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The Manhood of Edward Robinson: A Short Story
A classic Agatha Christie short story from the collection The Golden Ball and Other Stories.
Sane and sensible Edward Robinson secretly dreams of fast cars, adventurous women, and danger, but his fianc�e, Maud, keeps him grounded in reality. When Edward wins money in a newspaper competition, he immediately buys the sleek red car of his dreams - without telling Maud. Adventure swiftly ensues, as he is embroiled in high society scandals that lead him to a significant transformation.
Sane and sensible Edward Robinson secretly dreams of fast cars, adventurous women, and danger, but his fianc�e, Maud, keeps him grounded in reality. When Edward wins money in a newspaper competition, he immediately buys the sleek red car of his dreams - without telling Maud. Adventure swiftly ensues, as he is embroiled in high society scandals that lead him to a significant transformation.
Audiobook
First published January 1, 1934
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About the author
Agatha Christie
5,741 books76k followersAgatha Christie also wrote romance novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott, and was occasionally published under the name Agatha Christie Mallowan.
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, DBE (née Miller) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. She also wrote the world's longest-running play, the murder mystery The Mousetrap, which has been performed in the West End of London since 1952. A writer during the "Golden Age of Detective Fiction", Christie has been called the "Queen of Crime". She also wrote six novels under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. In 1971, she was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to literature. Guinness World Records lists Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
This best-selling author of all time wrote 66 crime novels and story collections, fourteen plays, and six novels under a pseudonym in romance. Her books sold more than a billion copies in the English language and a billion in translation. According to Index Translationum, people translated her works into 103 languages at least, the most for an individual author. Of the most enduring figures in crime literature, she created Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. She atuhored The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the history of modern theater.
Associated Names:
Agata Christie
Agata Kristi
Агата Кристи (Russian)
Агата Крісті (Ukrainian)
Αγκάθα Κρίστι (Greek)
アガサ クリスティ (Japanese)
阿嘉莎·克莉絲蒂 (Chinese)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 5, 2023
A nice young man who is henpecked by his fiancee has the adventure of a lifetime.
And it changes his outlook on the world.
City clerk Edward Robinson is a dreamer who reads romance novels and wishes he could be like the heroes in those stories. His fiancee, Maud, is a level-headed girl who treats him like a child, scolding and prodding him to do the smart thing. Insisting that he take the expensive ring he bought her back and telling him that they must wait till his prospect improve before they get married.
Unbeknownst to Maud, Edward won £500 in a newspaper competition and bought the small two-seat car that he had been longing for, instead of saving the money like he knows she would have made him do had he told her. In an effort to avoid facing the music, he lies to Maud about what he is doing on Christmas Eve and goes for a long ride in his new car.
When he stops the car and gets out to admire a beautiful view, everything changes.
Due to a mix-up, he ends up getting back into the wrong car and having an adventure with a beautiful young lady and her famous jet-setting crowd. Managing to pull off a wild night and an even wilder lie at the end of it, he realizes that maybe he really could be like those manly guys he reads about in books. A little bit of confidence goes a long way.
I love this one!
Originally published in 1924 in The Grand Magazine.
Read as part of the short story collections The Golden Ball and Other Stories & Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery.
And it changes his outlook on the world.
City clerk Edward Robinson is a dreamer who reads romance novels and wishes he could be like the heroes in those stories. His fiancee, Maud, is a level-headed girl who treats him like a child, scolding and prodding him to do the smart thing. Insisting that he take the expensive ring he bought her back and telling him that they must wait till his prospect improve before they get married.
Unbeknownst to Maud, Edward won £500 in a newspaper competition and bought the small two-seat car that he had been longing for, instead of saving the money like he knows she would have made him do had he told her. In an effort to avoid facing the music, he lies to Maud about what he is doing on Christmas Eve and goes for a long ride in his new car.
When he stops the car and gets out to admire a beautiful view, everything changes.
Due to a mix-up, he ends up getting back into the wrong car and having an adventure with a beautiful young lady and her famous jet-setting crowd. Managing to pull off a wild night and an even wilder lie at the end of it, he realizes that maybe he really could be like those manly guys he reads about in books. A little bit of confidence goes a long way.
I love this one!
Originally published in 1924 in The Grand Magazine.
Read as part of the short story collections The Golden Ball and Other Stories & Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery.
November 2, 2025
Just a terribly charming story first published in 1924. A young man wants to feel the adventure and passion of Bianca and Bill in the book he’s reading. But the girl he’s betrothed to is so practical she runs roughshod over him so he doesn’t do anything frivolous — for his own good, of course. She won’t even agree to marry him until all the more practical matters are settled.
With unexpected winnings from a contest, he secretly buys a two-seater car. Doing something so outlandish and impractical gives him a sense of freedom he's never felt. When by mistake he gets in the wrong two-seater and discovers a priceless necklace, a wild and wonderful adventure ensues.
