Bookmakers on the Beach
The story revolves around a group of people who gather at the beach to bet on the horses, and their lives become intertwined with each other's. The narrative explores themes of love, relationships, class differences, and the human condition.
By Thomas Anstey Guthrie · First published 1914 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Drama · 1,922 words
First lines
_The Sands at Baymouth, where some pony and horse races are being run. By the Grand Stand, and under the wall of the esplanade, about a dozen bookmakers, perched on old packing-cases, are clamouring with their customary energy. The public, however, for some reason seems unusually deaf to their blandishments and disinclined for speculation, and the bookmakers, after shouting themselves hoarse with little or no result, are beginning to feel discouraged._
BOOKMAKERS (_antiphonally_). Evens on the field! Three to one bar one! Five to one bar two! Six to one bar one! Even money _Beeswing_! Six to one _Popgun_! Come on 'ere. Two to one on the field! What do you want to _do_?
What this Textopian page supports
Bookmakers on the Beach is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Drama, Social Commentary, Fiction
- Length: 1,922 words
- Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Bookmakers on the Beach by Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- 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 Bookmakers on the Beach?
- How does this short story by Thomas Anstey Guthrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Comedy — The book features humorous dialogue and situations centered around bookmakers and their interactions with the public.
- Satire — It critiques the gambling culture and the absurdity of the bookmakers' plight, highlighting societal attitudes towards betting.
- Drama — The narrative includes dramatic elements through the tension between bookmakers and the indifferent public.
- Social Commentary — The work reflects on social behaviors and economic conditions of the time, particularly regarding gambling and leisure.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Social commentary · Gambling · Beach life · Leisure class · Upper class · British culture · Early 20th century · Comedy of manners · Witty dialogue · Irony