Written as a series of little vignettes, it perfectly captures that certain kind of ephemeral adolescent love, so potent but so fleeting. First of all i like her pure handwriting style. My first attempt at reading books by Katherine Mansfield. Something Childish But Very Natural contains eight short love stories, all wonderfully written by Katherine Mansfield, from an era that was both old and modern: the early 1900's. It was republished in Something Childish and Other Stories (1924). I make such material available in an effort to spread an appreciation of poetry for educational and recreational uses. I quit reading this mini-collection of her stories halfway through the third story and I'm glad I did. It is as though any uncertainty that Henry has about his relationship with Edna is manifested in the dream. Emma Komlos-Hrobsky (Assistant Editor, Tin House Magazine): I’ve been reading Something Childish But Very Natural, a collection of Katherine Mansfield’s short writings lead by the story of the same name. The end of the story is also interesting. We’d love your help. Something Childish, but Very Natural By Samuel Taylor Coleridge About this Poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge is the premier poet-critic of modern English tradition, distinguished for the scope and influence of his thinking about literature as much as for his innovative verse. Need another excuse to treat yourself to a new book this week? Marvelous. With plenty of irony sprinkled about. Their magnetic connection grows. I guess the stories have hidden messages in them but yeah, it was ok. A 2.5. I enjoyed this so much, but now it's a couple of weeks later and I don't remember any of the stories other than the first one. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. This may be important as many young men of the time may not have been as patient as Henry and if anything his understanding of Edna’s position is admirable. The reader never finding out as to whether Edna has successfully made the leap from childhood to adolescence or whether she is prepared to show Henry the same commitment he is showing her. It may also be important that Mansfield begins the story on the first day of Spring as symbolically she could be suggesting that just as Spring is coming into bloom so too is love for Henry and Edna. Having fallen in love with Henry she may fear further commitment. However he also respects Edna’s decision not to commit herself physically to him. I'm not opposed to abstract writing per se, but Mansfield's lyricism just feels forced and exaggerated. Not bad over all, but certainly not my favourite book from this box set. Through fear Edna has decided against continuing with her relationship with Henry. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. And I feel those three words are all I recall of some forgotten, heavenly language... You remember that afternoon?”, Books That Deserve a Higher Rating (Avg Rating < 4). To create our... To see what your friends thought of this book, Something Childish But Very Natural (Great Loves, #13). Here’s where things get complicated, particularly for Edna, who fears what will happen should Henry touch her in any way at all. Really, I feel each one is a different meditation on humanity, requiring a little pause to savour each. And realising home can be a person. The endless vaguery of it, however, in no way appealed to me and only drove away any interest in the stories' content. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail. Couldn't be happier. Refresh and try again. My favorite: Bliss and Marriage a la Mode. Lovely little short stories on love. I’d say more but I don’t want to ruin it—and if you have read it, and you were also confused and satisfied both by that thing with the thing at the end, let’s talk. Though the reader is not afforded the privilege of knowing what is written in the telegram. It also highlights to the reader the fact that Henry loves Edna regardless of whether they have physical contact or not. You were so surprised because I did not know the names of any flowers. In Something Childish but very Natural by Katherine Mansfield we have the theme of connection, love, fear, uncertainty, frustration, commitment, change, conflict and innocence. Enamorarse es algo súper bonito, hacerle el quite no tiene sentido. Despite the fact that both Henry and Edna appear to be somewhat shy both do make a connection with one another while they are travelling on the train. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. It might also be important that Henry does not push Edna away nor does he abandon her. But in my sleep to you I fly: I'm always with you in my sleep! We've got you covered with the buzziest new releases of the day. Very good overall. The reader aware that Henry finds it difficult when trying not to be physical with Edna. I’m glad that you found the post helpful. They are so intense, and the thoughts of the characters really come alive. [ the blossoming pear tree a phallic or bisexual symbol. This connection may be important as it grows from two people liking each other to both Henry and Edna falling in love. Exquisite prose. Taken from her Something Childish and Other Stories collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story … Something Childish But Very Natural is a short story written by Katherine Mansfield in 1914. The title story contains a pair of seventeen-year-olds who meet and fall for each other on a train journey, but their relationship is scuppered by their youth, inexperience and naivety. "Something Childish but very Natural by Katherine Mansfield.". 'Bliss', which was my favourite of the stories in the book, also concerns a marriage; at a dinner party, the protagonist is overwhelmed first by what seems to be desire for a female guest, then by lust for her own husband, before the ending throws in a startling, sad twist. I loved the ambiance of these stories. In 'Feuille d'Album', a painter who rejects the advances of numerous women becomes obsessed with a neighbour he watches from afar. