Bliss, and Other Stories by Katherine Mansfield (Vintage 1967 Penguin Modern Classics)

“Bliss, and Other Stories” is a collection of short stories by Katherine Mansfield, a prominent New Zealand writer of the early 20th century. The collection was first published in 1920, and it contains some of Mansfield’s most celebrated works.

The stories in “Bliss, and Other Stories” explore themes of modernity, social class, and gender roles. Some of the most famous stories in the collection include:

• “Prelude”: a semi-autobiographical story that depicts a young girl’s coming of age and her conflicted relationship with her family.
• “Je ne parle pas français”: a story about a woman’s social aspirations and her encounter with a Frenchman.
• “Bliss”: a story about a woman named Bertha Young who is overcome with a sense of joy and contentment after hosting a dinner party.
• “The Wind Blows”: a story about a woman named Matilda who is trapped in an unhappy marriage and seeks refuge in her memories and fantasies.

Overall, “Bliss, and Other Stories” is a masterful collection of short fiction that showcases Mansfield’s skillful prose, psychological insight, and her ability to capture the complexities of human experience.