Taken by Surprise
The story revolves around a young woman who returns to her hometown after being away for several years. She is met with surprise and hostility by the people she once knew, including her former lover. As she tries to rebuild her life, she uncovers secrets and lies that have been hidden for years, forcing her to confront the truth about her past and her relationships.
By Thomas Anstey Guthrie · First published 1944 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Fiction · 6,932 words
First lines
There are certain misconceptions which a man who is prominently before the public is morally bound to combat -- more for the sake of others than his own -- as soon as it becomes probable that the popular estimate of his character may be shaken, if not shattered, should he hold his peace. Convinced as I am of this, and having some ground to anticipate that the next few days may witness a damaging blow to my personal dignity and influence for good, I have thought it expedient to publish the true history of an episode which, if unexplained, is only too likely to prejudice me to a serious extent. Any circumstance that tends to undermine or lessen the world's reverence for its instructors is a deplorable calamity, to be averted at all hazards, even when this can only be effected by disclosures scarcely less painful to a delicate mind.
What this Textopian page supports
Taken by Surprise is listed on Textopian as a novella by Thomas Anstey Guthrie, dated 1944 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Thomas Anstey Guthrie
- Date: 1944 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Fiction, Romance, Literary Criticism
- Length: 6,932 words
- Structure: 1 section, 121 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Taken by Surprise 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Taken by Surprise?
- How does this novella by Thomas Anstey Guthrie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The book employs humor and irony to critique societal norms and the literary world.
- Comedy — The narrative is filled with humorous situations and character interactions that evoke laughter.
- Fiction — The story is a work of fiction, presenting a narrative with invented characters and events.
- Romance — The protagonist's relationship with Miss Iris Waverley adds a romantic subplot to the story.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Suspense · Detective · Fiction · Crime · Investigation · Murder · Whodunit · Plot Twist · Surprising Ending · Page Turner