One of the first short stories I remember reading was Prelude by Katherine Mansfield. I read it first in the Collected Works of Katherine Mansfield, the first book I bought at Shakespeare and Co. in Paris in 1995! I remember the excitement of reading Katherine Mansfield for the first time, and the feeling of absolute immersion in the world of the Burnell children, as Kezia and Lotty are left behind with neighbours as the family move house.
I was immediately seduced by the voices, the silent observations of characters, the way they moved through houses and gardens and lingered in rooms:
“As she stood there, the day flickered out and dark came. With the dark crept the wind snuffling and howling. The windows of the empty house shook, a creaking came from the walls and floors, a piece of loose iron on the roof banged forlornly. Kezia was suddenly quite, quite still, with wide open eyes and knees pressed together. She was frightened.”
…and the careful descriptions of the objects inside:
“A little piano stood against the wall with yellow pleated silk let into the carved front. Above it hung an oil painting by Beryl of a large cluster of surprised-looking clematis. Each flower was the size of a small saucer, with a centre like an astonished eye fringed in black.”
Soon we are with the rest of the household in their new home, following their movements and interactions, and observing the many small private moments in the day that make up a whole life.
First published by the Hogarth Press in July 1918; collected in Bliss and Other Stories, 1920. Available to read online here
A Personal Anthology 