Over the Plum Pudding

"Over the Plum-Pudding" by John Kendrick Bangs is a whimsical collection of lighthearted stories centered around a failed Christmas book and its editor, Horace Wilkinson. Wilkinson explains to the reader that the book was never published because of the antics of famous authors like Rudyard Kipling, whose lively characters caused comical disorder within the planned anthology. As Wilkinson reveals his interactions with these literary figures, offering funny stories about their contributions, the narrative becomes a humorous exploration of the publishing industry, all while promising holiday cheer. The book starts with a tone of ironic amusement, hinting that the joy and chaos of these tales are very real, even if the book itself never came to light.