A legend in the art of short-story Katherine Mansfield (1888-1923) even after 84 years of her death, is alive in her writings which can never fade. Her description of nature so down to earth haunts for days a sensitive reader's mind. She was nine when her first story was published. Katherine Mansfield's volumes of journals and letters make a fascinating reading. I am tempted to share certain passages and jottings in those volumes.

As she suffered from consumption, she was invariably alone; so in one of her jottings in the journal she says  "when I by chance find a string of hair in my bread and honey, it's my own". Afflicted with tuberculosis Katherine Mansfield passed most of her life (from 1918 onwards) in Italy, Switzerland and France.


 In her contribution to 'Adelphi' a journal edited by her scholarly husband John Middleton-Murray titled 'More extracts from a Journal' writes "I'd like to write my books and spend some happy time with John and see Lawrence in a sunny place and pick violets- all kinds of flowers. I'd like to do heaps of things really. But I don't mind if I do not do them........ honesty (why?) is the only thing one seems to prize beyond life, love, death, everything. It alone remaineth- O you who come after me, will you believe it? At the end, Truth is the only thing worth having; it's more thrilling than love, more joyful and more passionate. It simply cannot fail. All else fails. I, at any rate give the reminder of my life to it and it alone. (Dec 15th 1919) I'd like to write a long, long story on this and call it in 'Last Words to Life' one ought to write it. And another on the subject of hate.

Katherine Anne Porter writes 'During her life she had a fabulous prestige among young writers in England and America. Her readers were not numerous but they were devoted. I am certain she deserved her fame and I wonder 0why it was not greater.'

I agree - I am proud to be devoted to her writings and gathered enough material about her life from my father's library; I do possess also a beautiful and authentic watercolour painting of the profile of Katherine Mansfield. I read and reread her articles as appeared in the journal Adelphi founded by her husband. Katherine Mansfield's zest for life was unique; even though she was shattered with grief when she heard of her brother's death in France due to explosion of grenade in his hands. Though she first longed to join her brother in death, she uttered 'I'have got things to do for both of us.'

So her exquisite writings in the form of short stories, poems, journals and letters followed even in her short span of life.

I was absolutely and totally got engrossed with my reading of 'A Cup of Tea' from the collection of stories called 'Dove’s Nest and other stories published in 1923. Her vivid and graphic description of human nature is so poetic and trembling with Beauty.

Katherine Mansfield was our family favourite. All our sisters & brothers were familiar with her writings. At a time when I planned a visit to France on work, my father hinted  the purchase of a perfume made out of Gene't- Fleuri as it happened to be a favourite of Katherine Mansfield.

I made every effort and at last was successful in obtaining several Soap-cakes made out of Gene't- Fleuri (a special type of flower grown on Pyranese mountains to broom stick plants) Perfumes are patented to be manufactured only in UK from the imports of essence from France.

My father was always fond of using these soap-cakes in his life.