Stuck in a Book

Yesterday’s post has made me ponder, and we’re going to take a little sojourn away from my holiday reading, to discuss… the short story. (When will they invent the internet equivalent of jazz hands? Surely appropriate for such announcements.)

There aren’t many literary media more divisive than the short story – strangely, people’s opinions of any particular collection seem to be decided almost before they’ve opened the book. You know where this is leading – I’m going to ask your opinion. Here’s a challenge, which I always fail – try saying you like short stories without using the word “gems”, or try saying you don’t like them without using the words “nothing to get your teeth into”. Tricky, isn’t it?

Never let it be said that I open a debate without doing a little research. Now that I am reunited with all my books (hurray!), I can look through all my shelves, and make a huge pile for a photograph. So this evening I went to see how many short story collections I had – and was rather surprised. I knew that Katherine Mansfield was one of my favourite writers, and certainly my favourite short story writer, but didn’t realise I had so many other authors competing for my attention. Yup, I’m one of those who enthuses about ‘gems’, usually regardless of the nature of the stories – I find something so rewarding, so enticing, about short stories. Having written a thesis on Victorian Short Stories, doncha know, I tried a bit of investigation into the nature of the short story – don’t think I used the word ‘gem’ once, but I can’t dispel it from my mind. One of my tutors insists upon calling Ulysses ‘the longest short story ever written’. As someone who has read it, I resent the word ‘short’ being used in the same sentence… But, in general, their brevity and structure mean a short story can hang on a single moment, issue or point – a novel would be quite weak if it tried the same thing – so it’s much more sink or swim. When they succeed, like Mansfield’s ‘The Garden Party’, for instance, they really succeed. When they fail… well, at least you haven’t spent weeks to be disappointed.

So which do I have? Prepare yourselves for a bit of a list. And a nice picture to accompany. I’ve put a cross by the ones I’ve read – anyone want to recommend any of the remaining? More importantly – to short story or not to short story? Let me know.

1) Stories of the Strange and Sinister – Frank Baker
2) Thirty Stories – Elizabeth Myers
3) The Silver Birch – Richmal Crompton
x 4) Sugar and Spice – Richmal Crompton
x 5) Tea With Mr. Rochester – Frances Towers
6) The Casino – Margaret Bonham
7) Minnie’s Room – Mollie Panter-Downs
8) The Matisse Stories – AS Byatt (read a third of it…)
x 9) The Complete Shorter Fiction – Virginia Woolf
x 10) A Table Near The Band – AA Milne
x 11) Birthday Party – AA Milne
12) Fireworks – Angela Carter
13) The Little Disturbances of Man – Grace Paley
14) Enormous Changes at the Last Minute – Grace Paley
x 15) A Winter Book – Tove Jansson
x 16) A Quiver Full of Arrows – Jeffrey Archer (oh the ignominy)
x 17) Dubliners – James Joyce
18) Tell Me A Riddle – Tillie Olsen
19) Strangers – Antonia White
x 20) Cousin Phyllis and other stories – Elizabeth Gaskell
x 21) The Manchester Marriage and other stories – Elizabeth Gaskell
22) Tales of the Unexpected – Roald Dahl
x 23) Dream Days – Kenneth Grahame
x 24) The Golden Age – Kenneth Grahame
x 25) Portraits – Kate Chopin
26) Selected Tales – DH Lawrence
x 27) The Garden Party – Katherine Mansfield
x 28) Bliss – Katherine Mansfield
x 29) The Dove’s Nest – Katherine Mansfield
30) Something Childish – Katherine Mansfield
31) Complete Short Stories vol.1 – W. Somerset Maugham

Hello again!
I do hope some of you are still lingering around the outskirts of Stuck-in-a-Book after my longest sojourn to date. It’s nice to be back in the ether, though I wouldn’t have missed the holiday – despite the almost constantly abysmal weather. And thus what you see above you is all that I managed to produce on the painting front – that, and another hastily begun painting, which I will attempt to complete from memory. The lighthouse above (hope you can work out which part of the painting is supposed to be a lighthouse) is no ordinary lighthouse, oh no. It is the lighthouse, of To The Lighthouse. Or so Our Vicar tells me, and I trust him. It was very exciting, standing with an easel and palette, and gives one the instant feeling of being an artist, whatever the canvas might suggest.

