Mavis Gallant’s “An Autobiography”

2018-05-15T10:53:52-04:00

“I served coffee in cups with Liberté and Patrie and a green-and-white shield of the Vaud on them. The parents of a pupil had bought them in Montreux for me once." Erika is a school-teacher, in a village a half-day's train ride from Montreux, Switzerland. She teaches girls elementary

Mavis Gallant’s “An Autobiography”2018-05-15T10:53:52-04:00

Mavis Gallant’s “The Old Friends”

2018-05-15T09:43:25-04:00

There is not so much sadness in this story. And, dessert is served. But there is nothing sugary about the relationship between Helena and the police commissioner. Even though they have been "friends forever". "On a silver dish, and on still another pink cloth, this one embroidered, are wedges

Mavis Gallant’s “The Old Friends”2018-05-15T09:43:25-04:00

Mavis Gallant’s “The Pegnitz Junction”

2018-05-15T09:41:01-04:00

“'Once there we are almost home. Pegnitz is a junction. Trains go through every few minutes, in all directions. In most directions,' he corrected." Herbert is careful to be exact when he's speaking to his young son, Little Bert, who believes every word his father says. Later when Herbert

Mavis Gallant’s “The Pegnitz Junction”2018-05-15T09:41:01-04:00

Mavis Gallant’s “Malcolm and Bea” (1968)

2018-03-05T15:06:08-05:00

They are no longer only thieves and rascals: “All men are filth.” Bea is perhaps no more unhappy than Marian Kimber, but she is more outwardly disgruntled. And even though she says this with a laugh, there’s an undeniable edge to it. “My mother was a saint and my

Mavis Gallant’s “Malcolm and Bea” (1968)2018-03-05T15:06:08-05:00

Mavis Gallant’s “Treading Water” (1982)

2018-02-26T11:37:30-05:00

Fans of E.M. Delafield’s Provincial Lady’s diaries will find many chuckles in this very short excerpt from the imagined diary kept by composer Richard Wagner’s mistress (who became his wife seven years after their relationship began). The story is subtitled “More Sturm und Drang from Cosima Wagner’s Diaries” and

Mavis Gallant’s “Treading Water” (1982)2018-02-26T11:37:30-05:00
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