I've picked away at this collection over the years, which includes a number of prose poems. Having just completed "The Fisherman and his Soul" (Wilde'I've picked away at this collection over the years, which includes a number of prose poems. Having just completed "The Fisherman and his Soul" (Wilde's longest work of short fiction) I now feel that I have read this whole collection.
There is quite the range here, everything from tales often considered to be for children, such as "The Happy Prince" and "The Selfish Giant", as well as a deep dive into the mysteries of Shakespeare's muse, "The Portrait of Mr. W.H."
There is a strong fairy tale quality to most of these short pieces, tales of princes and giants, of nightingales and young kings. There are even a couple of ghost stories....more
Elmer Crowley is the son of an awkward shopkeeper in Winesburg, Ohio, has lived in town for a year, and has no friends. He feeconcerning Elmer Crowley
Elmer Crowley is the son of an awkward shopkeeper in Winesburg, Ohio, has lived in town for a year, and has no friends. He feels like an outsider, feels people are laughing at him; he is embarrassed by his father's old coat.
The young journalist George Willard is a fixture in these stories, and the print shop is near Crowley & Son's store; Elmer finds himself drawn to George, wants to tell him something — but what? and why?
Sherwood Anderson puts the word "Queer" in quotation marks in the title — why does he emphasis the "otherness" of this word, this title, in this manner? The word queer is used many times in the text (without quotation marks), mostly by Elmer himself, describing his opinion of his father, his mother, this and that. He himself does not want to be queer; the word at the time mostly meant "odd" or "counterfeit" but also held a small portion of the meaning which now overflows.
The reader has to wonder about Sherwood Anderson, and his own life story, and the extent to which one is supposed to read between the lines, to fill in the gaps, to wonder at the impulse of Elmer to connect with George, the violence of his approach, and his inability to find words — and the author's inability at the time to speak freely....more
Rereading this, I decided the awakening here occurred primarily in George Willard, the young journalist who knits these linkconcerning Belle Carpenter
Rereading this, I decided the awakening here occurred primarily in George Willard, the young journalist who knits these linked stories together in the long-ago town of Winesburg, Ohio.
George has a transcendent moment, after drinking with buddies, as he wanders through the town and experiments with words and ideas. He has a revelation, too, about Belle Carpenter, who is in love with another man but toys with George, because "she felt she could keep the younger man {George} within bounds."
George Willard is slowly taking over this collection of linked stories, he is the author's vehicle, as Sherwood Anderson moves the characters towards his own lived destiny....more
A fairy tale for adults, "The Fisherman and his Soul" is described in the text I read as "Wilde's most ambitious tale", and his many sources of inspirA fairy tale for adults, "The Fisherman and his Soul" is described in the text I read as "Wilde's most ambitious tale", and his many sources of inspiration are listed, particularly poems by Matthew Arnold (it mentions The Forsaken Merman).
The language is lush and olde-timey, the imagery a tapestry of notions and phantasms. The layers of metaphor here are also rich and the story can be read on different levels.
The young man, who "tossed his brown curls", wants to follow his forbidden love — but to do so he must cut off his soul.
The soul, without a heart, enjoys cruelty.
A scholar of Christianity could spend many years exploring the symbolism in these 33 pages; a literary critic could chase down the many sources echoed in this text, and comment on Wilde's "complex working out of the conflict of spirit and flesh, beauty and goodness, earth and heaven"; a reader of romance might ponder the pleasures and rewards, the perils and risks, of a great love....more
Perhaps I've already read too many books lately about "Ghost stories" and the "Supernatural" and was too stuffed full to absorb another morsel.
Many boPerhaps I've already read too many books lately about "Ghost stories" and the "Supernatural" and was too stuffed full to absorb another morsel.
Many books of this type are titled "ghost stories" but the actual stories are about a range of experiences — premonitions, shared death experiences, and so on, as well as stories about experiences which might involve a "ghost".
Rounded down to 2 stars (it was okay) because this book ended on a particularly weak note, with an unfocussed story about . . . I'm not sure. It was a blend of fiction and storytelling which felt like a first draft of something, maybe.