What else? Well, I got through four books, one for each of the authors in the previous post’s collage, and I’ll be reporting back on them as and when. None will be joining the 50 Books, even if the list is in no particular order. Two were banned on the rule that authors can’t be repeated; one I don’t consider obscure enough; the other didn’t make the grade. See if you can work out which is which…

Anyway, nice to be back. Put on a kettle, someone, would you?

The Clan are off to Cornwall tomorrow, and my student days finished today – after being up all night packing, I waved farewell to Magdalen and went on my way. And now I shall be away from the world of computers for a week. while Our Vicar and The Carbon Copy stride manfully along the Cornish Costal Path, and I accompany Our Vicar’s Wife in a gentler holiday of painting and reading, and tending to the burning brows of said manful walkers.

So, you ask, which books to take? Thought I’d let you know which will be coming with me. The selection was pretty much taken from those left on my university shelves, and consequently not a great deal of thought has gone into the choices. Heresy, I know, but they all look promising nonetheless. And I’m afraid not a hint of the 21st century. Cornwall isn’t the right place for gritty.

I failed to find pictures of the books in question, so here are the novelists instead. They make rather a nice collage, don’t you think? If you fancy a little challenge, have a guess who these figures are…
Ok, time up.

-Monica Dickens, One Pair of Feet (top left) – loved One Pair of Hands enough to make it a swift inclusion in the 50 Books You Should Read… (more of these now that I’m reunited with my bookshelves), and I have high hopes that this book will be equally enjoyable

-Elizabeth Myers, A Well Full of Leaves (top right) – no, this novel is not a mass effort, nor is ‘Elizabeth’ a pseudonym for this enormous family. It’s the nearest I could find to a picture of Elizabeth, because I believe she is in this Powys family photo, since she married Llewelyn Powys. Her letters were my favourite book of the last year, so intrigued by the literature

-Nancy Mitford Omnibus (bottom left) – The Pursuit of Love, Love in a Cold Climate, The Blessing are all included in this collection, and I just know I’m going to love them.

-Tove Jansson, A Winter Book – this one has been on the cards since The Summer Book was the first book in my list of fifty. Karen, fancy a joint read?

See you all in a week – might even show you the paintings I do, if you’re lucky!

Just wanted to say sorry for my absence of late, and promise that I will be back asap, with my report on Maggie O’Farrell’s The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox, amongst other bits and bobs.

As Christopher Robin might say:

Here we are again, and the final part of the Oxford Tour (TM) is about to presented before your eyes. I feel a little guilty that Academic Oxford has played such a background role in this tour, but perhaps this is an accurate representation of Stuck-in-a-Book’s Oxford… Certainly for the past two weeks.

#14 Ashmolean MuseumAgain, my stolen map helpfully highlights this little place for me. I went there in my first year (indeed, it was the site of my epiphany that the T-shirt I was wearing, emblazoned with ’66’, was also the number of my college room) but haven’t been since. This picture is included in the tour, really, because of its representation of old-meets-new. Oxford may be the oldest university in England, but it keeps moving too…

#15 27, Beaumont StreetMy doctor. Even the most functional of buildings is beautiful – thankfully, I’ve only been through its doors to receive a few injections for a trip to The Philippines last year.

#16 Beaumont BuildingsA little arbitrary – but this is one of my favourite streets in Oxford. For those of a keen disposition, you might have thought I’d said the same of St. Michael’s, but that was my favourite shopping street. Beaumont Buildings is beautiful, but more than that it is very still, very quiet and peaceful. Not sure quite how to put my finger on it – but if you ever make the trip to Oxford, and want to find the eye of the hurricane, go to Beaumont Buildings. Or Plantation Road, off Woodstock Road, off the top of the map.

#17 Wellington Square GardenA lovely little enclosed garden, in a square, where I’ve often wandered with a book and bottle of water. The last time I was there, two people dressed as pirates approached me, and asked whether or not I’d mind taking their photograph. “Oxford is weird” swiftly becomes a mantra necessary for survival.

#18 G&D’sG&D’s numero duo. But this one is George & Davis, not George & Danver, like the last one. Who knows why? No, neither do I.

#19 Building of WonderNot sure what this building is – might be Dictionary of National Biography headquarters, or next door to it – but it is forever the Building of Wonder. Impossible to see now, but the floor with large windows holds floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, on all the viewable walls. That’s a lot of books. My friend Lorna and I were wandering past in the dark at some point, and could see this amazing sight. We just stood and stared in wonderment for a while.

