Coffee and Repartee

John Kendrick Bangs' Coffee and Repartee invites you into the witty world of a Victorian gentleman's boarding house, where breakfast conversations become battlegrounds of clever wordplay and hidden agendas. First published in 1893, this humorous fiction collection captures a series of lively chats presided over by the sharp-tongued Mrs. Smithers, where a peculiar resident known only as "The Idiot" engages his fellow boarders in relentless verbal sparring. What appears on the surface as genteel banter quickly reveals itself as sly combat—filled with ribald humor, cunning charm, and surprisingly offensive jabs that challenge the era's veneer of refined etiquette. Each breakfast scene crackles with tension as The Idiot parries and thrusts with unexpected skill, leaving readers wondering whether he'll outwit his housemates or fall victim to their collective wit. Bangs masterfully balances satire with social commentary, exposing the gap between Victorian propriety and human nature. This witty, fast-paced collection is perfect for anyone who appreciates intelligent humor, period literature, or clever dialogue. Whether you're a fan of classic comedy or simply enjoy watching characters clash through words rather than swords, Coffee and Repartee delivers memorable entertainment that proves some of the sharpest weapons are conversational.