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A review by growe16
Bliss and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield
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!