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'This is a book about childhood, but it is not a mere literary
essay, it is a work of the widest learning, exploring the whole
field of the subject ... a book rich in ideas, rich in information,
rich in wisdom ...indeed, a kind of Anatomy of Childhood.' The
Listener 'An enchanting book, and one that is certain of deepening
affection in every house into which it finds its way.' Observer
'Only Walter de la Mare could have devised these ceremonies and
been the master of them. In this conjuration of childhood he has
amassed its evidence as displayed in many autobiographies, and has
set against this the letters, diaries, stories and verses of these
children ... His company ranges from mill hands and chimney sweeps
to two queens of England; it embraces the whole gamut of the
English poets; mathematicians and philosophers, though not so
plentiful, are discovered to have been children once.' New
Statesman
Desert Islands opens with a captivating essay on the romance of
islands and castaways in literature and life, and the associations
that have arisen in the imagination of readers in every generation.
The essay leads on to over 200 pages of what de la Mare himself
calls 'a rambling commentary', in the form of an anthology or
commonplace book on every conceivable aspect of this teeming
subject. There are notes, reflections and quotations from a
lifetime's reading on wrecks, maroons, pirates, utopias, goats,
hallucinations, exotic foods, misers, punishments, solitude ,
Darwin, parrots, idols, saints, hermits, maps, spices, drugs . . .
and of course Daniel Defoe. Desert Islands is the perfect bedside
or holiday book. It also playfully boasts a subtitle of rococo
inventiveness and one of the longest you will ever read! 'A vast
treasure chest, a bewildering collection . . . to dazzle and
fascinate everyone who lifts the lid.' Geoffrey Grigson
Walter de la Mare was among the leading proponents of the so-called
'Georgian' poets, a loose assembly of influential literary friends
who gathered in London in the years leading up to the First World
War. Concerned with a refinement of sensibility - in feeling, in
expression and in particular in regard to the natural world - the
Georgians tapped a popular vein that de la Mare first embraced then
later distanced himself from. This engaging assembly of verse and
prose, first published in 1943, is de la Mare's vivid survey on
love and sensibility, and contains, in his words, 'many of the
supreme lyrics in the language'.
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Behold, This Dreamer! - Of Reverie, Night, Sleep, Dream, Love-Dreams, Nightmare, Death, the Unconscious, the Imagination, Divination, the Artist, and Kindred Subjects (Paperback, Main)
Walter de la Mare
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R942
Discovery Miles 9 420
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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Walter de la Mare's anthologies are in a category of their own,
indeed, they are of such excellence as to make the description
belittling. Walter de la Mare compiled five of them, with
commentaries, using poems and passages of prose. All are being
reissued in Faber Finds, and to each he brought such a range of
reading, wisdom and intelligence as to make them cornucopias of
delight and entertainment. Behold, This Dreamer was first published
in 1939 and Faber Finds is proud to reissue it seventy years on.
Walter de la Mare provides a long introduction which leads to, in
his own words, '. . . a Survey - a panorama - of a wide theme,
endlessly inviting, in much obscure, viewed from many different
angles, by many diverse minds.' To quote from the original blurb,
'Mr de la Mare is concerned not merely with dreaming, whether by
night or day, with fantasies, hallucinations, explanations and
interpretations of dreams, and the whole business (so to speak) of
getting into (as well as out of) the dreamstate. His net is thrown
over death as well as sleep, Nature as well as Man: and he takes
his soundings in those unconscious and unreasoning depths out of
which human personality and art so mysteriously spring.'
'The most compelling of anthologies, the most leisurely, and the
most complete.' Observer First published in 1923, the conception of
de la Mare's collection of poetry and prose 'for the young of all
ages' had been in the poet's mind for some time. He wanted it to
transcend the ordinary anthology, to have real unity and to be a
true introduction to poetry. The result was, in its time, a
completely original book, personal and creative - pervaded by his
own company throughout. Come Hither takes its unity from de la
Mare's introduction, an allegorical prose fable, the subtle and
playful references of which are echoed throughout the proceeding
collection. The anthology's ecstatic variety, where 'unofficial
poetry', such as counting-out rhymes, appear on equal terms
alongside Keats's Odes, suggests a relation between childhood and
poetry that is at once serious and radiantly spontaneous. Together
with the children's literature aspect, it also provides a selection
of the leading Georgian poets and is arguably the best account of
their 'hinterland', documenting their prevailing thematic concerns
alongside a selection of their predecessors.
Published to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Walter de la
Mare's death, this is the first of a three-volume collection
bringing together his short stories. It includes The Riddle and
Other Stories (1923) containing 15 stories, Ding, Dong Bell (1924)
containing four stories, and The Connoisseur and Other Stories
(1926) containing nine stories. Also included are 14 uncollected
stories published between 1895 and 1920. De la Mare's earliet
published works were stories, the first of them appaering in 1895.
There was always a creative counterpoint between the themes and
imagery of his prose and poetry, and a full understanding of either
is unattainable without knowledge of both. The publication of this
volume coincides with the 40th anniversary of Walter de la Mare's
death. Kings College London will be holding a one-day conference
featuring the stories of Walter de la Mare to coincide with the
publication of volume one on November 7, 1996, including speakers
such as Professor John Bayley, Julia Briggs, and Russell Hoban.
