Again Sanders

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Again Sanders

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in colonial Africa, this collection follows District Commissioner Sanders and his eccentric officer, Bones, as they navigate the complexities of their jurisdiction. Blending adventure, mystery, and dark humor, the stories explore moral dilemmas, cultural clashes, and the absurdities of imperial administration through the eyes of a man who treats magic and science with equal skepticism.

Summary up to 500 words

Edgar Wallace's *Again Sanders* presents a satirical collection of interconnected tales set within the British colonial administration in Africa. The narrative is anchored by Mr. Sanders, a district commissioner who observes the bizarre, dangerous, and often humorous events of his command with a cynical wit. His most frequent companion is Lieutenant Tibbetts, known as 'Bones,' a scientist whose attempts to apply modern knowledge—astronomy, biology, and chemistry—to a world steeped in superstition frequently lead to chaos. Their interactions are defined by a banter that highlights the absurdity of their situation, oscillating between slapstick comedy and serious reflection on the human cost of colonial rule. The stories range from the trivial to the tragic. In one tale, a local chief named Makara attempts to modernize his village by organizing a secret slave trade, only to be thwarted by Sanders's scrutiny. Another narrative follows Theresa, a woman who engages in elaborate magical rituals involving a 'snake god.' Her belief in the deity leads to a chaotic excavation that inadvertently drains a marsh and creates a new lake, illustrating the collision of indigenous belief and Western intervention. The book also features M'gala, a man cursed from birth to bring misfortune to anyone he touches. His presence triggers a series of unfortunate accidents, culminating in financial ruin and death for the colonial officials who underestimate his power. A significant plot thread involves the arrival of an American anthropological commission. These scientists are misled by the locals and Bones's exaggerated storytelling about 'Splendid Things' and green crocodiles, exposing the arrogance of colonial officials and the naive optimism of Western science when faced with the realities of the African landscape. Through these encounters, Wallace critiques the arrogance of the administration and the dangers of imposing scientific rationality on a culture where the line between 'ju-ju' and fact is often blurred by fate. Ultimately, the collection offers a poignant look at the intersection of civilization and savagery. It portrays a world where the eccentricities of characters like Bones and the whims of fate render the distinctions between superstition and science meaningless, leaving the colonial officers vulnerable to the very forces they seek to control.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/edgar-wallace_again-sanders.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-6aac4624370496de.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-01 08:50 UTC

Categories

• Short Stories
• Adventure
• Fiction