
THE DREAMERS
JOHN KENDRICK BANGS - WITH ILLUSTRATIONS By EDWARD PENFIELD
THE DREAMERS: A CLUB
I. THE IDEA
II. IN WHICH THOMAS SNOBBE, ESQ., OF YONKERS, UNFOLDS A TALE
III. IN WHICH A MINCE-PIE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A REMARKABLE COINCIDENCE
IV. BEING THE CONTRIBUTION OF MR. BEDFORD PARKE - THE OVERCOAT A FARCE. IN TWO SCENES
V. THE SALVATION OF FINDLAYSON
VI. IN WHICH HARRY SNOBBE RECITES A TALE OF GLOOM
VII. THE DREAMERS DISCUSS A MAGAZINE POEM
A small group of self‑styled “dreamers” gathers in an elegant New York hotel to turn a lofty notion into a workable club, and the first meeting becomes a lively parade of eccentric personalities. Tenafly Paterson, Dobbs Ferry, and a host of pseudo‑intellectuals spin lofty theories into absurd banter, arguing over everything from the proper phrasing of a poem to the provenance of a missing diamond. Their conversations are peppered with witty sketches, mock‑serious lectures, and the occasional “mince‑pie” incident that spirals into a remarkable coincidence, hinting at the thin line between imagination and reality. The tone is delightfully tongue‑in‑cheek, offering a snapshot of turn‑of‑the‑century literary society as it frolics through satire and gentle parody.
The opening chapters set the stage for a series of whimsical episodes—Harry Snobbe’s gloomy recitals, Dolly’s unexpected visit to Chicago, and a creeping wave of yellow journalism that threatens to overwhelm their lofty ideals. Each vignette is illustrated with playful drawings that reinforce the book’s breezy, almost theatrical spirit. Listeners are invited into a world where ideas are both lofty and hilariously grounded, promising a charmingly off‑beat exploration of friendship, ambition, and the joy of dreaming together.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (165K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Steve Read, Suzanne Shell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2011-02-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1922
Best known for witty fantasy and sharp satire, this American writer helped inspire the term “Bangsian fantasy” with stories that imagine lively adventures in the afterlife. He also built a long career as an editor, poet, lecturer, and humorist with a gift for playful, polished storytelling.
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