Most Popular Books by Walter De La Mare

Walter De la Mare''s "The Return" is a poetic and haunting exploration of memory, loss, and the quest for meaning in an inexplicable world. Rich with atmospheric imagery and lyrical prose, the work reflects De la Mare''s mastery in blending the supernatural with the everyday, drawing readers into its enigmatic narrative. The story unfolds in a manner reminiscent of Gothic literature, yet it transcends mere genre by delving into deeper psychological themes, inviting interpretation on both metaphysical and existential levels. De la Mare''s subtle layering of motifs, such as the passage of time and the essence of the fleeting human experience, invites readers to confront the lingering specters of the past. Walter De la Mare, an English poet, novelist, and short story writer, was profoundly influenced by his love of nature and the mystical aspects of existence. His fascination with the ethereal and the unseen is woven throughout his oeuvre, culminating in works like "The Return," which reflect his early experiences and the complexities of human emotion. De la Mare''s literary career, marked by his mastery of narrative and evocative language, showcases his deep sensitivities and artistic prowess. I wholeheartedly recommend "The Return" to readers who appreciate richly layered fiction steeped in introspective thought and emotional depth. This compelling narrative not only enchants with its haunting beauty but also prompts profound reflection on the inevitability of time and the enduring nature of memory, making it an essential read for lovers of literary fiction.

Up on their brooms the Witches stream, Crooked and black in the crescent''s gleam It''s Halloween and a family is preparing to go trick-or-treating. Little do they know that up above them a coven of witches flies unseen through the starry sky... Carolina''s stunning illustrations beautifully illuminate Walter de la Mare''s thrilling, magical poem, published as a picture book for the first time.

Considered an ideal introduction to the pleasures of poetry.

Recounts the events of the French and Indian War in the Western Pennsylvania region and the roles played by Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt.

Nineteen classic fairy tales, retold for younger readers in the early twentieth-century, including "Rapunzel," "Little Red Riding-Hood," "Rumpelstiltskin," and "The Sleeping Beauty."

In "Down-Adown-Derry: A Book of Fairy Poems," Walter De la Mare crafts a mesmerizing collection of whimsical verse that transports readers to a realm of enchantment and wonder. The poems deftly intertwine elements of nature and folklore, showcasing De la Mare''Äôs unique ability to evoke the ethereal beauty of the world through simple language imbued with profound emotional depth. The lyrical simplicity of his style reflects the traditions of Victorian children''s poetry while simultaneously establishing a modern sensibility, effectively capturing the innocence and imagination of childhood. Through vivid imagery and musical cadence, the collection invites readers to explore hidden realms and eternal truths, echoing themes prevalent in English romanticism and fairy tales. Walter De la Mare, an esteemed poet and novelist, was deeply influenced by the mystical and mythical elements of folklore, which permeate his works. Born into a family that nurtured his artistic inclinations, De la Mare was drawn to the ethereal since childhood, a fascination that blossomed amidst the late Victorian and Edwardian literary climates. His encounters with the oral tradition of storytelling, coupled with his profound understanding of myth, led him to pen this delightful collection, which harmonizes both the imaginary and the tangible. "Down-Adown-Derry" is a must-read for poetry enthusiasts and those who appreciate the delicate nuances of childhood wonder. De la Mare''Äôs poems not only enchant the young reader but also evoke a sense of nostalgia in adults, reminding them of the magic that lingers in everyday life. This enchanting collection is an essential addition to any bookshelf, promising to inspire and ignite the imagination of all who venture into its pages.