There are a number of photos reproduced which helped to flesh out stories. My favourite tales here in this book of ghost stories were the ones that were not ghost stories. Also, since this is the second volume, I kept having the nagging feeling that all the best stories were in the first volume. Don't know if that is true or not, but I kept wondering if this book was comprised of the reject pile.
This is a peculiar story from Sherwood Anderson; instead of being mostly set in Winesburg, Ohio, much of this tale takes placconcerning Enoch Robinson
This is a peculiar story from Sherwood Anderson; instead of being mostly set in Winesburg, Ohio, much of this tale takes place in New York. However, Enoch returns to his hometown of Winesburg and, like so many other characters, has a revelatory encounter with the young journalist George Willard.
This story contributes to the small town collage, but I found it a little awkward. What was Anderson really wanting to talk about here?...more
"If you are to become a writer," the teacher explained to the young journalist George Willard, "you'll have to stop fooling with concerning Kate Swift
"If you are to become a writer," the teacher explained to the young journalist George Willard, "you'll have to stop fooling with words."
Kate Swift, the teacher, goes on to say, "The thing to learn is to know what people are thinking about, not what they say."
Later, she says to George, "I must be going. In a moment, if I stay, I'll be wanting to kiss you."
This piece is a companion to the previous story, The Strength of God, and the two stories are woven together tightly. Rev. Hartman, too, has a climatic moment with the journalist George Willard; in face we are told it happened immediately after Kate Swift's late-night embrace with George. So much small town drama in Winesburg, Ohio!
I often imagine the character George as a stand-in for Sherwood Anderson himself. George is a writer, he is asking questions, and is a vehicle for confession and revelation. And the book ends with a section about George himself, titled "Departure." Honestly, I'm slow walking my way towards the inevitable.
Five stars, for the cumulative weight of "The Strength of God" and "The Teacher" since the two stories work as one, in a way, depicting a love triangle of sorts — albeit one based on frustration, loneliness, and confusion....more
Reverend Hartman is forty years old, and determined — earnestly determined — to inspire his congregation, to "arconcerning The Reverend Curtis Hartman
Reverend Hartman is forty years old, and determined — earnestly determined — to inspire his congregation, to "arouse keen enthusiasm." Rev. Hartman "wondered if the flame of the spirit really burned in him and dreamed of a day when a strong sweet new current of power would come like a great wind into his voice and his soul and the people would tremble before the spirit of God made manifest in him."
Rev. Hartman has been the Presbyterian pastor in Winesburg, Ohio for ten years.
Earnestness is not always the best defence against temptations, and the "strong sweet new current of power" may come in an unexpected form.
Oh dear. The strength of God is not to be underestimated....more
Chipman is a self-centred privileged type, of the sort who used to often be seen in fiction. Moore's short story, "The Sight", is a tale of a man, ChiChipman is a self-centred privileged type, of the sort who used to often be seen in fiction. Moore's short story, "The Sight", is a tale of a man, Chipman, coming to grips with his own mortality, discovering that he does not control his destiny as much as he felt he should, and that not all of life's challenges and inconveniences can be managed by reaching for the cheque-book.
I've read some of Moore's novels but have none catalogued here since that was so many moons ago.
This short story I found to be mostly in the realm of the "realistic" rather than fantasy — in that the events of the story are not entirely outside common experiences. They are exaggerated perhaps, sharpened for dramatic purposes, but not implausible.
The unknown, you see, is not really that unknown. It is just not talked about. ...more
One of the more baffling short pieces in "Winesburg, Ohio" in which a stranger, who is "almost always drunk", in the throes of anconcerning Tandy Hard
One of the more baffling short pieces in "Winesburg, Ohio" in which a stranger, who is "almost always drunk", in the throes of an addiction epiphany, changes the course of a young girl's life.
I've read it twice now; still not sure what to make of it. The forces here in play are a neglectful father, who rails against God and preaches being agnostic; the drunkard whose visions are contagious; and a seven year old girl, who "until she was seven years old lived in an old unpainted house on an unused road".