The perfect gift for children aged 8+, this stunning classic
collection of poetry will delight a new generation of readers of
the Faber Children's Classics list. Peacock Pie contains the finest
of Walter de la Mare's poems for children, accompanied by exquisite
original illustrations from Edward Ardizzone. This beautiful new
edition of a classic anthology is an essential part of any child's
bookshelf.
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Snow (Hardcover, Main)
Walter de la Mare; Illustrated by Carolina Rabei
1
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R409
R319
Discovery Miles 3 190
Save R90 (22%)
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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'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.
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.
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Silver (Paperback, Main)
Walter de la Mare; Illustrated by Carolina Rabei
1
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R220
R171
Discovery Miles 1 710
Save R49 (22%)
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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Slowly, silently, now the moon Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees Silver fruit upon silver
trees; One spring evening, the fairies gather in the woods. Two
sleepy children join in the parade to a wonderful, dream-like fairy
party. Illustrated by bright new talent, Carolina Rabei, this
Walter de la Mare poem is brought to life with shimmery, ethereal
illustrations, making it the perfect book for bedtime. One of four
seasonal Walter de la Mare picture books that form a set, each with
complementing colour palates and illustrations by rising young star
Carolina.
An enchanting retelling of nineteen fairy tales, introduced by
popular fantasy writer Philip Pullman Originally published in 1927,
Told Again is an enchanting collection of elegant fairy tales,
showcasing the formidable talents of Walter de la Mare, one of the
most celebrated writers of children's literature during the first
half of the twentieth century. His abundant literary gifts can be
savored once more in this beautiful new edition. Nineteen adapted
classics, including "Rapunzel," "Little Red Riding-Hood,"
"Rumplestiltskin," and "The Sleeping Beauty," are made new by de la
Mare's poetic insights and graceful prose, making these tales
appropriate for younger readers. With marvelous black and white
illustrations by A. H. Watson, this volume also presents a splendid
introduction by Philip Pullman, the contemporary master of fantasy
literature.
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Snow (Board book, Main)
Walter de la Mare; Illustrated by Carolina Rabei
1
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R230
R183
Discovery Miles 1 830
Save R47 (20%)
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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'No breath of wind,
No gleam of sun
Still the white snow
Whirls softly down'
Outside, the world turns to white and three children and a dog build a snowman, throw snowballs and explore the frozen expanses
Originally published in 1927, "Told Again" is an enchanting
collection of elegant fairy tales, showcasing the formidable
talents of a writer who used magical realism before the term had
even been invented. Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) was one of the
most celebrated writers of children's literature during the first
half of the twentieth century--so much so that W. H. Auden edited a
selection of his poems and British children could recite de la
Mare's verses by heart. His abundant literary gifts can be savored
once more in this new edition. With marvelous black and white
illustrations by A. H. Watson, this volume includes a splendid
introduction by Philip Pullman, the contemporary master of fantasy
literature.
The significance of the nineteen adapted classics in "Told
Again" lies in de la Mare's poetic insights and graceful prose,
which--as Pullman indicates in his introduction--soften and sweeten
the originals, making these tales appropriate for younger readers.
In "The Four Brothers," the siblings allow the princess to choose
her own husband rather than argue over her, and in "Rapunzel," de
la Mare discreetly leaves out details of the prince's tortured,
blind search for his love. Familiar stories, such as "Little Red
Riding-Hood," "Rumpelstiltskin," and "The Sleeping Beauty" are also
made new through de la Mare's expansive, descriptive, and lyrical
prose. Pullman covers important details about de la Mare's life and
captures the stylistic intention behind the rewriting of these
wonderful favorites.
Reviving the work of a writer who exemplified a romantic vision
and imagination, "Told Again" is a remarkable retelling of fairy
tales touched by mystery and magic.
The sandy cat by the Farmer's chair Mews at his knee for dainty
fare; Old Rover in his moss-greened house Mumbles a bone, and barks
at a mouse. Carolina Rabei's stunning illustrations beautifully
illuminate Walter de la Mare's glorious celebration of a balmy
summer's evening. One of four exceptional Walter de la Mare picture
books that form a seasonal set, each with complementing colour
palates and illustrations by rising young star Carolina Rabei.
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Missing (Paperback)
Walter de la Mare, Russell Hoban
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R84
Discovery Miles 840
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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With London in the grip of a heat wave, a man takes refuge from the
scorching sun in a nearby tea shop, only to share his table with a
stranger who seems determined to make conversation. Too polite to
ignore him, he becomes his reluctant confidant, as harmless small
talk gives way to dark memories. "Missing" is the first of three
unsettling stories of guilty secrets, past hurts, and haunted lives
from one of the foremost English writers of the 20th century.
Remembered chiefly as a poet, and in particular for his visionary
poem "The Traveller," Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) was also
acclaimed as a writer of short stories.
Walter de la Mare (1873-1956) was one of the best-loved English
poets of the twentieth century, his verse admired by contemporaries
including Thomas Hardy, Robert Frost, W. H. Auden and T. S. Eliot.
This volume presents a new selection of de la Mare's finest poems,
including perennial favourites such as 'Napoleon', 'Fare Well' and
'The Listeners', for a twenty-first-century audience. The poems are
accompanied by commentaries by William Wootten, which build up a
portrait of de la Mare's life, loves and friendships with the likes
of Hardy, Rupert Brooke, Edward Thomas and Katherine Mansfield.
They also point out the fascinating references to literature,
folklore and the natural world that embroider the verse.
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