Two Gentlemen and a Lady

by Alexander Woollcott, Edwina (illustrator)

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Short Stories

112 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Alexander Humphreys Woollcott (1887-1943) was an American drama critic and commentator for The New Yorker magazine, a member of the Algonquin Round Table, an occasional actor and playwright, and a prominent radio personality.

Reviews

[Coleccionista de finales tristes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es la historia de una perra junto a su amo durante la guerra.

(Las mejores historias sobre perros)

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

A diverting collection of short stories about dogs in the early 20th century; their loyalties, their purpose in life and the bonds that they form with humans. The first story in the collection written in epistolatory form was the strongest. Thank you to Pushkin Press for bringing these stories back into print. They provided a pleasant diversion in the hour it took me to read them.

Thank you to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for sharing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Becky Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming -a perfect gift book for any dog lover.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old book by Alexander Woolcott anout 3 dogs. Charming

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two Gentlemen and a Lady is a delightful nod to classic literature, and I love that works like this are still being preserved and shared. The collection contains three short stories, all centered around doggos, which, frankly, is an easy way to win me over. How can anyone resist a book about dogs?

The writing is in that charming, old-fashioned English, which gives the book a refined, almost nostalgic feel. It's beautifully composed and lends the stories an elegance that modern writing often skips.

Of the three, the first story was my favorite. It stood out for its wit, humor, and character, and I found it easier to read than the other two. While the remaining stories were still enjoyable, the first had a spark that made it especially memorable.

At under an hour to read, it's a perfect little time filler—a light, charming escape that reminds you why old literature still has a place on modern shelves.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Arc

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publishing date: 26.08.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Three little short stories in one book all about dogs. Or, as the book specified in the blurb, man and woman's best friend.

Story one was bittersweet, told mostly in the form of letters. Second strongest story in the collection.
Story two was also bittersweet, told like a tale in a pub. This is my favorite of the collection.
Story three was more so funny, also told like a tale in a pub. This is, in my opinion, the weakest in the collection.

Also there are illustrations to accompany the different stories and I found these to be just delightful. Charming works with a great artstyle.

I would recommend this collection to anyone thinking short stories with dogs in the spotlight sounds fun. "The Story of Verdun Belle" one is my strongest recommendation.

Giving this 4 stars, hit the spot, but I wish there were more.

[Rachel N · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely wonderful little book! Originally published almost 100 years ago and long out of print, the writing still sparkles and the three stories, all focused on dogs, are funny and charming. The cartoon illustrations are also beautiful, completely capturing the personalities of the dogs in the stories.

The author, Alexander Woolcott, was a critic writing for the New York Times and the New Yorker and was a member of the Algonquin Round Table alongside the likes of Dorothy Parker. Like her, he was famous at the time for his wit and it shows throughout this book, particularly in my own favourite about a terrier dog bought by a well to do gentleman in Long Island. I have to admit I’d never heard of him before but I couldn’t have enjoyed this any more than I did.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Haxxunne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jazz Age delight in man’s best friend
—
I’m not a short story aficionado so I rarely choose to read short story collections, but this reissue of a long out-of-print trio of shorts on man’s best friend from the Jazz Age is truly a delight, enhanced by the animated illustrations. Channelling Lady And The Tramp by way of James Thurber, the three stories share not only their doggy main characters but also a generally uplifting tone. Products of their times, Woollcott’s style is breezy and jovial and this book will keep me smiling for some time.

Three and a half stars

[Katie O’Reilly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book of comical dog stories from 1928 and it is very difficult to rate because here is the breakdown:

1st story - a man gets a new dog and it upends his whole lavishly wealthy household (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5, extremely funny)

2nd story - a dog in the trenches during WWI (⭐️, depressing as f*ck, hated this one)

3rd story - a German shepherd works to rescue swimmers whether they need it or not (⭐️⭐️, very boring)

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 short stories with about loyal dogs … tongue-in-cheek, charming tales.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming short little book written in the 1920s containing 3 stories about 3 dogs. Light hearted and cute and reminds me of the power of the human-animal bond. ❤️

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three charming and witty short stories about dogs written during the 1920s accompanied by delightful pen and ink illustrations. The third is the weakest of the lot.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute treasure. The text is charming and witty, and the drawings capture uncannily the delightful canine spirit.

[Michael Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly worth seeking out due to Edwina's accompanying dog illustrations. Woollcott's verbose stories don't live up to the charm of the illustrations. I was a bit disappointed.