Where did she live after that? That's what I'm still thinking about....more
An atypical offering from Saki; the setting is not a weekend at a manor house, but rather life on an inherited farm. The farm is overseen, ruled from An atypical offering from Saki; the setting is not a weekend at a manor house, but rather life on an inherited farm. The farm is overseen, ruled from the kitchen at the centre of the web of influence, by the ancient Martha Mountjoy.
Renovations must await.
Martha feels vibrations at the edges of her cobweb, and a tragedy unfolds. Evoking the eternal, Martha Mountjoy endures, just as she always has.
sidenote >>>>In terms of the cobweb that is Goodreads, one must now be signed in to receive notifications. This does not, at least on my part, encourage engagement. I find the lack of notifications alienating, and am now even slower responding to comments. I'm sure you all understand, and perhaps are feeling equally frustrated. <<<<<...more
The young adventurer at the heart of this story, Vasco Honiton, preferred "to exploit the assured rather than explore the unknown."
His rich aunt shouThe young adventurer at the heart of this story, Vasco Honiton, preferred "to exploit the assured rather than explore the unknown."
His rich aunt should have known better, but so much drollery in Saki's work depends on wealthy relatives being a bit careless or unobservant.
I'd read this one before in The Collected Short Stories of Saki, but have grown to realize that the best way to appreciate Saki is in small doses, one delicious sip at a time. Another reader here reviewed "The Treasure-Ship" and I had to look it up, and re-read it; I call it re-reading even if I have no recollection of ever reading it before....more
One of the quieter stories in "Winesburg, Ohio" which contributes to the fabric of the town more than imagining itself as beinconcerning Seth Richmond
One of the quieter stories in "Winesburg, Ohio" which contributes to the fabric of the town more than imagining itself as being a standalone story.
And that, in a nutshell, is what Seth Richmond is thinking about. Is he part of the town, or is he his own person, with his own story.
As I say, it is a quiet story but one which has grown on me as I identify with Seth's dilemma, not feeling he belongs and not sure what else to do....more
This tale has a very familiar setting. A man drops into a tavern or "the bar at a railway station" and then hears a story or has an encounter and thatThis tale has a very familiar setting. A man drops into a tavern or "the bar at a railway station" and then hears a story or has an encounter and that is the extent of the tale.
Here the encounter is with a tawny cat, and the conversation is all from the man, projected onto the agreeable feline, which he addressed as "Amathea".
We learn a little about the narrator through his projections, and we remember quite a bit about cats. The narrator for instance (or Belloc) is fond of displaying his education in the classics — many of the references flew high over my head.
Hilaire Belloc is a writer I had not encountered before, and like so many others, one discovers he was relatively prolific and used to be popular.
Note: these comments refer to the story "A Conversation with a Cat" and not the rest of Belloc's collection. I encountered this story in the anthology Of cats and men....more
"Autumn Mountain" : A work of art which may or may not exist, be much praised and talked about but rarely glimpsed.
Layers of storytelling, oral histor"Autumn Mountain" : A work of art which may or may not exist, be much praised and talked about but rarely glimpsed.
Layers of storytelling, oral histories repeated and passed around; the reputation of a painting (a scroll, a masterpiece) is the foundation of its true value.
Is a particular piece a copy or the real masterpiece? No one is completely convinced, yet the memory of artistic brilliance persists.
[Note: this review concerns the short story "Autumn Mountain" and not any of the other material in this collection.]...more
This appears to be fiction, but since it is a story about a graphic novelist who lives in Montreal written by a graphic novelist who lives in MontrealThis appears to be fiction, but since it is a story about a graphic novelist who lives in Montreal written by a graphic novelist who lives in Montreal, it does have some autobiographical flavours.
This is a realistic work, based on real life experiences, not something fanciful, fantastic or supernatural. This realism is what really spoke to me. It is a story about middle age, aging parents, empty nesting, isolation, and loneliness, but is not a depressing tale. These elements of life are always a mixed blessing; nothing is completely straightforward. A pesky neighbour is both annoying and a gift. A child leaving home is both upsetting and necessary.
Five stars for this "auto-fiction" portrait of a life at home, and all that "home" can mean and evolve into over time....more
Not sure what to make of this short story, about a cat named Sam who reveals hidden depths to his human companion and she becomes most upset.
The storyNot sure what to make of this short story, about a cat named Sam who reveals hidden depths to his human companion and she becomes most upset.
The storytelling was a bit vague for my taste. Written in 1925 it evokes, in some ways, the mannered prose of Henry James, skirting around ideas without stating them.
This short story is not long, but took days to get through. I read it in this anthology: Of cats and men....more
Curiosity is a dangerous thing, isn't it? It's a mixed blessed for sure.
I was curious to see if this novel was as horrible as some of the reviews declCuriosity is a dangerous thing, isn't it? It's a mixed blessed for sure.
I was curious to see if this novel was as horrible as some of the reviews declare. The short answer is yes it is quite horrible, but maybe not quite completely horrible.
What a ringing endorsement!
I wondered reading this if White was trolling his readers, laughing to himself, spewing out disturbing garbage to see what his readers might endure or overlook.
A reviewer here mentioned the "protagonist" and I had to ask myself, who is the protagonist here? (I still don't know). Who is the humble lover? — there are a few possible candidates.
The youthful ballet dancer, August Dupond, has to be one of the most mixed-up confused characters I have ever encountered. On page 2 he asks "What language are you guys speaking?" The language is French — this is remarkable since August is French Canadian, had lived in Montreal, and his literal mother tongue is French. This is only one example of that character being inconsistent, unbelievable, and, well, baffling.
I found myself thinking about Mishima's Forbidden Colors, because there is some overlap in themes, and I wondered if perhaps White had written an updated patiche transplanted from Tokyo into New York. Forbidden Colors also deals with a wealthy older man and a wealthy older woman competing for a beautiful young man, and using his beauty and desirability as a weapon to hurt others.
I did finish The Humble Lover, although the last 100 pages are nasty, brutish, and long. It did have its moments, especially in the first half, but by the end I wished I hadn't bothered to read it. Curiosity didn't kill this cat, but did leave me with the feeling of needing a good thorough cleansing....more
The past is a trap in a way, a series of never-ending rooms full of mysterious objects, a dream that devolves into a nightmare.
Nabokov is writing hereThe past is a trap in a way, a series of never-ending rooms full of mysterious objects, a dream that devolves into a nightmare.
Nabokov is writing here about his lost life of privilege in Russia, which haunts him, and the bad dreams he continued to experience — and could not awaken from.
I admired the tone in the early section of this short story, which is mostly grounded in reality, but ever so gradually becomes surreal, and the reader and the narrator both start to realize it must be a dream. However the dream is not one that the narrator is able to escape....more
This is high-concept science fiction; but be warned — the book description contains many plot spoilers, and with a text that is only 98 pages long I fThis is high-concept science fiction; but be warned — the book description contains many plot spoilers, and with a text that is only 98 pages long I feel it gives too much away.
On the other hand, there is so much going on here that a little bit of "reader orientation" might be appreciated.
When did I first become obsessed with mammoths, and their possible "de-extinction"? It might have been when I was in a gold mining town in northern Canada, and there were mammoth tusks everywhere. They come out of the ground you see, out of the permafrost, through the erosion of riverbeds and mining activities. And because of restriction on the international trade in ivory, even these ancient tusks could not easily be sold — so they were used for decoration.
However, turning up mammoth bones in the back yard makes the woolly mammoth feel almost reachable (fun fact, the last colony of mammoths lived on Wrangel Island, now part of Russia, north-west of Alaska).
But I digress. Back to the novella. Parts of it I really enjoyed but often wanted more. There were several intersecting storylines here, with backstories and digressions, which was a lot to pack into 98 pages. This compact tale does however provoke much musing on nature and conservation, on hunting and the financing of science, of the value of international trade. Everything is nuanced. For example, at one point the characters in Siberia were pestered by biting flies, not mosquitos, because mosquitos had been eliminated! I tripped over that notion, because as annoying as they are, mosquitos are an important part of the food chain — birds and bats, frogs and fish, spiders and dragonflies; all of these feed on mosquitos.
But that is just one tiny detail, in a short book crammed with big ideas....more
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