A review by readingoverbreathing
The Closed Door and Other Stories by Dorothy Whipple

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

My first time diving into any of Whipple's short stories and, let me tell you, this might be my all-time favorite short-story collection ever. All of them were just so well-written and so well-paced, from the shortest to the longest. As in her novels, she does such a beautiful job of capturing domestic life, especially its flaws, as well as portraying the way 20th-century society entrapped daughters, mothers, wives, governesses, and maiden aunts alike.

The Closed Door — ★★★★
The Rose — ★★★★
Youth — ★★★★
The Handbag — ★★★★
Family Crisis — ★★★★
After Tea — ★★★★
Wednesday — ★★★★
Summer Holiday — ★★★★
Saturday Afternoon — ★★★★★
Cover — ★★★★

Average rating comes out to 4.1, which rounds down to 4 stars.