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amandaceder's review
3.0
"Yes, we understand, we understand, she thought
though what they understood she didn't know."
though what they understood she didn't know."
ashesmuses's review
5.0
My first Penguin little black book! Quick read, but now eager to savour more of Katherine Mansfield’s other work. The writing in Miss Brill was so delicate and poignant in depicting different forms of loneliness.
paloma_sanchezh's review
5.0
stories of loneliness and sorrow... of what we want to hold on but as it does not belong to us, it will escape us forever...
callum_mclaughlin's review
3.0
One of Penguin’s Little Black Classics, this slim volume brings together three short stories by Katherine Mansfield, who is often considered a master of the form. The selected stories compliment each other well in both theme and tone. Each captures a character’s sense of loneliness and longing, and a quiet moment of realisation which sees their illusion of contentment shattered. There’s a couple who realise they have drifted apart; a woman who spends her Sundays people watching in the park; and a man who craves his wife’s exclusive attention.
They’re definitely understated, but shrewdly observant. And though there’s nothing earth shattering about them, they are united by an effective air of melancholy, and some lovely prose. It made for a nice taster of Mansfield’s style, and I would certainly be open to trying more of her work.
They’re definitely understated, but shrewdly observant. And though there’s nothing earth shattering about them, they are united by an effective air of melancholy, and some lovely prose. It made for a nice taster of Mansfield’s style, and I would certainly be open to trying more of her work.
lauranp's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
habibaaibrahim's review
3.0
That was quick and sad. It appeared to be nice and sweet then it changed.
You get no time to connect with the characters but we do not need to. The glimpses we get are enough and we soon understand it all.
I liked this short story. It was not fun but different which is needed from time to time.
You get no time to connect with the characters but we do not need to. The glimpses we get are enough and we soon understand it all.
I liked this short story. It was not fun but different which is needed from time to time.
eleanorryd's review
2.0
Pretty sure I have to read it again. The picture I got from this is that of a woman who enjoys spending her Sundays going to the park and looking at people. I didn't see any judgement in that, but it was late at night and I was tired so maybe that's on me.
brona's review
3.0
Let's get back to poor Miss Brill.
Her story may be short, but it packs a punch. Miss Brill is an ageing, unmarried woman who lives quietly on her own, her only pleasure is walking around the Jardins Publiques to people watch. The story opens with a sense of excitement and anticipation. The long winter is over; the new Season is begun. Miss Brill brings out her fox stole from storage for the occasion. She freshens it up, brushing it's fur, and rubbing the life back into it.
She heads out feeling smart and self-contained.
But, as you learn to expect from Mansfield, there is an underlying sadness or melancholy that swells up when you (or Miss Brill) least expect it.
By the end of this short story, Miss Brill is confronted to see how others perceive her. She goes from feeling like all the world's a stage with everyone a player, including herself, to realising that she is a figure of ridicule, on the outside of a brand new world dominated by youth.
Loneliness, isolation and illusion. Themes that have taken on a new meaning in our own brand new coronavirus world.
Full review - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com/2020/04/miss-brill-katherine-mansfield-short.html
Her story may be short, but it packs a punch. Miss Brill is an ageing, unmarried woman who lives quietly on her own, her only pleasure is walking around the Jardins Publiques to people watch. The story opens with a sense of excitement and anticipation. The long winter is over; the new Season is begun. Miss Brill brings out her fox stole from storage for the occasion. She freshens it up, brushing it's fur, and rubbing the life back into it.
She heads out feeling smart and self-contained.
But, as you learn to expect from Mansfield, there is an underlying sadness or melancholy that swells up when you (or Miss Brill) least expect it.
By the end of this short story, Miss Brill is confronted to see how others perceive her. She goes from feeling like all the world's a stage with everyone a player, including herself, to realising that she is a figure of ridicule, on the outside of a brand new world dominated by youth.
Loneliness, isolation and illusion. Themes that have taken on a new meaning in our own brand new coronavirus world.
Full review - http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com/2020/04/miss-brill-katherine-mansfield-short.html