Author Description
This four-volume collection of English short stories demonstrates the excellence and variety of short fiction written in the English language during the 20th century. Each volume covers a different period and represents the most distinguished writers of their day.The first volume, The Dragon's Head, covers the period between the turn of the century and the outbreak of the Second World War. No other collection of English short stories concentrates on this period. It includes stories by Stella Benson, John Galsworthy, Richard Hughes, M.R. James, Somerset Maugham, Leonard Merrick, Naomi Mitchison, Geoffrey Moss, Saki, Frank O'Connor, Dorothy L. Sayers, Sir Hugh Walpole, and H.G. Wells.The second volume, The Killing Bottle, covers the period between the 1930s and 40s. Chosen by Dan Davin, the collection includes stories by writers of international reputation and importance such as Elizabeth Bowen, Joyce Cary, Walter de la Mare, Graham Greene, L.P. Hartley, Somerset Maugham, Frank O'Connor, V.S. Pritchett, William Sansom, Dylan Thomas, Evelyn Waugh, and Angus Wilson. Davin has also contributed a preface and biographical notes.The third volume, Charmed Lives, covers the period between the 1950s and 60s. It includes selections made by T.S. Dorsch that come from countries as diverse as Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, and the West Indies. It contains stories by Mary Lavin, William Sansom, Dal Stivens, Viola Meynell, Maurice Shadbolt, H.E. Bates, Bill Naughton, L.P. Hartley, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, John Wain, L.E. Jones, Nadine Gordimer, Peter Ustinov, May C. Jenkins, Morley Callaghan, Norah Lofts, David Owoyele, Angus Wilson, Rhys Davies, and George Lamming. Dorsch also provides a preface and biographical notes.Covering the period between the 1960s and 70s, the fourth volume, The Green Man Revisited & Other Stories, contains stories that take place in a wide range of settings, including an Afrikaans township, an Indian village, and a South-Coast beach.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
This collection captures the shifting cultural and social landscapes of the 1960s and 1970s through a diverse array of short fiction. The volume serves as the final installment in a series documenting the evolution of the English short story across the 20th century. By curating works from various international settings, the anthology highlights the thematic concerns of authors navigating a rapidly changing post-colonial and modern world. The narrative framework relies on the juxtaposition of distinct regional voices to illustrate the breadth of the English language during this specific historical era.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Focus on the 1960s and 1970s literary period
- Inclusion of international perspectives from diverse Commonwealth regions
- Exploration of varied cultural settings including townships and rural villages
- Emphasis on the stylistic diversity of mid-century short fiction
- Biographical notes providing context for the selected authors
- Editorial preface framing the historical significance of the era
- Multi-geographic narrative scope
- Representation of established and emerging voices of the time
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently note that this collection serves as a vital historical record of the short story form during a period of significant global transition. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the anthology in bridging the gap between traditional English storytelling and the emerging post-colonial voices of the era. Many highlight the variety of settings as a primary strength, noting how the stories successfully transport the reader across continents. The pacing is described as varied, reflecting the different stylistic approaches of the contributing authors. Overall, the work is viewed as a comprehensive resource for those interested in the development of 20th-century literature.
Page Count:
320
Publication Date:
1988-08-04
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192821903
ISBN-13:
9780192821904
Fiction
20th Century
Classic Literature
Anthology
Short Stories
Great Britain
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