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The Daffodil Sky and Other Stories
The Daffodil Sky and Other Stories, which first appeared in harback in October 1955, and arrived in paperback in 1959, is a fine collection of 15 short stories, written between 1952 and 1955 and ranging from portraits of the English in foreign lands to poetic treatments of rural life that amply display his mature command of structure, atmosphere, and characterization and his compassionate view of the human condition. This volume contains: The Good Corn; The Daffodil Sky; Country Society; Across the Bay; Elaine; The Maker of Coffins; The Treasure Game; Chaff in the Wind; The Small Portion; The Common Denominator; A Place in The Heart; The Evolution of Saxby; Roman Figures; Go, Lovely Rose; Third View on the Reichenbach. Significantly, Bates included nine of these stories in his 1963 collection ‘Seven By Five’.
188 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1955
About the author
H.E. Bates
276 books195 followersHerbert Ernest Bates, CBE is widely recognised as one of the finest short story writers of his generation, with more than 20 story collections published in his lifetime. It should not be overlooked, however, that he also wrote some outstanding novels, starting with The Two Sisters through to A Moment in Time, with such works as Love For Lydia, Fair Stood the Wind for France and The Scarlet Sword earning high praise from the critics. His study of the Modern Short Story is considered one of the best ever written on the subject.
He was born in Rushden, Northamptonshire and was educated at Kettering Grammar School. After leaving school, he was briefly a newspaper reporter and a warehouse clerk, but his heart was always in writing and his dream to be able to make a living by his pen.
Many of his stories depict life in the rural Midlands of England, particularly his native Northamptonshire. Bates was partial to taking long midnight walks around the Northamptonshire countryside - and this often provided the inspiration for his stories. Bates was a great lover of the countryside and its people and this is exemplified in two volumes of essays entitled Through the Woods and Down the River.
In 1931, he married Madge Cox, his sweetheart from the next road in his native Rushden. They moved to the village of Little Chart in Kent and bought an old granary and this together with an acre of garden they converted into a home. It was in this phase of his life that he found the inspiration for the Larkins series of novels -The Darling Buds of May, A Breath of French Air, When the Green Woods Laugh, etc. - and the Uncle Silas tales. Not surprisingly, these highly successful novels inspired television series that were immensely popular.
His collection of stories written while serving in the RAF during World War II, best known by the title The Stories of Flying Officer X, but previously published as Something in the Air (a compilation of his two wartime collections under the pseudonym 'Flying Officer X' and titled The Greatest People in the World and How Sleep the Brave), deserve particular attention. By the end of the war he had achieved the rank of Squadron Leader.
Bates was influenced by Chekhov in particular, and his knowledge of the history of the short story is obvious from the famous study he produced on the subject. He also wrote his autobiography in three volumes (each delightfully illustrated) which were subsequently published in a one-volume Autobiography.
Bates was a keen and knowledgeable gardener and wrote numerous books on flowers. The Granary remained their home for the whole of their married life. After the death of H. E Bates, Madge moved to a bungalow, which had originally been a cow byre, next to the Granary. She died in 2004 at age 95. They raised two sons and two daughters.
primarily from Wikipedia, with additions by Keith Farnsworth
He was born in Rushden, Northamptonshire and was educated at Kettering Grammar School. After leaving school, he was briefly a newspaper reporter and a warehouse clerk, but his heart was always in writing and his dream to be able to make a living by his pen.
Many of his stories depict life in the rural Midlands of England, particularly his native Northamptonshire. Bates was partial to taking long midnight walks around the Northamptonshire countryside - and this often provided the inspiration for his stories. Bates was a great lover of the countryside and its people and this is exemplified in two volumes of essays entitled Through the Woods and Down the River.
In 1931, he married Madge Cox, his sweetheart from the next road in his native Rushden. They moved to the village of Little Chart in Kent and bought an old granary and this together with an acre of garden they converted into a home. It was in this phase of his life that he found the inspiration for the Larkins series of novels -The Darling Buds of May, A Breath of French Air, When the Green Woods Laugh, etc. - and the Uncle Silas tales. Not surprisingly, these highly successful novels inspired television series that were immensely popular.
His collection of stories written while serving in the RAF during World War II, best known by the title The Stories of Flying Officer X, but previously published as Something in the Air (a compilation of his two wartime collections under the pseudonym 'Flying Officer X' and titled The Greatest People in the World and How Sleep the Brave), deserve particular attention. By the end of the war he had achieved the rank of Squadron Leader.
Bates was influenced by Chekhov in particular, and his knowledge of the history of the short story is obvious from the famous study he produced on the subject. He also wrote his autobiography in three volumes (each delightfully illustrated) which were subsequently published in a one-volume Autobiography.
Bates was a keen and knowledgeable gardener and wrote numerous books on flowers. The Granary remained their home for the whole of their married life. After the death of H. E Bates, Madge moved to a bungalow, which had originally been a cow byre, next to the Granary. She died in 2004 at age 95. They raised two sons and two daughters.
primarily from Wikipedia, with additions by Keith Farnsworth
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 27, 2024
Most people we meet are more like stories than novels. We catch a fleeting glimpse of them at best. This collection is a reminder, a fine one that I will read again. It has fourteen stories. Here are a few words about each one.
In "The Good Corn," a farming couple go from grief to joy when they move house.
"The Daffodil Sky" is about a murderer released from prison who looks up the woman who once made him jealous.
A young guest brightens a boring party in "Country Society."
In "Across the Bay," a stranger reminds a woman of her husband that died in a war.
"Elaine" concerns a cryptic squabble that a passenger overhears on a train.
"The Maker of Coffins" is about a son's visit to his mother and the gift he brings to her.
In "The Treasure Game," a woman flirts with a man younger than her.
A woman gives directions to a man that she can't have in "Chaff on the Wind."
In "The Small Portion," two strangers tour an Italian villa together.
An old woman shows she is not like her sister when a servant is dying in "The Common Denominator."
A silk scarf leads to romance in "A Place in the Heart."
Two men strike up a friendship on a train when a sandwich is inedible in "The Evolution of Saxby."
Some ancient remains lead a man to make a decision for life in "Roman Figures."
"Go, Lovely Rose" is about a father whose daughter stays out late.
In "Third View on the Reichenbach," a mountain inn keeper explains how she got there.
Like daffodils, these stories are brief. Some are bright. Others are more sulfurous and sinister in mood. All are worth a look.
In "The Good Corn," a farming couple go from grief to joy when they move house.
"The Daffodil Sky" is about a murderer released from prison who looks up the woman who once made him jealous.
A young guest brightens a boring party in "Country Society."
In "Across the Bay," a stranger reminds a woman of her husband that died in a war.
"Elaine" concerns a cryptic squabble that a passenger overhears on a train.
"The Maker of Coffins" is about a son's visit to his mother and the gift he brings to her.
In "The Treasure Game," a woman flirts with a man younger than her.
A woman gives directions to a man that she can't have in "Chaff on the Wind."
In "The Small Portion," two strangers tour an Italian villa together.
An old woman shows she is not like her sister when a servant is dying in "The Common Denominator."
A silk scarf leads to romance in "A Place in the Heart."
Two men strike up a friendship on a train when a sandwich is inedible in "The Evolution of Saxby."
Some ancient remains lead a man to make a decision for life in "Roman Figures."
"Go, Lovely Rose" is about a father whose daughter stays out late.
In "Third View on the Reichenbach," a mountain inn keeper explains how she got there.
Like daffodils, these stories are brief. Some are bright. Others are more sulfurous and sinister in mood. All are worth a look.
Want to Read
November 13, 201211/12 40min
father fall into disorder mad cnfused and lonely
1:what will you do that father's situation.
I will same her father.
2:If your daughter don't go back home, would you do?
I wait at home
father fall into disorder mad cnfused and lonely
1:what will you do that father's situation.
I will same her father.
2:If your daughter don't go back home, would you do?
I wait at home
October 23, 2012
An excellent collection --among the best stories Bates wrote.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews