Character Study short stories from early 1920s

This is a charming set of quiet, carefully observed character study short stories. The male characters tend not to be shown well in these stories, and the situation of women is unveiled in a way that shows without saying how bleak the situation of women can be.

The audio sounds slightly muffled but seeing that Dame Peggy Ashcroft died in 1991 I suspect this was recorded in the 1960/70s. (I had to wiki who she was, as I was fascinated by her diction/narration).

"The Daughters of the Late Colonel" is a snapshot in time in two timid, older women one week after the death of their authoritarian, domineering father. You glimpse their wasted lives as they mull over the tiny choices they feel they can now make. It is bittersweet.

Her First Ball is a quick story of a teenager at her first ball, where her delight in her experience is crushed by an older man and his cynicism.

The Singing Lesson is another fast story where a 30 year old teacher is having to teach having received a letter from her fiancé breaking off their engagement. Her drilling of her overawed frightened students with a turgid sad song is an interesting study in what is not being said.

"The Stranger" is the weakest (IMO) of the four stories, but I do not feel that the husband was well written. A simple story of a husband waiting to greet his (in his mind) perfect wife, who has been overseas for ten months, who then shocks him.

It is a bit bizarre that "The Garden Party" is not included in this collection of stories.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

brilliant

a great performance and wonderful stories. subtle, insightful and funny. foregrounds the experience of women
highly recommend this!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful