Yes! He is a master of the short story and although I'll never understand the resistance people have to short stories, I think Trevor could cure them. Thanks for this.
After watching your video I really want to go on with W Trevor. I read The story of Lucy Gault and I loved it so much. I have also read Reading Turgenev because of Shawn and you. I’ll continue with the works translated in my language (Love and Summer, Felicias’s journey and Cheating at Canasts) and then I’ll try his short stories. Great video, thanks👍
I’ve enjoyed everything of his I’ve read but the stories consistently show him at his best. It took him a while longer to master the novel, but Other Peoples’ Worlds is my favourite.
Thanks so much for making this video! I just finished The Story of Lucy Gault after it was recommended by Ann Patchett. It was so wonderful and subtle. I’ve now got some ideas of where to next with Trevor.
A master of the short story, but don't sell the novels short. I really liked "Fools of Fortune" & "Mrs. Eckdorf at O'Neill's Hotel". Plus, "Mrs Gomez & The Brethren" I feel is one of his best...Thank you for putting the video out!
I hadn’t heard of him but came across a stash of his books at an op-shop in Melbourne. Bought two and am enjoying ‘ A Bit on the Side’. The way the book is organised it took me a while to realise they are short stories- wondering why new characters were being added all the time!
This is my favorite kind of video you make. I always learn so much. in this case I have not read any of his work so even more useful! Adding one or two of these to my list this year!
Been waiting for this! And I agree with everything you said - even about My House in Umbria! I think I just have 3 more story collections to go (I read one a year and stick to the original collections rather than the intimidatingly vast collected volume) and favourites have been Beyond the Pale, Lovers of their Time and After Rain - but they are all excellent. I would also highly recommend Silence in the Garden and Fools of Fortune to anyone who prefers novels. Trevor’s position as a Protestant in largely Catholic Ireland adds an interesting perspective to his work.
Thanks Ian. I just finished _Silence in the Garden_ and it was great. I will have to get a copy of _Fools of Fortune_. You have read a good bit more of Trevor than I! Trevor's Protestant background does give him a different perspective on Ireland, but I have always found him to be fairly generous in his portrayal of Catholics.
I just finished reading Natural History by Andrea Barrett (Ship Fever introduced me to and made me appreciate short stories). In her bio it said she's written in the style of Munro and Trevor, so here I am! Thank you for this video!
I was hoping you would do a "where not to start" on William Trevor. Based on past discussions of his writings you reviewed I purchased his collection of short stories even though I'm not a fan of short stories, and I read the first one "The Piano Tuner's Wife and thoroughly enjoyed it and in fact found myself thinking about it. I am giving it a few more days to sink in and then will be rereading it. So, thank you for this.
It seems strange it took almost 20 years of submissions before the New Yorker starting taking his short stories. (A quiet word from his friend Vic Pritchett eased his way in.) Felicia’s Journey was published in 1994 and the city is Birmingham. It was my first Trevor and remains my favourite, not least because a scene from the film was shot in my home town.
Thanks for the corrections on Felicia’s Journey. The New Yorker has, I think, always had a preferred style and is slow to accept changes to that style. I’m glad they finally came to their senses in regard to Trevor.
_The News From Ireland_ is a good kind of mid career collection. I like all the later ones (not every story, but when taken as a whole):_Cheating At Canasta_ _After Rain_ and _Last Stories_.
I am only about a fourth of the way through it, though I have read one of the collections contained it it. I like "The Table" "The Ballroom of Romance" "The 47th Saturday", "The Day We Got Drunk on Cake" and "The News From Ireland"
"Torridge" is my personal favorite. He is a master at peeling the onion of secrets, layer by layer, until you are overwhelmed by a story's revelations. Ditto for "Teresa's Wedding" and "The Smoke Trees of San Pietro." His lyrical prose style conceals a lot of these secrets in a beautiful nuanced texture. When he's good, he's great, even better than Alice Munro because Trevor is capable of chameleonlike empathy. Negative capability par excellence... Trevor is eminently rereadable. Reader's bliss.
Yes! He is a master of the short story and although I'll never understand the resistance people have to short stories, I think Trevor could cure them. Thanks for this.
Thank you. I think Trevor could cure the short story haters was well.
After watching your video I really want to go on with W Trevor. I read The story of Lucy Gault and I loved it so much. I have also read Reading Turgenev because of Shawn and you.
I’ll continue with the works translated in my language (Love and Summer, Felicias’s journey and Cheating at Canasts) and then I’ll try his short stories.
Great video, thanks👍
I thought _Love and Summer_ was truly lovely. "The Dressmakers Child" from _Cheating At Canasta_ is amazing.
These videos are so useful - thanks for making them. I've been really interested in William Trevor since hearing you mention him so much.
Thank you. He was a great writer.
I’ve enjoyed everything of his I’ve read but the stories consistently show him at his best. It took him a while longer to master the novel, but Other Peoples’ Worlds is my favourite.
I agree completely. I have not read Other People’s World’s. Trevor was just so dang prolific!
Thanks so much for making this video! I just finished The Story of Lucy Gault after it was recommended by Ann Patchett. It was so wonderful and subtle. I’ve now got some ideas of where to next with Trevor.
