The 19 Club

by A.J. Alan

A famous short story

Genres: Mystery

Unknown Binding

About the author

Leslie Harrison Lambert, known as A.J. Alan, was an English magician, intelligence officer, short story writer and radio broadcaster.

Lambert contacted a member of the then British Broadcasting Company to suggest he might tell one of his own short stories on the radio. This was accepted and so, as A. J. Alan, he broadcast My Adventure in Jermyn Street, on 31 January 1924. Following his immediate success, he quickly became one of the most popular broadcasting personalities of the time. He went to considerable trouble over writing each story, taking a couple of months over each one, and only broadcasting about five times a year. He carefully constructed an apparently extemporary, conversational, style making his stories seem like anecdotes concerning strange events that had happened to him. The endings were whimsical and unexpected.

Contrary to the common belief that his stories were told "off the cuff", Lambert took immense care over his broadcasts which were, of course, live. He used cards rather than papers to avoid rustling noises and kept a candle lit in case the lights failed.[1][8] He always wore a dinner jacket and Stuart Hibberd described him as "a neat figure in perfectly cut evening dress, with eye glass and a slim black brief case". It was known that "A. J. Alan" was not his true name but only once, in 1933, was his identity guessed when an old school friend, by then living in Jamaica, recognised his voice. Many of his stories were subsequently printed in newspapers and magazines and were included in anthologies of short stories. Three collections of his stories have been published.

From 1937 his health was not good so he reduced his radio work and made his last broadcast on 21 March 1940.

[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._J....]

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sly, understated mystery told in A.J. Alan's signature conversational style. The narrator, who also serves as the secretary of the secretive “19 Club,” recounts a peculiar incident involving a journalist who stumbles upon the club’s existence and becomes obsessed with uncovering its secrets.

The club itself is deliberately enigmatic, its members are anonymous, its purpose unclear, and its location unlisted. When the outsider begins asking questions, the narrator and his fellow members go to increasingly elaborate lengths to maintain their secrecy. What begins as a lighthearted anecdote gradually takes on a more unsettling tone, as the narrator’s actions to protect the club’s anonymity become morally ambiguous.

[ناني ماكفي لا أملك حساب ثاني]

A secretive gentlemen’s dining society meets twice a year. On these occasions they invite a guest speaker… always somebody who has done something extraordinary, like flying to Australia and back, driving across China… or some incredible criminal feat such as robbing the Bank of England. On the search for the next speaker, the Club Secretary spots an account of a most extraordinary jail-break in the East Indies and decides to try to track down the escapee. A course of events is set in motion which nobody could predict...
the man stumbles accidently to a club and became obsessed with it
a club that his members place purpose remain secret and anonymous

[Alannah Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charmingly peculiar tale with a distinctly old-fashioned flavour. A.J. Alan’s dry wit and conversational storytelling lend the narrative a cosy, fireside feel, as though one were being regaled by a clever uncle with a penchant for the bizarre. The premise a secretive club with mysterious rules is intriguing, and Alan’s knack for understatement adds a layer of subtle humour throughout.

However, while the story is amusing and well-paced, it doesn’t quite leave a lasting impression. It’s more of a diverting anecdote than a gripping yarn. Enjoyable in the moment, but not one I’d rush to revisit. Worth a read if you fancy something light, quirky, and quintessentially British.

[Gaialy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Perhaps some of you have tried going through those [revolving] doors two at one. It’s a bit of a squeeze at the best of times when both of you are alive. But you try when one of you is not. It’s no fun at all” 🤣

[Arimi Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's not much I can say without spoiling the story but given how old this story was, I found it funny 😄

[Tony Ciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

weird, horror, mystery, short story

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's weird, it's mysterious, it's short while it's also hilarious.
Atmospheric and twisted in its own way, with that unmistakable British humor that always gets me.

[A Ms.Bennet]

"Some people just don’t like when other people mind their own business." written 1932...
how very true to this day... human nature is a curious thing

[AvidReader318 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very English humoured short story!

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a story from the perspective of the narrator who is in club 19,which is just called so cause of the day founded being on the 19th if i remember correctly and many other details around the number 19 ive forgotten ,he explains everything in a humerous unserious but entertaining way such as obscure stories as going through revolving doors that could be difficult if you not only have to squeeze in there with just anliving stranger but a dead one . Full of British humor and about the absurdities of life .