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Selected Stories (Oxford World's Classics) by Katherine Mansfield (11-Sep-2008) Paperback
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 21, 2020
I think i have found my favourite classic author. Katherine Mansfield wrote a simple story, too simple for my liking actually but she managed to illustrate the true complexity of women's feelings. The fear of abandonment, the insecurity of not being loved anymore and the isolation that women felt when she reached certain age, it was all out in the open in majority of the stories. Besides that, Katherine also did write about traditional parenting styles and gender roles of men and women in few of her short stories. There are 18 stories picked by Terry Obrien (Editor) and compiled in this book. My favorite stories are The tiredness of Rosabel,The wrong House, A cup of Tea, An indiscreet Journey, Late at night, The black cap and Sixpence and How Pearl Button was kidnapped. Overall, i am looking forward to read more of her short stories.
January 22, 2021
I googled for best short story writers and there came an article by fold magazine featuring ten of the best short story writers. That's how Katherine Mansfield and also that's how I learnt that there's something called modernist literature and she's one of the greats of the time.
This book is a collection of her short stories;18 of them. A short book with 130 pages and need I say more about the length of each story?
Mansfield was a writer who definitely reflected on her times and situations. Hence, few of the short stories had the first world war; either as a backdrop or a scar from a regular citizen's perspective.
Her most renowned short story, the garden party hits it hard with the epiphany that life and death coexist, irrespective of class. This story also poses some really important moral and existential questions in a reader's mind.
Three of the stories focused on parenting and children which were fresh, subtle and moving.
One or two stories reads like a thriller and those you'd never see it coming and catches you off-guard! 🌚 And few had a theme of fantasies and day dreams - ofcourse dealing with the real world problems, thus grounded and relevant.
But, one that will stay with me for its absolute unique quality is a story called "A cup of tea", which speaks of false generosity. I haven't read any story that covered this theme cleverly, subtly and beautifully.
Over-all, these stories were fun to read. Especially, a story called the black cap and it's protagonist! That woman was outright savage! Especially, when you have a prejudice that classics could be serious. Nope, these stories and their characters are really cool, in a way.
However, the downfall (minor) of the book is that Rupa publishers didn't include some of her most notable short stories. So, don't be surprised if you google Mansfield's best short stories and easily find four or five her most noted ones missing. And instead, filling up those pages with other lukewarm stories. I wouldn't say they were bad, but they were alright. Over-all, it's a great read.
This book is a collection of her short stories;18 of them. A short book with 130 pages and need I say more about the length of each story?
Mansfield was a writer who definitely reflected on her times and situations. Hence, few of the short stories had the first world war; either as a backdrop or a scar from a regular citizen's perspective.
Her most renowned short story, the garden party hits it hard with the epiphany that life and death coexist, irrespective of class. This story also poses some really important moral and existential questions in a reader's mind.
Three of the stories focused on parenting and children which were fresh, subtle and moving.
One or two stories reads like a thriller and those you'd never see it coming and catches you off-guard! 🌚 And few had a theme of fantasies and day dreams - ofcourse dealing with the real world problems, thus grounded and relevant.
But, one that will stay with me for its absolute unique quality is a story called "A cup of tea", which speaks of false generosity. I haven't read any story that covered this theme cleverly, subtly and beautifully.
Over-all, these stories were fun to read. Especially, a story called the black cap and it's protagonist! That woman was outright savage! Especially, when you have a prejudice that classics could be serious. Nope, these stories and their characters are really cool, in a way.
However, the downfall (minor) of the book is that Rupa publishers didn't include some of her most notable short stories. So, don't be surprised if you google Mansfield's best short stories and easily find four or five her most noted ones missing. And instead, filling up those pages with other lukewarm stories. I wouldn't say they were bad, but they were alright. Over-all, it's a great read.
June 8, 2020
Really enjoyed:
* "The Garden Party" (Madyha's fave too). Illustrates the divides between classes & frankly how "helpless" the middle/upper class is both when it comes to relating to and helping the poor. And how easy & warming it is to return to the bubble of privilege.
* "Late at Night" all my online dating angst, 1900 edition. How easy it is to overanalyze & stress about unsuccessful forays into love. She buys socks for a man (in whom she's interested). who coldly informs her he's regifting them. She feels like she's aging and she feels alone.
* "The Garden Party" (Madyha's fave too). Illustrates the divides between classes & frankly how "helpless" the middle/upper class is both when it comes to relating to and helping the poor. And how easy & warming it is to return to the bubble of privilege.
* "Late at Night" all my online dating angst, 1900 edition. How easy it is to overanalyze & stress about unsuccessful forays into love. She buys socks for a man (in whom she's interested). who coldly informs her he's regifting them. She feels like she's aging and she feels alone.
May 25, 2024
Read this alongside a 6 week online course on Katherine Mansfield with Literature Cambridge. Absolutely love KM's stories and happy to know more about her. This is a good collection, in chronological order.
October 22, 2024
actual 3.75
December 3, 2025
“Felicità” di Katherine Mansfield edizione Garzanti i piccoli grandi libri
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews