There are a small number of writers so proficient in their craft that it feels a bit arrogant to presume to review their work. Katherine Mansfield is one of them. However, I welcome an opportunity to revisit her stories, and so I thank NetGalley and Random House for the review copy. This collection is for sale now.
Mansfield’s writing is somewhat unconventional; her plots exist only for the purpose of showcasing her characters. It’s exactly the kind of writing that I love. Her depth of perception contributes a great deal to her stories, particularly when children are involved.
I was first introduced to Mansfield as a college freshman while taking a survey course required for graduation. Reading Mansfield was one of the highlights of that year. Now, as I continue to read her at the opposite end of my life, I am struck, not only by her brilliance, but also by how easily I interpret her work according to my own experiences. My favorite of the 34 short stories offered up here is Miss Brill; This story made me cry as a callow young woman. Miss Brill is a teacher, and she is both single and lonesome. In it, the protagonist spends some time in a local park, people watching and, yes, eavesdropping, not maliciously, but because she doesn’t have much of a personal life and so enjoys seeing and hearing the lives of others unfold. She takes a tremendous amount of time and consideration in deciding what to wear, even though she is unlikely to see anyone that she knows, but is then devastated when a pair of thoughtless young people spot her eavesdropping and say something malicious about her clothing.
As a young person myself, I instantly recognized myself in those rude youths, knew full well that I was capable of hurting someone else in that way. And that poor old lady, I thought. Such cruelty was visited upon a sweet, elderly woman with few resources and who relied upon small, simple pleasures. I was deeply ashamed!
In rereading it now, I realize that Miss Brill was not a senior citizen; in fact, she was most likely in her thirties, like her creator. I had previously invented a scenario that fit who I was as a reader. I don’t think I have done such a thing with any other author. And I still find the story moves me.
Those that enjoy short story collections should add this wonderful book to their shelves. The one caveat is that, like many Caucasian authors of that time period, Mansfield limits her subjects to her own race. Apart from this, I can find nothing to which anyone might object.
Highly recommended.
