Mr. Carteret and Others

"Mr. Carteret and Others" by David Gray is a collection of connected stories that takes place in the early 1900s. The main character, Mr. Carteret, is an unusual American man as he tries to get used to society in England, especially the fox hunting scene. Using funny conversations with British nobles and meetings with fascinating people, the book looks at the differences between cultures and what society expects. Early in the story, we find Mr. Carteret at a party where people are talking about horseback riding and hunting, and through amusing arguments with other people such as Lord Frederic and Major Hammerslea, they start thinking about asking Native Americans to join in on a hunting trip. Carteret is always in the middle of all the craziness as he attempts to stay calm while dealing with the ridiculous things going on. This beginning creates a mix of humor and observations that is present throughout the entire book.