The New Yorker, February 15, 1958 P. 31
A window-cleaner finds a pearl necklace and turns it over to the police. He recalls his actions on the day that it was found, and also how he met his wife, Nell. He remembers her incessant reference to her well-to-do- Aunt Mary throughout their courtship. Later she admitted that Aunt Mary died the previous year. Also apparent is Nell's hatred of liars, of which she constantly reminds her husband. After questioning each one separately, the police bring them together. Nell claims that the necklace was hers, and not found by her husband. Further investigation revealed that she had stolen jewelry previously, and credited her Aunt Mary, who never really existed, with having given it to her. Nell was sentenced to three months in prison.
Quite an odd little story. DeMaupassant's story THE NECKLACE is an influence. The story is read by Paul Theroux on THE NEW YORKER website.
This does sound like an interesting and unusual sort of story, Patti. As I read your post, I started wondering what exactly is real and what isn't in the story - fascinating.
ReplyDeleteV.S. Pritchett was a great short story writer. His Collected Stories (which is far from complete) and other books are well worth looking for as is his criticism.
ReplyDeleteOnce I had a copy of it and read him regularly. He reviewed books weekly to support himself.
DeleteFor newspapers? Shall Go Look.
DeleteI read and enjoyed Inspector Colbeck's Casebook by Edward Marston. Currently reading Bruno's Challenge by Martin Walker, a book that makes your mouth water over the recipes in some of the stories.
ReplyDeleteI think I only read Walker's first Bruno book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with James: Pritchett was a great short story writer. I'm a fan of his criticism, too.
ReplyDeleteOnce again my computer was attacked by spam but my computer guys managed to fix it for me. If I have a chance, I'll post a Short Story Wednesday on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteThis is a strange story. I will have track down some of his stories.
ReplyDeleteIt was a strange story. I read his stories regularly years ago but don't remember them being as odd as this one.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, here's this for those who might be interested: https://litmagnews.substack.com/p/who-reads-lit-mags-spotlight-on-joyland ----Who Reads Lit Mags? Spotlight on _Joyland_; _Short Story, Long_; _Does It Have Pockets?_; and _Mag Gently_
ReplyDelete