Thank you for watching and for your lovely comment.
I agree; his best short stories can stop you in your tracks.
A master of the short story, but don't sell the novels short. I really liked "Fools of Fortune" & "Mrs. Eckdorf at O'Neill's Hotel". Plus, "Mrs Gomez & The Brethren" I feel is one of his best...Thank you for putting the video out!
I haven’t read those novels, but he did write some good novels.
I am looking to start so many thanks for your lucid introduction.
Thank you. I hope you love Trevor’s work.
I hadn’t heard of him but came across a stash of his books at an op-shop in Melbourne. Bought two and am enjoying ‘ A Bit on the Side’. The way the book is organised it took me a while to realise they are short stories- wondering why new characters were being added all the time!
Haha!
Trevor is a master short story writer. I hope you enjoy them.
I have to agree about the wonderfulness William Trevor even though I am not so keen on short stories as a rule.
Many of his novels --- The Silence in the Garden, Love and Summer, and Reading Turgenev -- read like in depth short stories to me.
Saving this for when I start reading Trevor. Thanks!
Fair enough. Thanks Alba
This is my favorite kind of video you make. I always learn so much. in this case I have not read any of his work so even more useful! Adding one or two of these to my list this year!
Thank you Brandon. That's very kind.
Been waiting for this! And I agree with everything you said - even about My House in Umbria! I think I just have 3 more story collections to go (I read one a year and stick to the original collections rather than the intimidatingly vast collected volume) and favourites have been Beyond the Pale, Lovers of their Time and After Rain - but they are all excellent. I would also highly recommend Silence in the Garden and Fools of Fortune to anyone who prefers novels. Trevor’s position as a Protestant in largely Catholic Ireland adds an interesting perspective to his work.
Thanks Ian. I just finished _Silence in the Garden_ and it was great. I will have to get a copy of _Fools of Fortune_. You have read a good bit more of Trevor than I! Trevor's Protestant background does give him a different perspective on Ireland, but I have always found him to be fairly generous in his portrayal of Catholics.
This was excellent. You’ve convinced me to try the novella from Two Lives.
Thank you Sonya. _Reading Turgenev_ is beautiful
Now this is an interesting series. Great idea
Thank you Justin
This was great (and I've never read Trevor, so practical!). 👍
Thank you Jen.
I just finished reading Natural History by Andrea Barrett (Ship Fever introduced me to and made me appreciate short stories). In her bio it said she's written in the style of Munro and Trevor, so here I am! Thank you for this video!
I have not read Andrea Barrett, but she has good taste in writers to model her writing on.
Thanks for watching
I was hoping you would do a "where not to start" on William Trevor. Based on past discussions of his writings you reviewed I purchased his collection of short stories even though I'm not a fan of short stories, and I read the first one "The Piano Tuner's Wife and thoroughly enjoyed it and in fact found myself thinking about it. I am giving it a few more days to sink in and then will be rereading it. So, thank you for this.
I am glad that you enjoyed "The Piano Tuner's Wife" and that you are going to continue on with Trevor. Thank you for the kind words.
Oh i am cheering inside as i listen…thank you…
Thank you.
It seems strange it took almost 20 years of submissions before the New Yorker starting taking his short stories. (A quiet word from his friend Vic Pritchett eased his way in.)
Felicia’s Journey was published in 1994 and the city is Birmingham. It was my first Trevor and remains my favourite, not least because a scene from the film was shot in my home town.
Thanks for the corrections on Felicia’s Journey.
The New Yorker has, I think, always had a preferred style and is slow to accept changes to that style. I’m glad they finally came to their senses in regard to Trevor.
Awesome, I have After Rain. But otherwise the name didn’t even click for me. Insightful and thoughtful as ever.
Thank you Fraser. I hope you will enjoy his writing when you get to it.
I adore Trevor's writing. The stories can be incredibly funny or incredibly sad.
I agree 100%
My library doesn't have The Collected Stories--is there an individual collection of stories you would recommend starting with?
_The News From Ireland_ is a good kind of mid career collection. I like all the later ones (not every story, but when taken as a whole):_Cheating At Canasta_ _After Rain_ and _Last Stories_.
@@BookishTexan Thanks! They have Last Stories and Cheating at Canasta so I'll pick one of those.
There is a penguin collected stories which is just amazing.
👍
I have the massive 1,200 page collected short stories. Do you have a favorite few?
I am only about a fourth of the way through it, though I have read one of the collections contained it it. I like "The Table" "The Ballroom of Romance" "The 47th Saturday", "The Day We Got Drunk on Cake" and "The News From Ireland"
@@BookishTexan my favourites: Flights Of Fancy, The Blue Dress, An Evening With John Joe Dempsey, The Hotel of the Idle Moon, A Choice Of Butchers.
"Torridge" is my personal favorite. He is a master at peeling the onion of secrets, layer by layer, until you are overwhelmed by a story's revelations. Ditto for "Teresa's Wedding" and "The Smoke Trees of San Pietro." His lyrical prose style conceals a lot of these secrets in a beautiful nuanced texture. When he's good, he's great, even better than Alice Munro because Trevor is capable of chameleonlike empathy. Negative capability par excellence... Trevor is eminently rereadable. Reader's bliss.