Collected Stories of Bertrand Russell

by Bertrand Russell

This volume presents a complete collection of Bertrand Russell's stories, both published and unpublished, fictional and factual. After the publication of Satan in the Suburbs, his first book of short stories, Russell quipped: "I have devoted my first eighty years of my life to philosophy, and propose to devote the next eighty years to another branch of fiction." Also included here, for the first time, is the novella The Perplexities of John Forstice, along with Russell's intimate anecdotes and the fables created for the amusement of his own children. With the elegance and lucidity of stile that won him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950, this volume gives a sparkling demonstration of Russell's humanity, his sense of fun, and his delighted perception of absurdity.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Philosophy

Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS, was a Welsh philosopher, historian, logician, mathematician, advocate for social reform, pacifist, and prominent rationalist. Although he was usually regarded as English, as he spent the majority of his life in England, he was born in Wales, where he also died.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1950 "in recognition of his varied and significant writings in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought."

Reviews

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall this book was a disappointment. With Russell’s reputation I expected pointed and telling stories, but they failed to deliver. The stories were bland. The various other works included were better; parables, nightmares, anecdotes. Some of the anecdotes were downright hilarious, but they made up a very small part of the book.

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising.