Tuesday, April 07, 2009

M Is For Mansfield; M Is For Mailbox


My former co-worker (and favorite Kiwi bookworm!) Willie went to New Zealand for his vacation and brought back this novel about Katherine Mansfield for me. It arrived today, and looks wonderful.
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Mansfield by C.K. Stead covers 3 significant years in Katherine Mansfield's life: World War I was being fought, her brother was killed, she was in the beginning stages of the disease that would claim her life in 1923 when she was only 34, she was surrounded by most of the legendary literary figures of that time and she was on the precipice of discovering how she really wanted to write short stories. I'm a huge fan of her work, so I can't wait to dig into this novel.

8 comments:

Eva said...

Oh! I've read a bit about her life (she was the topic of the one of the essays in Rereadings), and it sounds fascinating. I hope the novel lives up to its subject! :)

J.S. Peyton said...

I've never read any Mansfield but I'd really like to one day. I'd love to hear what you think of this. Maybe it'll inspire me to read her sooner than later. I hope you like it!

jenclair said...

I really like some of her short stories, AND she was Elizabeth Von Arnim's cousin. Eager to here what you think.

Susan said...

I keep meaning to read more of her. This bio sounds really interesting. What a treat for you! Another new book to go with all your library books! lol

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Literary Feline said...

I am familiar with Katherine Mansfield, isn't that terrible? I look forward to hearing what you think of it once you've read it!

Maree said...

I haven't read much Mansfield (terrible for a Kiwi to admit, I'm sure) but I have read My Name Was Judas by C K Stead and that's very, very good, so now I want to look this one up as well _ thanks!

Bybee said...

Eva,
I couldn't wait..I had to start the novel. Racing through.

J.S. Peyton,
I really love her short stories...and this novel about her life is a good read.

Jenclair,
I didn't realize she was Elizabeth Von Arnim's cousin.

Susan,
Now that I'm reading this novel, I wish that I had my collection of short stories by Katherine Mansfield with me instead of in the garage back in the US.

Myza,
Thank you!

Lit Feline,
I've got a review starting to simmer now...

Maree,
I really liked My Name was Judas. C.K. Stead is such a good writer!