Further Recollections

by Mark Shackleton

Further Recollections is a companion volume to Recollections, its very popular forerunner. Further Recollections is an anthology of ten short stories by well-known modern writers. The stories are arranged in pairs, both stories exploring the same theme from a different perspective.

Surprise
Saki: The Story-Teller
Somerset Maugham: The Verger

Temptation
Stan Barstow: One of the Virtues
Frank O'Connor: The Man of the House

Decision
Graham Greene: A Shocking Accident
Muriel Spark: You Should Have Seen the Mess

Crime
Roald Dahl: Lamb to the Slaughter
James Thurber: The Catbird Seat

Loneliness
Susan Hill: How Soon Can I Leave?
Katherine Mansfield: Miss Brill

The stories are not abridged or simplified.

Each story is folllowed by:
- a glossary explaining essential words whose meaning cannot easily be deduced from context.
- questions designed to help with comprehension and appreciation.
- language activities to help the reader explore the text from a linguistic point of view.
- ideas which provide a starting point for creative writing.

Each pair of stories is followed by:
- questions and discussion topics comparing the different writers' treatment of a theme.

Genres: Fiction

155 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1990

Reviews

[Federico DN · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to go wrong with short stories compilations.

One of those whitered books found in the old family bookcase. I think I read them while I was still at primary school, during english classes.

Five themes: Surprise, Temptation, Decision, Loneliness and Crime; two short stories for each. Half of it is just glossary, comprehension questions and activities, still, the good ones made it worthwhile.

★★★★☆ "The Verger" by Somerset Maugham
★★★★☆ "A Shocking Accident" by Graham Greene
★★★☆☆ "The Story-Teller" by Saki
★★★☆☆ "One of the Virtues" by Stan Barstow
★★☆☆☆ "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl
★★☆☆☆ "The Man of the House" by Frank O'Connor
★☆☆☆☆ "How Soon Can I Leave" by Susan Hill
★☆☆☆☆ "Miss Brill" by Katherine Mansfield.
☆☆☆☆☆ "You Should Have Seen the Mess" by Muriel Spark. (Really disliked this one)

I have mixed feelings regarding "The Catbird Seat" by James Thurber, call it a wildcard.

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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1990] [155p] [Anthology] [Partly Recommendable] [School]
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Es difícil equivocarse con una compilación de cuentos cortos.

Uno de esos desgastados libros encontrados en la vieja biblioteca familiar. Creo que los leí cuando todavía estaba en la primaria, durante las clases de inglés.

Cinco temas: Sorpresa, Tentación, Decisión, Soledad y Crimen: dos cuentos cortos para cada uno. La mitad es sólo glosario, preguntas de comprensión y actividades, igual, los buenos hicieron que valga la pena.

★★★★☆ "El Portero" por Somerset Maugham
★★★★☆ "Un Accidente Impactante" por Graham Greene
★★★☆☆ "El Narrador" por Saki
★★★☆☆ "Una de las Virtudes" por Stan Barstow
★★☆☆☆ "Cordero al Matadero" por Roald Dahl
★★☆☆☆ "El Hombre de la Casa" por Frank O'Connor
★☆☆☆☆ "How Soon Can I Leave" por Susan Hill
★☆☆☆☆ "Srita. Brill" por Katherine Mansfield.
☆☆☆☆☆ "Deberías Haber Visto el Desorden" por Muriel Spark. (Realmente me desagradó éste)

Tengo sentimientos cruzados respecto "The Catbird Seat" de James Thurber, ponele que es un comodín.

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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1990] [155p] [Antología] [Parcialmente Recomendable] [Escuela]
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[mlle-cassis]

Actually read the Vol. 1 but was too lazy to create the file on the database. :D

A book I had to buy as a teenager for school. Promised myself to read it. Someday. Which is done now, almost 20 years later. (hum)