An adventurous girl and a tiny deception on Edward’s part leads to him finding his manhood. But how will his beloved react when the milquetoast has suddenly become a man, and won’t stand for her domineering ways any longer?
A sweet and charming, extremely old-fashioned romantic adventure. Lovely.
With unexpected winnings from a contest, he secretly buys a two-seater car. Doing something so outlandish and impractical gives him a sense of freedom he's never felt. When by mistake he gets in the wrong two-seater and discovers a priceless necklace, a wild and wonderful adventure ensues.
An adventurous girl and a tiny deception on Edward’s part leads to him finding his manhood. But how will his beloved react when the milquetoast has suddenly become a man, and won’t stand for her domineering ways any longer?
A sweet and charming, extremely old-fashioned romantic adventure. Lovely.
February 3, 2021
This short story by Agatha Christie was first published in The Grand Magazine in December 1924. It was later published in the story collection, The Listerdale Mystery, in the UK in 1934. It was not published in the United States until The Golden Ball and Other Stories came out in 1971.
Edward Robinson is feeling a bit controlled by his fiance, Maud. The girl won't marry him until he has more money saved up and is always the voice of common sense. Sometimes Edward doesn't want only common sense...so he rebels a bit! He wins money in a contest and buys a car, purposefully not telling Maud so he can have a bit of a lark. To his surprise, he ends up having more adventure than he planned!
This is s cute and very entertaining story! I don't have a copy of The Listerdale Msytery, so listened to the audio of this story from a copy of The Golden Ball and Other Stories (HarperAudio, narrated by Hugh Fraser).
This story was adapted for television in 1982 for the show The Agatha Christie Hour (episode 10). Very enjoyable episode, although they do change the story just a little bit. It was a minor enough change that it didn't bother me.
I'm really enjoying these little short stories. This is the first time I have read any of these. After loving Christie's books for a very long time, it's so much fun to fill in the gaps and read everything she wrote! It will take me a good long while...but I have made it to the 1930s in my quest to read her writing in publication order. I'm taking my time and savoring each story....going down rabbit holes to research whatever strikes my fancy. Having a great time!
On to the next story! :)
Edward Robinson is feeling a bit controlled by his fiance, Maud. The girl won't marry him until he has more money saved up and is always the voice of common sense. Sometimes Edward doesn't want only common sense...so he rebels a bit! He wins money in a contest and buys a car, purposefully not telling Maud so he can have a bit of a lark. To his surprise, he ends up having more adventure than he planned!
This is s cute and very entertaining story! I don't have a copy of The Listerdale Msytery, so listened to the audio of this story from a copy of The Golden Ball and Other Stories (HarperAudio, narrated by Hugh Fraser).
This story was adapted for television in 1982 for the show The Agatha Christie Hour (episode 10). Very enjoyable episode, although they do change the story just a little bit. It was a minor enough change that it didn't bother me.
I'm really enjoying these little short stories. This is the first time I have read any of these. After loving Christie's books for a very long time, it's so much fun to fill in the gaps and read everything she wrote! It will take me a good long while...but I have made it to the 1930s in my quest to read her writing in publication order. I'm taking my time and savoring each story....going down rabbit holes to research whatever strikes my fancy. Having a great time!
On to the next story! :)
July 10, 2016
Yet another masterpiece in miniature that I hadn't read before. But I adored this one, it actually kept me intrigued at every point with its puzzling characters. The end surprised me, in an exciting/confusing way.
September 15, 2023
As a fan of Agatha Christie, I picked this e-book up from by local library. It was part of a set of twelve novellas Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery. I found each individual story entertaining with a great mystery. I would recommond to readers of Agatha Christie. 2023
November 15, 2025
4⭐️
*giggle giggle* what is this story?? A man in a lackluster engagement does something impulsive one evening to shake things up.
*giggle giggle* what is this story?? A man in a lackluster engagement does something impulsive one evening to shake things up.
August 16, 2024
I'm not sure I dig the title of this one, but......
Interesting points for having a guy who reads romance stories and thinks his life should maybe be different. You don't see this much in modern fiction.
Loved the heist gone awry or did it? aspect.
Interesting points for having a guy who reads romance stories and thinks his life should maybe be different. You don't see this much in modern fiction.
Loved the heist gone awry or did it? aspect.
November 2, 2020
Audiobook
about 33 minutes
about 33 minutes
October 15, 2023
Edward Robinson loves his fiancée, he just wishes she wasn’t always so practical and bossy. So when Edward wins some money from a contest he decides to spend it on something impractical but harmless. This leads to him having a day and night of escape and unexpected adventure. Along the way he has a grand time, and finds a spine.
Hugh Fraser’s narration definitely added to the fun of the story and had me smiling several times.
Hugh Fraser’s narration definitely added to the fun of the story and had me smiling several times.
April 9, 2021
Can a man change overnight? No. But can a man collect all his courage overnight, shed his cape and become stronger? Yes.
Considering this to be a romantic story with a little thriller adventure. The stroy is adorable!
Considering this to be a romantic story with a little thriller adventure. The stroy is adorable!
December 17, 2024
eponymous sentence:
p7: She gave him the day of his dreams, a day of glittering frost, and pale-blue sky, and a primrose-yellow sun.
Is this a layman's version of becoming a made man?
Read as part of the collection The Listerdale Mystery and Eleven Other Stories.
p7: She gave him the day of his dreams, a day of glittering frost, and pale-blue sky, and a primrose-yellow sun.
Is this a layman's version of becoming a made man?
Read as part of the collection The Listerdale Mystery and Eleven Other Stories.
February 26, 2025
Edward Robinson leads a rather ordinary life. He's engaged and his partner is always putting the kibosh on his desires. He wins some money and buys a car. Not something she would have approved. Then he takes it for a ride that will forever change him.
January 18, 2025
A funny little short story.
January 23, 2025
Uit zo’n verhaaltjes is het duidelijk dat Agatha een romantische ziel heeft! Ik heb er echt van genoten!
May 29, 2023
Wat zijn die korte verhaaltjes van AC toch verrassend mooi.
January 15, 2026
More romance than crime and all quite upperclass and outside the world I know. Still the writing carries intent and is well paced with almost the need to see what happens next.
Unfortunately, the story doesn’t quite relate to me and but for the author’s name and placement in a collection of her works, I would not have been drawn to read it. Difficult to criticise as the story is from 1924 a different era. As an historical piece it had merit and throws light on the author’s own background and social circle.
I liked the concept of taking control of one’s life especially in terms of courtship and preparation for marriage. Gerald sees himself as the worm that turns but honestly his notions of love and happiness left me frustrated.
I liked the story in terms of self discovery but found it less than credible and a poor reflection of the period it represents. The characters had little substance and the outcome less than believable.
I take from it the need to test oneself but I am not sure Gerald and Maud deserve each other.
Unfortunately, the story doesn’t quite relate to me and but for the author’s name and placement in a collection of her works, I would not have been drawn to read it. Difficult to criticise as the story is from 1924 a different era. As an historical piece it had merit and throws light on the author’s own background and social circle.
I liked the concept of taking control of one’s life especially in terms of courtship and preparation for marriage. Gerald sees himself as the worm that turns but honestly his notions of love and happiness left me frustrated.
I liked the story in terms of self discovery but found it less than credible and a poor reflection of the period it represents. The characters had little substance and the outcome less than believable.
I take from it the need to test oneself but I am not sure Gerald and Maud deserve each other.
December 16, 2025
I forgot to mention Agatha is quite the romantic. Often her tale involves the con-artist complacent luring the naive young dupe into the plot with fend of affections; sometimes there's a wedding at the end. In this case, Mr Robinson discovers himself (and manhood) with the femme fatal and returns to his true heart for the happy ending. Everyone loves a happily ever after tale. QED
March 13, 2021
Edward is engaged to Maud and she is emasculating him. She is so practical and disciplined that Edward hides from her that he won $500 and that he used the money to buy a car. When he is out joy riding one day, he gets out to enjoy the view and accidentally gets into the wrong car and finds a ruby necklace in the seat with a note to meet at a rendezvous spot. Since his car is gone he decides to go to the meeting place and see if he can switch cars. Instead he meets a woman who mistakes him for someone else and they go off to dinner where she wears the necklace. Apparently she and her other bored, rich friends have a game where they steal something from rich person and they must display it in public for at least an hour without getting caught in order to win. Eventually Edward gets his car back and goes home and tells Maud that he isn’t going to take her controlling everything anymore and she swoons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2017
What I like about Agatha's work is that it starts from a point of view and always ends in a different one. This story has the beauty of her usual mystery, yet it develops itself to a romance kind of category .
April 16, 2019
This was more of a romance than a mystery, but quite funny. Edward loves books and dreams of a more adventurous life, until one day he decides to start somewhere and buys a car. With that first step, he's swept into a fun little adventure with a dash of mystery.
June 10, 2020
What a fun book this was. It revolves around the main Character, Edward. He wins £500 and buys a car. The story takes an unusual twist when he goes for a walk and returns to what he assumes is his car.
June 30, 2024
how i wish agatha would allow the cinderella story to end properly, with the glass slipper returned and the princess married (but she’s always too staunchly traditional for that). i can’t help but think edward deserves still more romance though…a single glittering evening is much too little.
September 15, 2024
2 1/2 stars.
March 29, 2020
Read 2020
June 22, 2021
A short story. Light and entertaining.
December 28, 2024
I've definitely read this one before. Still good.
January 28, 2025
Delightful story of Edward Robinson, who is a sometimes reader of romance novels and who feels he has no adventure in his life. For one night he gets more adventure than he bargained for!
December 12, 2025
33 mins
November 6, 2025
Listened to this one again as part of another book. This time read by Hugh Fraser. Excellently done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews