No it is the author Katherine Mansfield to whom I refer, and last year having read her autobiographical work The Journal, a Persephone Books acquisition, I was prompted to find out more about her poetry and posted one of her poems here.
I have now picked up from the library a slim volume of 15 short stories. "Innovative, startlingly perceptive and aglow with colour" The Garden Party and Other Stories promises to be a great read. Many are set in the author's native New Zealand, others in the South of France and England. I don't usually read short stories but the lovely HKatz at The Sill of the World has whetted my appetite with her excellent regular reviews on the genre.
'Kisses, voices, tinkling spoons, laughter, the smell of crushed grass'
.... oh doesn't that just sum up the joy of a 1920s Garden Party on a deliciously warm Summer's day ..... sigh ....
but back to the here and now with a glorious Autumnal image from my garden today ....
..... nice - just look at that sky!
At the beginning of this year I resolved to read/re-read a number of Daphne du Maurier novels starting with Rebecca and I enjoyed her writing immensely. I'm often drawn to early to mid 20th century female writers and plan to kick start 2012 with Elizabeth Bowen, Winifred Holtby and Dorothy Whipple. With the dark winter evenings already upon us my reading list will again take precedence. A favourite cosy reading chair, replete with warm woollen throws beckons ....
What will you be reading this winter?
Jeanne
x
PS I will pop back in a couple of days with a Katherine Mansfield poem.
21 comments:
What a lovely post,just coming out of our winter and bang right into summer, I am finding that I must learn to read again next cold season as this year i crochet most of the spare time i had,my husband re discovered reading on the last wet weekend and he is loving it,he has turned off the telly and reading of an evening...me...I am trying to get my Christmas sewing done..I am looking forward to the poem.
What a lovely reading list. I've been trying to make more time for reading lately ... I must try harder!
I love Persephone books but as I only get to read a few pages a night It Takes AGES to finish a book, I love reading though and want to read something Christmasy next, to get me in the mood!
xxx
You would love the literature room in Truro library where I work.We have a biog of Katherine Mansfield.What an interesting writer and woman she was. Persephone is a great publisher,such exquisite volumes.
Enjoy your winter reading! all the best Angela
Hello Jeanne:
The period about which you are currently reading is also of great interest for us and the novelists you mention, particularly Elizabeth Bowen, are writers we too admire.
If you do not already know her, then you may also enjoy the novels of Elizabeth Taylor who, although a little bit later [mid C20],writes with much charm and whose characters become exceptional through being unexceptional.
Jeanne, I am also drawn to writers in the earlier part of the 20th century, the famous roundtable with Dorothy Parker, F. Scott Fitzgerald with The Great Gatsby and on and on. I have seen Rebecca too many times to count, love it!
Eileen
I haven't read anything by Katherine Mansfield but recently re-read South Riding by Winifred Holtby and I've read The Priory by Dothothy Whipple, I'd like to read another of her novels. Winter reading depends on what I can find at the library I have the latest books by Susan Hill and Alexander McCall Smith reseved at the moment. I like to read something seasonal over Christmas:)
Studied one of her short stories for O Level (which dates it). Was one of my favourites - so honest and unsensational, unlike D H Lawrence, who we were expected to fawn over.
I used to teach a bit of Mansfield back in the day Jeanne! I am on the hunt for a new reading list as I have just finished a few novels set in the 18th century and now fancy something wintry to suit the season. Love short stories as they have such a small space to create an impact x
You've inspired me to take a look at Katherine Mansfield. I spend time reading Rebecca during the summer and loved it so must read more Du Maurier over the winter.
Liz
I've got out of the habit of reading over the last few years, though I was never seen without a book in my hand when I was younger. I've just rediscovered books now that I have a little more time on my hands, in fact, I've just done a post on my Through The Keyhole blog about some books I've picked up recently.
Ah, now that's a very good question. I've gotten into the habit of bringing my long- commute- books- on- tape into the house and listening after dinner by the fire. I'm so amazed at how good readers create all the characters with just one voice. Gotta put together a new list for the library, cause I'm almost through the last pile.
Enjoy the autumn, here we just got dumped with 2 feet of snow.... yikes!
'Kisses, voices, tinkling spoons, laughter, the smell of crushed grass'
Those words immediately transported me to another time and place. How lovely.
I'm not sure what books I'll be reading for 2012 but I've been meaning to get a hold of major Pettigrew's Last Stand.
Your garden always makes for the most lovely pictures!
Blissful tidings my friend! xo
Sandra
I love your reading choices. I like Mansfield too and all your other mentions. You can see on my blog on the right column (down a bit) what I am reading and what's on order from the library. I have a nice pic of Katherine Mansfield in a past post too, you can find it in the search engine, also on right and down a bit.
Lovey autumn pic too.
Will look out for that title Jeanne. I wonder if you have come across 'Elizabeth and Her German Garden' by Elizabeth Von Arnim? I think that you would enjoy it if you have not already read it. Here I have seem to have accumulated a small mountain of books to keep me occupied during the winter months - not sure where to start :)
Thanks, Jeanne :) I'm glad you've been inspired to read short stories; there are so many good ones.
I haven't read Mansfield's stories, but your descriptions have prompted me to add her book to my reading list.
'Kisses, voices, tinkling spoons, laughter, the smell of crushed grass'
Reading this I can feel that crushed grass under my own feet.
I loved Rebecca, it was the first novel I ever read as a young teenager that captured my senses in an uncanny way.;)
I am not sure I will have time to read this year, I am so busy with other things, but I truly miss reading.;))
xoxo
The continuing Game of Thrones saga by George R. R. Martin. It's wonderful so far!
I do love DuMaurier, too, though...
Im trying to read Daphne du Maurier's books too, so far ive managed Rebecca and 'The birds and other short stories'. I recently came back from Cornwall (my last few blog posts are about our week there) and i wished i had started reading 'vanishing cornwall' by Daphne before i got there but it stayed on my bookshelf.
Aqeela xx
Yes the friendship with Lawrence was also difficult.She would have dfaired better I todays world I think! lol Angela
Very lovable , sweet, romantic, friendly and admirable. You really soften my heart and mood due o your magnificent output. I really appreciate it that much. The novels of Elizabeth Taylor was one of the best novels I have read through my life span.
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