{"product_id":"2026100010244-secondhand-the-best-after-dinner-stories","title":"The Best After-Dinner Stories","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition remarks:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBook: Very good\u003cbr\u003eJacket: Slipcase: Good\u003cbr\u003ePages: Good\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere is a particular art to the after-dinner story — the perfectly timed anecdote, the slow-burn wit, the punchline that lands like a well-placed dessert — and The Best After-Dinner Stories gathers the finest examples of this venerable tradition into one irresistible volume. Selected and introduced by Tim Heald, this anthology presents a masterfully curated collection of comic and convivial tales drawn from some of literature's most celebrated wits, chronicling the full spectrum of human folly, warmth, and absurdity with an elegance befitting the finest dining room.\n\nHeald, a seasoned author and biographer with a sharp eye for literary quality and comic timing, brings authoritative discernment to his selections, illustrating why the short story — at its best — remains one of the most potent and pleasurable forms of written entertainment. Accompanied by Paul Cox's distinctive and playful illustrations, this Folio Society edition is as handsome as it is entertaining, a testament to the enduring power of a well-told tale. Whether you arrive as a devotee of classic humour or simply a lover of fine writing, this collection will leave you reaching for one more glass — and one more story.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secondhand Stock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50948328456411,"sku":"2026100010244-SECONDHAND","price":25.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/7646\/9701\/files\/9c919113-0bc3-4582-92b3-0b8fe4f7beb4.png?v=1793104829","url":"https:\/\/bookgrocer.com\/products\/2026100010244-secondhand-the-best-after-dinner-stories","provider":"Book Grocer","version":"1.0","type":"link"}