Can I just mention again how much I am enjoying The Persephone Book of Short Stories? I've yet to read one I haven't liked, and while this is a large book chock full of stories my interest hasn't waned in the least which happens occasionally with short story collections. If anything I tend to want to keep reading rather than wait until the next weekend to proceed to the next story so am contemplating reading two a week and writing about both of them on Sunday. And hopefully I'm not boring everyone too much by writing about each and every one. Honestly, they're a treat--like choosing a truffle out of a box of chocolates, so often exquisite and nearly always satisfying.
This week's story, "A Lovely Time", is by Dorothy Whipple who Persephone Books has championed. I am sure I would never have found her had it not been for them, and she is certainly someone worth discovering. Dorothy Whipple published something like eighteen books, of which Persephone has reissued eight. So far(and note the phrasing since I have every intention to keep reading through her work) I've read three novels and have a further two on my bookshelves. Now that I've had a taste I'll be adding her short story collections to my wishlist as well. Hard to say which novel is my favorite as Someone at a Distance and Greenbanks were for me equally good. I enjoyed They Knew Mr. Knight much more than I expected and now am thinking maybe I should pick up one of my unread books by her (since I want to read more Persephones this year...) now rather than at some distant point in the future. I'm always happy for any excuse to pick up a new book from my TBR piles.
Hopefully Litlove won't mind me quoting from one of her posts, but she called Dorothy Whipple the "high priestess of domestic fiction", and I know that's meant in a complimentary light, because let's face it, Dorothy Whipple tells a cracking good story even though that dreaded label, "women's fiction", has no doubt been applied to her work. When a man writes about family drama, it's literature, when a woman does, well, we all know what happens. There is always some little nugget of truth in Dorothy Whipple's stories and that moment or moments of epiphany. I suppose they are often melancholic, but there is nothing contrived or artificial about her characters.
In "A Lovely Time" it takes only one night on the town to dash a young woman's hopes and dreams. That sounds so final, almost brutal really, but Whipple is much more subtle than that. It's the slow realization that life is not going quite as expected and that people don't always behave in the most honorable of manner. Alice Barnes has come from the country to live in London. At least one of her dreams fulfilled, she's just about to have another one come true. Alice, or Alys as she's refashioned herself, has been invited out to dinner and a nightclub. Rather Dinner and a Night Club, as this is just the entrée into the sophisticated London world she's been waiting for, why she's even come to London.
"She smiled to think what commotion she would make in a tram at home in a pink satin cloak and no hat at seven-thirty in the evening."
In London, however, no one bats an eye. It's a fellow roommate in her boarding house that has invited Alice out to make up a foursome. Sheila is smitten with a young man, whose friend needs a partner for the evening. To Alice everything and everyone is elegant. She's filled with awe and has stars in her eyes, so clouded are they it would seem that she doesn't see what's really before her or understand what an object of ridicule she is. The appraising looks and consternation at her less than refined appearance, her lack of witty and sparkling conversation. Did she not even realize she was second choice and that another friend would have been invited had she not been under the weather? It's a night so filled with hope and aspirations which turns bittersweet for Alice.
As Litlove says, "give me Whipple’s astute and compassionate evocation of the immense drama that is everyday life any time." The story is pure Dorothy Whipple at her sensitive best.
Next up is a story by Edith Wharton, a reread for me, but one I am happy to revisit. If I continue on Edith will be paired with Irène Némirovsky.
Aww thank you! I feel honored to be quoted. As you know I am a huge Whipple fan. You'd already sold me on this collection before you even got to the Whipple story! I will absolutely have to read this anthology; it sounds wonderful.
Posted by: litlove | February 17, 2013 at 03:00 PM
She's great isn't she? I've enjoyed each story I've read so far. I thought I'd take the anthology slowly, but I seem to want to keep reading the stories sooner rather than waiting for the next weekend. I wonder if Persephone will ever do another anthology like this--though I'd hate to wait another 100 books to see it.
Posted by: Danielle | February 17, 2013 at 10:35 PM
It is wonderful when every short story in a book turns out to be a gem in it's own. I think I only experienced that once with a book of short stories by Alice Munro.
There's a note with some spring nature reading suggestions on its way to you now.
Posted by: catharina | February 18, 2013 at 08:09 AM
Okay, okay, next time I am flush with books cash I will get myself a Dorothy Whipple book. You and Litlove can stop turning the thumbscrews no ;)
Posted by: Stefanie | February 18, 2013 at 10:17 AM
I'm not surprised that it was a book of short stories by Alice Munro that turned out to be such a good read--I loved book of stories I read by her last year and have her newest Dear Life on my reading pile. I need to get back to her work. When it comes to anthologies especially it's sort of to be expected that the stories will be hit or miss, but I've really liked all the stories I've read so far. Thanks for the note--I'm looking forward to it already! Thanks for the lovely card that just arrived here, too, and a reply will be forthcoming (very soon!) :).
Posted by: Danielle | February 18, 2013 at 10:40 PM
The pressure is too much, eh? :) In this case I'd say that's a good thing! I really like her work and if I didn't already have too many really good books (including a couple really chunky ones) started, I'd go and pick up one of her unread books I have on hand. Actually...my library has a book of her short stories...maybe I should bring it home with me this week... Hmm.
Posted by: Danielle | February 18, 2013 at 10:43 PM
I have Someone at a Distance sitting here and should really get to it. But I'm still equally tempted by this anthology. It seems a great introduction to the Persephone authors.
Posted by: Caroline | February 19, 2013 at 01:12 AM
Someone at a Distance is excellent--you'll have to read it soon! And this anthology is well worth the money (Persephones are pretty expensive for me to order here in the US--they aren't cheap to begin with and then tack on that postage!). I don't at all regret the cost, and yes, it is a great way to discover new to me authors. I have already been trying to get some books by some of the authors I've read so far. And it's nice that Persephone publishes a number of them. I think I will start reading two stories a week now, but then I don't want to rush through the book either.
Posted by: Danielle | February 19, 2013 at 10:52 PM
I haven't read any short fiction of hers, but I've read at least one novel and would be curious to see her shorter works. (Also curious to see which Wharton you're heading towards next!)
Posted by: Buried In Print | February 20, 2013 at 12:26 PM
I've read a few of her books now, though this is the first short story, which I really liked. I even brought home a book of her stories from the library where I work though I haven't a clue when I think I will actually be able to squeeze it in with my other books. The Edith Wharton story is Roman Fever. Have you read it? It's a great story and I am looking forward to reading it again.
Posted by: Danielle | February 20, 2013 at 08:43 PM