''No breath of wind, No gleam of sun Still the white snow Whirls softly down'' As the day draws to a close, a family prepares for Christmas - decorating the tree, hanging stockings by the fire, putting out a plate of mince pies... Outside, the world turns to white.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The publication of Short Stories for Children celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of Walter de la Mare''s death. It is also the culmination of a major literary enterprise. For many people, Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) is as great a writer of fiction as of poetry. But, the majority of his short stories, of which there are a hundred, have long been unavailable. Short Stories brings them all together in three volumes in the first comprehensive collection to be published. The third and last volume, Short Stories for Children, starts with Broomsticks and Other Tales of 1925, with its twelve stories, and continues with The Lord Fish of 1933 with seven stories. It includes three distinctive stories, ''Pigtails, Ltd'', ''The Thief'' and ''A Nose'', that have never been reprinted since they originally appeared in Broomsticks. Quirky, disparate, unpredictable, acutely observed, sometimes frightening, and often preoccupied with states of mind and personal identity, these stories have much in common with the adult stories. Some of them are peopled with giants, witches, kind elves, evil and spiteful fairies, and imprisoned maidens in castles, but most are not. We find ourselves in railway trains, a mansion in the City of London, another Elizabethan one in a mysterious tract of country, a remote farm house near the sea, a waterlogged forest, a drawing-room being watched by a fly; and, among other things, we encounter a wise monkey, a haunted cat, a fish magician, a baron transmogrified into a donkey, a thief desperate to be burgled, a man who believes he has a wax nose, and a godmother celebrating her 350th birthday. As in de la Mare''s poems, everyday reality may at any time become undercut by disturbing uncertainty and dark, though not always malign, forces. A full understanding of the poems and stories is impossible without knowledge of both. Vivid and timeless, Bold''s original woodcut designs and Rex Whistler''s original engravings have been used to illustrate the two parts of the book. Punch on the children''s stories: ''Whether Walter de la Mare is writing of scarecrows or piccaninnies, cats, fish, very old ladies, an admiral with a magic jacket or a godmother who could offer three centuries of life, he is enchanted and enchanting. There is a wisdom as well as magic -or perhaps one should say a magical wisdom.'' TLS on Short Stories 1895-1926 and Short Stories 1927-1956: ''What strikes one most about [them] is how truly peculiar they are... it is good to see these dark and disquieting stories back in print.'' Martin Seymour-Smith in Scotland on Sunday on Short Stories 1895-1926: ''He was so..."great" that, like all the greatest, his greatness functions as an assumption that goes hardly even recognized...the chief emotion is, as it should be, one of immense gratitude.'' Lord David Cecil: ''Beautiful, enigmatic and disquieting stories.'' Angela Carter: ''De la Mare is a master of mise-en-scene...Prose with the most vivid and unsettling intensity, which resembles some of what the surrealists were producing in France...'' Contents of Short Stories for Children: (1) Broomsticks and Other Tales (1925): Pigtails, Ltd; The Dutch Cheese; Miss Jemima; The Thief; Broomsticks; Lucy; A Nose; The Three Sleeping Boys of Warwickshire; The Lovely Myfanwy; Alice''s Godmother; Maria-Fly; Visitors. (2) The Lord Fish (1933): The Lord Fish; A Penny a Day; The Magic Jacket; Dick and the Beanstalk; The Scarecrow; The Old Lion; Sambo and the Snow Mountains.

The publication of Short Stories 1895-1926 celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of Walter de la Mare''s death. It is also the culmination of a major literary enterprise. For many people Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) is as great a writer of fiction as of poetry. But the majority of his short stories, of which there are a hundred, have long been unavailable. Short Stories brings them all together in three volumes in the first comprehensive collection to be published. De la Mare''s earliest published works were stories, and he continued writing and rewriting stories throughout the rest of his life. There was always a creative counterpoint between the themes and imagery of his prose and his poetry - such as the dream, childhood, the house, night, love lost and regained, solitude and the traveller. A full understanding of either is impossible without knowledge of both. TLS on Short Stories 1895-1926 and Short Stories 1927-1956: ''What strikes one most about [them] is how truly peculiar they are... it is good to see these dark and disquieting stories back in print.'' Martin Seymour-Smith in Scotland on Sunday on Short Stories 1895-1926: ''He was so..."great" that, like all the greatest, his greatness functions as an assumption that goes hardly even recognized...the chief emotion is, as it should be, one of immense gratitude.'' Lord David Cecil: ''Beautiful, enigmatic and disquieting stories.'' Angela Carter: ''De la Mare is a master of mise-en-scene...Prose with the most vivid and unsettling intensity, which resembles some of what the surrealists were producing in France...'' Contents of Short Stories 1895-1926 : (1) The Riddle and Other Stories (1923): The Almond Tree; The Count''s Courtship; The Looking-Glass; Miss Duveen; Selina''s Parable; Seaton''s Aunt; The Bird of Travel; The Bowl; The Three Friends; Lispet, Lispett and Vaine; The Tree; Out of the Deep; The Creatures; The Riddle; The Vats. (2) Ding Dong Bell (1924): Lichen; Benighted; Strangers and Pilgrims; Winter. (3) The Connoisseur and Other Stories (1926): Mr Kempe; Missing; The Connoisseur; Disillusioned; The Nap; Pretty Poll; All Hallows; The Wharf; The Lost Track. (4) Uncollected stories: Kismet; The Hangman Luck; A Mote; The Village of Old Age; The Moon''s Miracle; The Giant; De Mortuis; The Rejection of the Rector; The Match-Maker; The Budget; The Pear-Tree; Leap Year; Promise at Dusk; Two Days in Town.