Tobermory

About Tobermory

Saki uses the talking animal to expose the fragility of polite conversation. The guests' enthusiasm for novelty lasts only until knowledge threatens their private arrangements and unflattering remarks. The cat's composure sharply contrasts with the humans' improvisations, turning a fantastic premise into a precise comedy about discretion and the limits of curiosity.

Reading focus

Enjoy a sharp social satire in which a talking cat threatens the private remarks on which civilized conversation quietly depends.

This reading edition contains 2,721 words in 1 original section. Read the text online with adjustable type and three colour themes, or keep a printable PDF.

Author: Saki. Language: English. Reading edition: 28 October 2026.

Opening excerpt

It was a chill, rain-washed afternoon of a late August day, that indefinite season when partridges are still in security or cold storage, and there is nothing to hunt—unless one is bounded on the north by the Bristol Channel, in which case one may lawfully gallop after fat red stags. Lady Blemley's house-party was not bounded on the north by the Bristol Channel, hence there was a full gathering of her guests round the tea-table on this particular afternoon. And, in spite of the blankness of the season and the triteness of the occasion, there was no trace in the company of that fatigued restlessness which means a dread of the pianola and a subdued hankering for auction bridge. The…

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