I’m going to be writing about Katherine Mansfield later in the week, inspired by Danielle recently getting her selected works, and I just wanted to do a straw poll today… so if you’re popping by for the first or the hundredth time, just let me know:
a) whether or not you’ve heard of Katherine Mansfield?
if yes…
b) whether or not you’ve read anything by KM?
if yes…
c) what your favourite story by KM is?
Yes, have heard of her – the Bloomsbury set connection – but have to admit I haven't read anything of hers. This is mainly because I'm not that keen on short stories and always prefer to read a novel.
Yes – I had to read her collected works for university, and I fell in love with her. I have nearly everything she wrote and I am slowly working my way through it all.
My favourite of her stories is 'At the Bay'; it really resonated with me and I loved the characters, especially the little girls. I should reread her stories, actually, I haven't revisited in a while.
Yes, indeed. It's rather a cliche but my favourite story is Bliss.
I would warmly recommend Claire Tomalin's biography of Mansfield – it is absolutely wonderful.
I've read two stories – "Bliss" and "The Garden Party." It's been a while, so I don't remember which was my favorite. I look forward to being reacquainted with them.
Don't shoot me! I've only heard of her very recently (some months ago). The first time was at Nicola's blog, Vintage Reads. Then at the Persephone website. Her two Persephone titles are at the top of my Persephone wish list!
Looking forward to your post!
I've only ever read the garden party, and I can't say I particularly enjoyed it. Then again, it was assigned reading in the eighth grade so perhaps I should give her another chance.
My favourite is Bliss too.
I have heard of Mansfield, and I know I read at least one or two of her stories back in high school. (I have, alas, gotten out of the short story reading habit since graduating, so I never read more.)
I've heard of her, and I've read a story of hers, lo these many years ago – it's been ages so I don't remember the story.
As a New Zealander I know and adore Katherine Mansfield's work. My favourite story is The Daughters of the Late Colonel. Also close contenders are Miss Brill and The Dollshouse. She is a genius at depicting private suffering and the impact of small cruelties and tyranny.
Hi, Simon
As you know, I'm not a particular fan of short stories, but I think I read "The Garden Party" (is that right?) about ten yaers ago and I also read the biogrpahy by Clare Tomalin when that came out about five years ago.
I have always looked out for her in bookshops, but without much success it seems.
Yes, have heard of her, but strangely by seeing a biography in the library, not any of her actual writing! And no, haven't read anything of hers – but would love to know what you think as I find myself agreeing with so many of your book reviews!
I've heard of her, but not read anything by her.
Of course! I always thought she was a well known writer, but I'm given pause for thought after you pose the question. Yes indeed I have read some of her work, all 13 of the sort stories from In a German Pension. I think (and it would have been in the 1970's from imperfect memory) I was inspired to do so by a TV adaption of some of them.
I don't like short stories so have not read any of her books; but the biography of her by CK Stead I found fasinating.
Yes! The Journal, and some stories too long ago to remember.
I went to Queen's College, where Mansfield was also educated, so I was aware of her from the time I started there, and read her stories in my mid teens. I need to re-read them, it's been a while.
I read a lot of Katherine Mansfield at one point and really loved her short stories. The one that sticks in my mind, and it was a long time ago bc (before children), was "The Garden Party" although I can't remember why I liked it so much.
Yes, I've read about her. My introduction to her work will be tonight when I read The Daughters of the Late Colonel for the RIP IV challenge. I'm intrigued by so many positive comments about her writing that I may have to purchase one her short story collections.
I adore Katherine Mansfield. One of the best short story writers in literary history; her stories are so concise and perfected.
My favourite is "The Dollhouse" but I still have a few to read and could reread my favourites over and over.
I am also working my way through her Persephone Journal, savouring it.
I haven't read her yet though I managed to snag an old copy of the Garden Party last month. I'll have to try it soon. I'm not a fan of short stories either though but I'll have to give this a shot.
I have heard of her, and I want to say I read some of her short stories in college. But I can't recall anything specific. I'll look forward to hearing more about her!
Yes I have heard of KM, and am slowly working through her collected stories. My favourite so far is The Garden Party.
Yes … The Garden Party. I searched it out because I read that Virginia Woolf was inspired by it to write Mrs. Dalloway and I can clearly see the inspiration.
No, actually, I have never heard of Katherine Mansfield. I am interested in finding out about her though!
I've read just one Mansfield story, "At the Bay" for the short story blog A Curious Singularity. I'd like to read more at some point.
I have heard of her — I studied some of her stories at high school and university. I've always thought of her as reasonably well-known — not a household name, but familiar to a lot of people. I'm in Australia, so perhaps she is better known here than in the UK, being an Antipodean. My favourite was 'The Daughters of the Late Colnel', and all this talk about her is making me want to go back and reread her work!
Suzanne
I'm so glad you are going to write about her. I can't remember what the inspiration for me was to get her collection of stories (I have two other smaller ones as well). I did read the Persephone Journal, though I think I would like to reread it after I get more of her short stories under my belt–it might make more sense or I'll get more out of it anyway. I also have the Tomalin bio and a couple of her collected Letters. I'm all set, aren't I! I've only read Prelude, but that was more a matter of not knowing where to start, so I picked the first story in the book. Now I'll start with the stories that have been recommended!