Chick

by Edgar Wallace

The classic comedy from Edgar Wallace. An office boy unexpectedly inherits the title of Marquis. As well as dealing with this unexpected elevation in his status, and learning how to behave as a member of the aristocracy he also has to protect his newly inherited estate from clever con-men who try to convince him that there is oil on his land.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1923

About the author

Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British crime writer, journalist and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and countless articles in newspapers and journals.

Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.

He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.

Reviews

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike other Edgar Wallace stories this is a comedy of manners - of a sort - with the larceny being fairly mild and only occasional. When Chick is unexpectedly catapulted into the aristocracy by an uncle's death, he finds that his life as a struggling office clerk has left him completely unprepared for the life of a marquis.

Unambitious and friendly, Chick manages to navigate society with the help of his good friend Gwenda and what he's learned from his classes at the Polytechnic. He is also aided by his innate honesty and good sense. The way that Chick gets out of scrapes and traps laid by unscrupulous people hoping to gain from his acquaintance is charming and amusing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Luka Novak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike other Wallace's work this is a light comedy, not a crime novel. The story is neither long nor complex and characters have some depth to them but tend to be more of a caricatures. They are however so delightfully British, from a loyal housekeeper frequently exasperated at her employer's antics, from slightly out of touch aristocrat who is however good at heart, to various con men, criminals and so forth.

Book is composed of several more or less self contained chapters that have some wider stories connecting them. It's not a book you'd need to read before you die but it's a book you would throw in a bag (or electronic device) to pass the time on a plane or train journey.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle satire of post WW1 British society. A love story as well.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book is regarded as a collection of short stories there is very much a continuing plot throughout. A young clerk unexpectedly inherits a title and becomes a Marquis, but with no money or land with it he must enter aristocratic society and after a series of adventures win the girl he loves. Mildly comic with a likeable title character, an enjoyable piece of fluff.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and surprising characters. Nothing deep, just fun.