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. I liked that the stories did not really end happily, but I feel like it has a historical context out of which it cannot be read. And knowing where you belong. As mentioned Edna is only sixteen and would be unaccustomed to the ways of the world. Both young characters grapple with this. At all stages of the story Henry has understood and accepted the stance that Edna has taken. Also Edna may wish to keep her relationship with Henry as pure as possible. This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. If you've read Joyce and are familiar with his ephiphanies, you might see a similarity in Mansfield's abrupt poignancies and her inbetween-the-lines open endedness. Something Childish but very Natural by Katherine Mansfield. The poem is by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Very enjoyable and I think somewhat Hardyesque! Mansfield definitely has a distinctive style and I can see how it could please other people. Do yourself a favour and try a few stories. I just can't understand the lifestyle of the upper class. However the fact that Henry is dreaming leaves the reader wondering as to what exactly is the reality that will face Henry. 'Marriage à la Mode' is a funny and poignant tale in which a husband desperately tries to recapture the attention of his wife, who is more interested in having fun with a group of their friends. The Monk and His Cat - adapted by W. H. Auden from... Sleep - Charles Anthony Silvestri/Eric Whitacre, http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. Katherine Mansfield has a knack for capturing the little moments that define a certain point in a person's life. “Something Childish…” is a weird little impressionistic gem of a story, much more complex than its giddy true-love-at-first-sight opening would have you think. Be the first to ask a question about Something Childish But Very Natural. It was ok. First of all i like her pure handwriting style. As to why Edna is so afraid to commit herself physically to Henry is difficult to say. Your email address will not be published. This was hard to rate because I had such diverse feelings and thoughts about the short stories in this collection. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. 'Mr and Mrs Dove' is about a man whose feelings for the object of his affection are not returned as ardently as he might hope. My favourite writer Woolf once said that Katherine was the only writer that she had been jealous of. Mansfield definitely has a distinctive style and I can see how it could please other people. Countless unsaid words. Bittersweet sometimes sad. A collection of short stories: Something Childish But Very Natural, Feuille d'Album, Mr And Mrs Dove, Marriage á la Mode, Bliss, Honeymoon, A Dill Pickle, Widow. Something Childish, but Very Natural - Samuel Taylor Coleridge Written in Germany If I had but two little wings And were a little feathery bird, To you I'd fly, my dear! 'Honeymoon' illustrates the differing attitudes and dreams of a young couple on honeymoon - it reminded me of a few of the relationship-focused stories in Daphne du Maurier's, Emma Komlos-Hrobsky (Assistant Editor, Tin House Magazine): I’ve been reading Something Childish But Very Natural, a collection of Katherine Mansfield’s short writings lead by the story of the same name. I don't remember being this put off by her story 'the Garden Party', which I read for a Modernism class 3 years ago, but then again, I remember so little of what I've read. The frightening thought of having someone for the rest of your life. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. If anything Henry has been truly committed to Edna throughout the story. August 2nd 2007 She is happy to fantasize about living with Henry (in the village) yet she is unsure as to whether she would make that sort of commitment in real life. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. “What can you do if you are thirty and, turning the corner of your own street, you are overcome, suddenly, by a feeling of bliss - absolute bliss - as though you'd suddenly swallowed a bright piece of that late afternoon sun and it burned in your bosom, sending out a little shower of sparks into every particle into every finger and toe?...”, “You have only to say one word and I would know your voice among all other voices. A collection of short stories - perfect to read on commutes. To be fair, the story of the ex-lovers meeting randomly in a café 6 years after their affair struck home somewhat, and wasn't as clichéd as it looked like it was going to be. Something Childish But Very Natural has ratings and 38 reviews. Liquid, melodic, subtle and utterly unique, her writing employs all the senses. And realising home can be a person. Katherine Mansfield's ''Something Childish but Very Natural'' is a short story about the young love between Henry and Edna. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. With the biggest stumbling block that Edna faces being whether to commit herself physically to Henry. this cleared up any confusions I had about the ending, thank you I am amazed how many of her stories you analyzed here! Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. And knowing that if you long and wait for people, they just leave you. On the love continuum, this slim collection of Mansfield's stories falls in the bittersweet to sad range. However just as the season has changed the same cannot be said for Edna’s outlook on love and what love involves. The title story contains a pair of seventeen-year-olds who meet and fall for each other on a train journey, but their relationship is scuppered by their youth, inexperience and naivety. Henry on the other hand has no problem with engaging in a physical relationship with Edna. Most likely it is from Edna and she is writing to tell Henry that she cannot commit herself to him. More definitely modernist and more impressionist than her early attempts in "In a German Pension", these 23 stories and sketches show Mansfield's coming into her element.