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Katherine Mansfield

Katherine Mansfield Quotes

Writer

Katherine Mansfield was a New Zealand-born British writer renowned for her short stories. Her work is celebrated for its concise, direct style and profound insight into the details of everyday life. Although her writing career was brief, her influence on literature has been profound.

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Famous Katherine Mansfield Quotes

“But the pear tree was as lovely as ever and as full of flower and as still.”

Loss Tree Flower Pear

Book:Bliss

Source: Bliss

“I don't believe other people are ever as foolishly excited as I am while I'm working. How could they be? Writers would have to live in trees.”

People Believe Passion Work Tree Don't Believe Excited

Book:Letters to John Middleton Murry, 1913-1922

Source: Letters to John Middleton Murry, 1913-1922

“we cling to our last pleasures as the tree clings to its last leaves.”

Lasts Pleasure Tree

Book:The Collected Stories of Katherine Mansfield

Source: The Collected Stories of Katherine Mansfield

“I love the evening star. Does that sound foolish? I used to go into the backyard, after sunset, and wait for it until it shone above the dark gum tree. I used to whisper 'There you are, my darling.' And just in that first moment it seemed to be shining for me alone. It seemed to understand this ... something which is like longing, and yet it is not longing. Or regret - it is more like regret.”

Firsts Doe Moments Used Stars Waiting Sound Dark Tree Regret Longing Shining Foolish Evening Sunset Darling Me Alone Backyards Gum

Book:Undiscovered country: the New Zealand stories of Katherine Mansfield

Source: Undiscovered country: the New Zealand stories of Katherine Mansfield

“Ach, Tchekov! Why are you dead? Why can’t I talk to you in a big darkish room at late evening—where the light is green from the waving trees outside? I’d like to write a series of Heavens: that would be one.”

Writing Bigs Light Would Be Heaven Rooms Tree Late Green Series Evening

Book:The Katherine Mansfield notebooks

Source: The Katherine Mansfield notebooks

“I love this place; I love mountains and big skies and forests. And the weather is still supremely beautiful even though the lower peaks are powdered with fresh snow. But Heavens! What sun. It never has an ending. I am basking at this minute - half past four - too hot without a hat, & the sky is that transparent blue only to be seen in autumn - the forest trees steeped in light.”

Source: The Collected Letters of Katherine Mansfield: Volume IV: 1920-1921