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What Not: A Prophetic Comedy: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

What Not: A Prophetic Comedy: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Published by Pop Culture Files••2 min read•Automatically generated · review not guaranteed
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

What Not: A Prophetic Comedy is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Macaulay, Rose (1881–1958).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"What Not: A Prophetic Comedy" by Rose Macaulay is a satirical novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in the aftermath of the Great War, focusing on a fictional future in which a governmental entity called the Ministry of Brains has been established to promote intelligence and manage social progress. The narrative introduces the main character, Ivy Delmer, a typist navigating a whimsical yet disconcerting society governed by quirky regulations around intellectual capabilities." "The opening of the novel establishes the chaotic context after the Great War, showcasing the seemingly mundane life of London commuters as they travel to work amidst reflections on the war's impacts and the uncertain future. Ivy Delmer is portrayed as a young, naive typist at the Ministry of Brains, who embodies both innocence and a burgeoning curiosity about the world. As the narrative unfolds, we meet other characters, including her sophisticated colleague Miss Kitty Grammont and the ambitious Vernon Prideaux, hinting at the tensions between intellect, societal expectations, and individual desire in this new era. The chapter sets a tone of dark humor and social critique, foreshadowing the exploration of themes surrounding intelligence, societal roles, and the absurdities of bureaucratic governance that characterize the book."

Book and edition facts

  • Title: What Not: A Prophetic Comedy
  • Author credits: Macaulay, Rose (1881–1958)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Bureaucracy -- Fiction
  • England -- Fiction
  • Satire
  • Science fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: British Literature
  • Category: Humour
  • Category: Novels
  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy

Read this edition

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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