The Queen Versus Billy, and Other Stories: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Queen Versus Billy, and Other Stories: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Queen Versus Billy, and Other Stories is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Osbourne, Lloyd (1868–1947).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Queen Versus Billy, and Other Stories" by Lloyd Osbourne is a collection of short stories likely written in the late 19th century. The narratives explore themes of colonialism, justice, and the moral dilemmas faced by characters in perilous situations, with "The Queen Versus Billy" focusing on the trial of a young black man named Billy accused of murder in the Solomon Islands. This story delves into the complexities of cultural encounters and the effects of colonial rule on both the indigenous peoples and the colonizers. The opening of "The Queen Versus Billy" introduces Captain Casement, tasked with investigating the murder of a British trader in the Solomon Islands. As he arrives at the desolate Sunflower Bay, he learns of the brutal history of violence against traders and the tensions between the colonizers and the local population. The narrative captures the captain's apprehension about administering justice and the moral complications involved in punishing a young boy, Billy, who claims culpability for the trader's murder. The story sets the stage for a courtroom drama that examines the nature of guilt and innocence in a fractured community, hinting at the deeper societal issues at play.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Queen Versus Billy, and Other Stories
- Author credits: Osbourne, Lloyd (1868–1947)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Oceania -- Fiction
- Short stories, American
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Historical Novels
- Category: Short Stories
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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.
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