The revenge of Samuel Stokes

About the Category

Penelope Lively published The revenge of Samuel Stokes in 1981, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of horror from International. The book's treatment of the human condition accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The revenge of Samuel Stokes among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 43/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The revenge of Samuel Stokes is how it handles its central concerns — the human condition — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Within International's literary landscape, Penelope Lively occupies a significant position. The revenge of Samuel Stokes is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.

About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.