- How does this novel by E.W. Hornung fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Crime Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Cloud The Smiter by Arthur Gask
- The Thousandth Woman by E. W. Hornung
- The Adventure Of The Unprofessional Detective by Grant Allen
- Tiny Luttrell by E. W. Hornung
- A Burgling Incident by Arthur Morrison
- A Bad Night by E. W. Hornung
Genres
- Crime Fiction — The narrative revolves around criminal activities, focusing on the planning and execution of illegal acts.
- Adventure — The plot involves a series of exciting and risky experiences and events.
- Mystery — The story contains elements of suspense, with characters attempting to solve a puzzle or uncover hidden truths.
Tags
mystery · crime · thriller · suspense · detective · humor · dark comedy · plot twist · deception · revenge · intrigue · character study