Golly! That’s how you write a short story. Although I’ve heard of ‘Q’, to the best of my knowledge I’ve not read any of his work until today. Thank you, Victoria, for the overdue introduction.😊
"And at the back of it, as the woman had said, in street and side-lane and blind-alley, I heard the footfall of a multitude more terrible than an army with banners, the ceaseless pelting feet of children—of Whittingtons turning and turning again." Powerful stuff!
I've owned since the age of 18 and read (and re-read) many times since, his Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250–1900. It was an expensive hardcover volume when I bought it, the best book purchase I've ever made.
And I wish to know what happens to the young boy. It can feel that the many poor of that (any) time are faceless masses, but each of them here are revealed.
Excellent. I wonder who Arthur Quiller-Couch was every time I go up the back stairs of the Old Divinity School In Cambridge, where there’s the Arthur Quiller-Couch Room, but I’ve never bothered to find out. I assumed he was some former professor of divinity or great benefactor. Now I know he wrote wonderful short stories like this I feel much more inclined to find out.
This is so vivid. I’m not sure I breathed in the time it took me to read, yet there is so much said in so few words. Thank you for introducing me to a new writer
Golly! That’s how you write a short story. Although I’ve heard of ‘Q’, to the best of my knowledge I’ve not read any of his work until today. Thank you, Victoria, for the overdue introduction.😊
You’re very welcome, Rod. I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊
"And at the back of it, as the woman had said, in street and side-lane and blind-alley, I heard the footfall of a multitude more terrible than an army with banners, the ceaseless pelting feet of children—of Whittingtons turning and turning again." Powerful stuff!
Q would have been familiar with Marvell's lines:
" But at my back I always hear
Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity."
I feel there's an echo of them here.
Thank you, Jeffrey. A very short piece, but yes, very powerful!
Wonderful story - a master class in sketching believable characters using broad strokes.
Thank you for reading, Vicki. I’m glad you enjoyed it! :)
Interesting. Funnily enough, the only thing I'd read of his until now was his advice to "murder your darlings"!
I've owned since the age of 18 and read (and re-read) many times since, his Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250–1900. It was an expensive hardcover volume when I bought it, the best book purchase I've ever made.
That sounds lovely! Thank you for commenting, Richard ✨
And I wish to know what happens to the young boy. It can feel that the many poor of that (any) time are faceless masses, but each of them here are revealed.
Excellent. I wonder who Arthur Quiller-Couch was every time I go up the back stairs of the Old Divinity School In Cambridge, where there’s the Arthur Quiller-Couch Room, but I’ve never bothered to find out. I assumed he was some former professor of divinity or great benefactor. Now I know he wrote wonderful short stories like this I feel much more inclined to find out.
That’s wonderful, Tony. I hope you enjoy your research… :)
So much in a short space of writing. Excellent! 👏
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Ivonne :)
This is so vivid. I’m not sure I breathed in the time it took me to read, yet there is so much said in so few words. Thank you for introducing me to a new writer
You’re very welcome, Jaimie :)
I love his name as much as his writing!
It’s marvellous, isn’t it! :)
Very nice