#20 Radcliffe Science LibraryWe’ve taken a little cut down Lamb & Flag Passage, opposite the Eagle & Child pub, which CS Lewis, JRR Tolkein et al used to frequent, and now we’re by the Radcliffe Science Library. This will play a significant role in Stuck-in-a-Book’s Oxford life next year, as it is where I’ll be working next term. Isn’t it, ahem, beautiful. Met a few other library trainees today, and received the joyful news that I’ll finish work at 5pm each day, and thus be back at home in time for Neighbours…

#21 Radcliffe CameraAnd the tour finishes at the most unusual and resplendent building in Oxford – the Radcliffe Camera, or Rad Cam as we call it. I don’t think it’s possible to take a bad photograph of this building. Inside are lots of English, History and Theology books, and a unique atmosphere. To the left of it is Brasenose College, the one to which I applied, back in Autumn 2003…

Hello again – welcome to part two of the most subjective tour of Oxford you’re likely to find anywhere. What treats are in store for you today… well, let’s leap in where I left off. I’ve cleverly altered the colour of the numbering, to help you out. But hadn’t anticipated the pains and complications double figures would bring. Can’t colour within the lines.

#7 Where you will never find Stuck-in-a-BookAs part of being a Magdalen undergraduate, for various reasons, we were all given free gym membership. Yippee. I have used this opportunity a total of once… oh, no, wait – a total of never. But now I have photographic evidence that it exists – and, in walking there, got all the exercise a man could ever need.

#8 St Ebbe’sThis was my church for a couple of years, until I changed at the beginning of this academic year. I’m now at Oxford Community Church, which doesn’t appear in this tour because it doesn’t even appear on the map. Long way off to the left… Outside St Ebbe’s is the emblem of student Oxford: a bike rack. Another form of exercise with which I have nothing to do. (That was torturous preposition- ending- sentence- avoidance.)

#9 PrimarkDon’t let anyone tell you that Oxford students are sophisticated. About a year and a half ago, the rumours were proved true, and Primark opened. For those not in the know, this is a clothing store of astounding cheapness, and general stylishness. People spoke of little else for weeks, and even camped out for the opening – the next few days were spent doing Spot the Primark Shopping Bag. Or rather, Spot the Person Who Isn’t Carrying A Primark Shopping Bag, which proved far more difficult.

#10 OxStuMarginally more cultural, this dingy little office is where I spent many Monday mornings, typing out the Drama page for Oxford Student, one of the two student newspapers. My friend Phoebe and I were drama editors – because the previous one was fired, for giving his own plays enormous, congratulatory reviews. We were invited to take up the position because we didn’t know anything about drama… I’m joking, but only just. A couple of terms saw me regularly ascend these stairs, and fiddle around with Apple Macs and InDesign, losing photos and having to edit 500 word reviews into a paragraph.

#11 BookbinderNever been in here, but isn’t it interesting? Lisa informs me that Maltby is a bibliopegist, has been since 1834 without a moment’s rest, and I always enjoy glancing in this window as I pass. In fact, St. Michael’s Street is one of the nicest shopping streets in Oxford, inasmuch as it is quiet, and has independent shops, rather than chains.

#12 ArcadiaOn the same street, this is probably my favourite shop in Oxford. Arcadia sell secondhand books, mostly paperbacks with lots of old Penguins, cards, beautiful wrapping paper, and a range of nice gifts. And very friendly sales assistants, which often seems to go hand-in-hand with independent shops.

#13 WaterstonesBefore I cement my hippie ideals, scattering petals throughout the countryside and eschewing all commercialism, here is Waterstones. I must admit, I don’t frequent this bookshop as much as Blackwell’s, but Waterstones is prettier. And that is that for today – but, fear not, the tour is not yet finished. Next time I shan’t feature a single shop, so all the purchasing endeavour is exhausted.

A few of my regular readers (don’t I sound like a gossip columnist?) have mentioned that they enjoy the glimpses of Oxford filtring through my general book-chat. They increased, of course, during my exam time – but perhaps you wouldn’t mind a longer glimpse (can one have a long glimpse?) into Oxford through the eyes of Stuck-in-a-Book. With that in mind, I took myself and my camera out yesterday, and made a photo tour. Things of interest to me, which wouldn’t necessarily be found in guide books. Hope you enjoy, because the Photo Tour is going to last for a few posts. Above is a map, with numbers indicating where the photos are taken, and dots for the path trodden. Nothing I and Microsoft Paint can’t achieve, when we put our minds to it.

