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musingsbynitika's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 stars overall, individual story ratings below
What a beautiful collection of classic short stories, first published in 1920 (104 years ago) that depict little slices of life! I adored Katherine Mansfield's vibrant characters and captivating descriptions. This was such a thought-provoking and memorable audiobook, with exquisitely immersive narration by Juliet Stevenson.
I love reading Audrey audiobooks because they infuse so much fun with insightful nuggets of information, a Spotify playlist, and beautiful illustrations. The Audrey recaps, character descriptions and connections are so handy while reading. It's like having a clever and aesthetic book club on your phone, thanks to these brilliant people!
Guide: Sophie Corser
Illustrator: Rosie Leech
🍐 Bliss ☆☆☆☆
🦚 Mr. Reginald Peacock's Day ☆☆☆
📽 Pictures ☆☆☆☆☆
🍓 The Little Governess ☆☆☆☆☆ (my fave)
🥚 Feuille d'Album ☆☆☆
🪻 A Dill Pickle ☆☆☆☆☆
💝 Thank you to Lucy & the Audrey team for a gifted copy of this wonderful audiobook! Check out their great collection of afforadable audiobooks by downloading the Audrey app from your Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or sign up to their monthly listen alongs on the StoryGraph for a community experience.
What a beautiful collection of classic short stories, first published in 1920 (104 years ago) that depict little slices of life! I adored Katherine Mansfield's vibrant characters and captivating descriptions. This was such a thought-provoking and memorable audiobook, with exquisitely immersive narration by Juliet Stevenson.
I love reading Audrey audiobooks because they infuse so much fun with insightful nuggets of information, a Spotify playlist, and beautiful illustrations. The Audrey recaps, character descriptions and connections are so handy while reading. It's like having a clever and aesthetic book club on your phone, thanks to these brilliant people!
Guide: Sophie Corser
Illustrator: Rosie Leech
🍐 Bliss ☆☆☆☆
🦚 Mr. Reginald Peacock's Day ☆☆☆
📽 Pictures ☆☆☆☆☆
🍓 The Little Governess ☆☆☆☆☆ (my fave)
🥚 Feuille d'Album ☆☆☆
🪻 A Dill Pickle ☆☆☆☆☆
💝 Thank you to Lucy & the Audrey team for a gifted copy of this wonderful audiobook! Check out their great collection of afforadable audiobooks by downloading the Audrey app from your Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or sign up to their monthly listen alongs on the StoryGraph for a community experience.
llamallama527's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
The narrator is phenomenal! I liked this short story collection, but it can be a bit challenging. I'm glad I did the Audrey listen along for it, which split it up over time and provided space between stories. The guide notes were also wonderful in helping me to better understand and process the stories. I loved Mansfield's "slice of life" approach to these short stories and her realistic depiction of folks and their relationships with one another.
sanne_vds's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
growe16's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was exactly what I was looking for at this point in my reading. I know short stories are not the most popular genre to read, but this is SUCH a great collection to try out! I took a course specifically on Modernism during my MA, so I was pleasantly surprised to realize I was reading a Modernist author with whom I wasn't familiar! On top of that, she's from New Zealand, and it was fun to get a little more connection with Kiwi literature after my trip there.
A major part of what made this experience so fun was that I read it through the @listenwithaudrey app! This is an app that weaves guided commentary and outside sources into a wonderfully narrated audiobook (with original artwork). I was critical before using it, but I am now in awe at how well this app combines all these resources! And I am SO impressed they include modernist works---again, Modernism is the main genre I DON'T recommend if you're new to classics, but this app really makes Modernism accessible to anyone!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if you want to listen to classics and fully understand them without having to do tons of research, this is the app for you! As someone with a MA in English literature, I loved it, and I think it would also work well for anyone who is new to classics. (And I also can't get over how they charge literally $3.50 while Audible charges $15 for JUST the book.)
Audrey also hosted a readalong on Storyworth where I got to read and contribute to a conversation about these stories with others. I really enjoyed it!
These stories were short and easy to digest (especially when paced out with the readalong), and they indicated some really poignant elements of life, especially women's place in the world and their dependence upon men. They're all lovely, entertaining stories that left me pondering deeper ideas in my freetime. I cannot recommend this particular audiobook enough, but also, I am SO excited to use this app more!
A major part of what made this experience so fun was that I read it through the @listenwithaudrey app! This is an app that weaves guided commentary and outside sources into a wonderfully narrated audiobook (with original artwork). I was critical before using it, but I am now in awe at how well this app combines all these resources! And I am SO impressed they include modernist works---again, Modernism is the main genre I DON'T recommend if you're new to classics, but this app really makes Modernism accessible to anyone!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, if you want to listen to classics and fully understand them without having to do tons of research, this is the app for you! As someone with a MA in English literature, I loved it, and I think it would also work well for anyone who is new to classics. (And I also can't get over how they charge literally $3.50 while Audible charges $15 for JUST the book.)
Audrey also hosted a readalong on Storyworth where I got to read and contribute to a conversation about these stories with others. I really enjoyed it!
These stories were short and easy to digest (especially when paced out with the readalong), and they indicated some really poignant elements of life, especially women's place in the world and their dependence upon men. They're all lovely, entertaining stories that left me pondering deeper ideas in my freetime. I cannot recommend this particular audiobook enough, but also, I am SO excited to use this app more!
pixiegold's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
celestesbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m so happy my first introduction to Katherine Mansfield was an Audrey audiobook. The notes provided after each chapter, the recaps and character overviews helps me as a reader gain the most understanding. Especially in the context of the time that these stories were written, the images of the fashion being described really brought the characters and setting to life.
Thank you to the Audrey team for providing a complimentary review copy!
Find me on instagram @celestes.bookshelf for more bookish content!
Thank you to the Audrey team for providing a complimentary review copy!
Find me on instagram @celestes.bookshelf for more bookish content!
botle's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoy the modernist style of writing in Mansfield's short story format. It's easier to resist trying to see order where there is none. You can't really assume or expect anything going into a short story.
In this Audrey edition, Juliet Stevenson's narration is excellent - she gives an immersive experience. The notes in the guide are very helpful too.
In this Audrey edition, Juliet Stevenson's narration is excellent - she gives an immersive experience. The notes in the guide are very helpful too.
r_reads2winnie's review against another edition
4.0
This was my introduction to Katherine Mansfield, a modernist. One of my goals is to read more short stories this year, so when I found out Audrey was hosting the listen-along, I decided to participate. I am glad I did.
This collection has six short stories: Bliss, Mr. Reginald Peacock’s Day, Pictures, The Little Governess, Feuille d’Album, and A Dill Pickle. They are all different, but they explore themes of struggles and isolation of marginalized people. Mansfield captures a moment in each story, and I like her use of symbolism. It’s hard to pick my favorites, but I enjoyed Mr. Reginald Peacock’s Day, Feuille d’Album, and A Dill Pickle a little more than the rest.
The narration by Juliet Stevenson was wonderful, and I enjoyed the illustration. The notes from the expert, Sophie Corser, helped me understand and appreciate Mansfield’s work. The listen-along pace was manageable, and reading other participants’ thoughts enhanced my reading experience.