The Garden Party and Other Stories

Great writer . . . poor narrator.

Would you try another book from Katherine Mansfield and/or Marguerite Gavin?

Katherine Mansfield's stories are delicate gems, but they require a sensitive reading, which is sadly lacking here.

What did you like best about this story?

The stories are held together with tiny strands, usually made from the internal emotional progression of the characters, but sometimes held together by the reader's emotional reaction to the story. A specific effect or mood seems to be intended, so it's more effective to read/hear these stories at one sitting.

These are delicacies, not steak and potatoes. But when you connect with the story, the emotional zingers are quite powerful. That is what I enjoy about Mansfield's stories.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator is terrible, I'm sorry to say. This my first great disappointment with an Audible.com narrator. I guess she is trying to sound ironic, but instead she sounds laconic, catatonic, lobotomized, monotone. Once in a while she loses her self-consciousness and gets emotionally connected with the reading. At those times she is fairly effective.

What character would you cut from The Garden Party and Other Stories?

These are exquisite masterpieces for the connoisseur who appreciates them. You can't edit masterpieces!

Any additional comments?

Look for another collection with a different narrator. This reading is just too painful to enjoy.

2 people found this helpful

lovely reads

soothing and artistic voices. a pleasure to listen throughout the day and during a long drive