#1 MagdalenYou’ve seen Magdalen before, so this is just to show that we’re leaving, and the door through which I go almost every day, often many times. Strange little porch to the auditorium, flanked by blue metal gates – one needs my keys; the other my ‘bod card’. Magdalen feels a little like a fortress sometimes, but at least it’s a beautiful one.

#2 Waterfield’s
The nearest secondhand bookshop to Magdalen – very close, as you can see on the map – and a source of delight to me because of this. The stock doesn’t change much, but it’s always nice to have a quick browse in there, and the books chosen for the window are always done so thoughtfully. They even had a Persephone book in the window a while ago, when it was Bloomsbury themed. Guess which one? Oxford had seven secondhand bookshops when I arrived, and is now at six (two closed; one opened) – you can tell why I like this city.

#3 Exam Schools
This is the exit out of which I came for all my exams, excepting the final one. The actual door is just to the right of the green and white tent (no idea why that was there – they’re not short on room inside the building), but for our final exam, we go out the back. Dozens of ushers stand around lunging at those with red carnations. My friend Lorna still managed to walk out the wrong door… we were waiting with flowers and balloons, and she came from the wrong direction. Oh dear.

#4 NatWest

Definitely not one for the guide books. Just to show how far I have to walk whenever I want to take out money… it’s a long journey, especially when you just want £10 to put on your laundry card…

#5 GnD’s

Look carefully for this one. Since I stole the map from their website, the GnD’s restaurants are highlighted by stars, and rightly so. These are good old fashioned ice cream parlours, and the first point of call for first years trying to work out why they ever left their comfortable, familiar homes. Note that it is called ‘George & Danver’ – this will become important later. They have tubs of wonderful ice cream, pricey but exquisite, flavours varying from chocolate, vanilla etc. to ‘Oxford Blue’ (blueberry) and a weekly ‘petition flavour’, voted for my customers. Things like chocolate and chilli, or cornflakes. Anything goes. GnD’s is renowned for being open til midnight (about the only eaterie that is) and is between the two most popular student churches – thus is generally filled with people either pre- or post- Bible study/church/cell groups.

#6 Famous Birth Place
Last one for today, and discovered when I was wandering through pretty little streets one afternoon. Accidentally discovered the birth place of Dorothy L. Sayers, and a lovely birth place it is too. More next time…

A few of you have been asking about my librarianship, as mentioned perfunctorily over on the left column, and so this post is to give a bit more information, as well as to set a literary challenge. You did so well with the twins one (must produce a list at some point…) that I’m sure you won’t disappoint here. Look out for the challenge at the bottom of the page…

So, what am I doing next year? My position has the rather grand title ‘Graduate Trainee Library Assistant’, and I received one of the Bodleian Traineeships. This means that, unlike the other departmental positions, I shall rotate through three libraries in Oxford next year (image of myself spinning on the spot, holding piles of books…) starting in the Radcliffe Science Library. As an Englicist, as we are forced to label ourselves, to avoid xenophobia (“are you an English student? ” always sounds horrifically unPC), the Realms of Science may be a little confusing. But only Our Vicar’s Wife and I, in the entire extended family, are non-scientists. We’ve learnt to adapt to their propensities to wear grey and talk about calculus.

What does my job entail? That’s kind of anyone’s guess, at the moment. A little bit of everything that doesn’t require expertise, I think – issue desk, cataloguing, mending, enquiries, technological bitsandbobs. All good fun. My personal quest (which probably doesn’t appear in the contract I still haven’t read) is to inject some colour into the Science Library, mostly through the medium of wool, and the specific form of jumpers.

And after all this… I’ll have the necessary year of experience required to get me into Library School. The mystery gets thicker – from what I’ve seen, these courses contain ominous topics such as ‘Transferral Management Skills’ and ‘Incorporative Information Science’. Going to need to buy a lot more colourful jumpers. But, in my mind, the first lesson will go a little like the sketch today… Perhaps not the first lesson; it’s a little advanced.

Onto the challenge. We’ve done twins in literature. Howsabout Literary Librarians? Where do librarians appear in literature? Body in the Library doesn’t count. Off the top of my head… Harry Potter provides stereotypes of every kind; step forward Madam Pince.