The man with a grouch: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The man with a grouch: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The man with a grouch is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Stacpoole, H. De Vere (Henry De Vere) (1863–1951).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Man with a Grouch" by H. De Vere Stacpoole is a novella set in the South Seas, likely written during the early 20th century. This story revolves around the themes of dissatisfaction and human nature, focusing on Christopher Flexner, a trader who has been dismissed from his position and finds himself reflecting on his life choices and circumstances as Christmas approaches in the midst of tropical beauty. The narrative follows Flexner as he navigates his emotional turmoil after losing his job while also dealing with thoughts of his home in England and the Christmas traditions he cherishes. His fortunes take a drastic turn when he unexpectedly discovers a mass of ambergris—an extremely valuable substance produced by sperm whales—while out on the sea. Though this newfound wealth could transform his circumstances, Flexner's underlying dissatisfaction continues to haunt him, highlighting a profound commentary on human nature and the paradox of finding happiness amid material success. Ultimately, the story delves into Flexner's struggle with his own grouchiness and his longing for a sense of contentment in life, regardless of the riches before him.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The man with a grouch
- Author credits: Stacpoole, H. De Vere (Henry De Vere) (1863–1951)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Islands of the Pacific -- Fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


