(The Unromantic Princess)
“Without their indistinctness things do not exist; you cannot desire them. Blurs and important wrong shapes, ridgy lights, crater darkness making a face unhuman as a map of the moon,…”
— Elizabeth Bowen (The House in Paris)
My previous reviews of general older, classic books: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/reviews-of-older-books/ — particularly the multi-reviews of William Trevor, Robert Aickman, Katherine Mansfield and Vladimir Nabokov.
THE R.B. RUSSELL BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT AICKMAN (plus my concomitant comments regarding Bowen)
***
My gestalt real-time reviews of Elizabeth Bowen’s 108 stories and 10 novels (reviewed chapter by chapter) are separately linked on this page, with the stories shown below in alphabetical order.
[I originally reviewed the stories in the connective order starting HERE.]
ALL SAINTS: https://conezero.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-10/#comment-533
ANN LEE’S: https://cernzoo.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowens-stories-11/#comment-375
THE APPLE TREE: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/05/the-collected-stories-of-elizabeth-bowen/#comment-23178
ATTRACTIVE MODERN HOMES: https://nullimmortalis2010.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-12/#comment-760
AUNT TATTY: https://conezero.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-10/#comment-531
THE BACK DRAWING-ROOM: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/05/the-collected-stories-of-elizabeth-bowen/#comment-23169
THE BAZAAR: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/24/my-huge-review-of-elizabeth-bowen-stories-19/#comment-23476
BREAKFAST: https://expenscusil.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-18/#comment-571
BRIGANDS: https://classicalhorror.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-7/#comment-752
CANDLES IN THE WINDOW: https://nemonymousnight.wordpress.com/849-2/#comment-795
CARELESS TALK: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1324
THE CASSOWARY: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2021/11/02/the-cassowary-by-elizabeth-bowen/#comment-1355
THE CAT JUMPS: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/05/the-collected-stories-of-elizabeth-bowen/#comment-23177
CHARITY: https://conezero.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-10/#comment-535
THE CHEERY SOUL: https://weirdmonger.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowens-stories-16/#comment-473
CHRISTMAS GAMES: https://nemonymousnight.wordpress.com/849-2/#comment-792
THE CLAIMANT: https://weirdtongue.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-15/#comment-333
COMFORT AND JOY: https://conezero.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-10/#comment-527
COMING HOME: https://nullimmortalis.wordpress.com/25604-2/#comment-15527
THE CONFIDANTE: https://horroranthology.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-13/#comment-1375
THE CONTESSINA: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1331
THE DANCING MISTRESS: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/12/the-rucked-top-of-a-hyacinth-dress/
A DAY IN THE DARK: https://etepsed.wordpress.com/1004-2/#comment-2369
DEAD MABELLE: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/10/zenos-halfway-to-paradox-if-not-paradise/
THE DEMON LOVER: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/05/the-collected-stories-of-elizabeth-bowen/#comment-23142
THE DISINHERITED: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/25/and-a-chandelier-that-hung-in-a-bag-like-a-cheese/
THE DOLT’S TALE: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1332
THE EASTER EGG PARTY: https://howivi.wordpress.com/341-2/#comment-460
EMERGENCY IN THE GOTHIC WING: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/20/the-overture-to-the-worst/
THE EVIL THAT MEN DO — : https://etepsed.wordpress.com/1004-2/#comment-2373
FAIRIES AT THE CHRISTENING: https://etepsed.wordpress.com/1004-2/#comment-2368
FIRELIGHT IN THE FLAT: https://admtoah.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-14/comment-page-1/#comment-349
FLOWERS WILL DO: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/14/some-nonsense-about-clark-gable/
FOOTHOLD: https://nemonymousnight.wordpress.com/849-2/#comment-786
GHOST STORY: https://nullimmortalis.wordpress.com/25604-2/#comment-15530
THE GIRL WITH THE STOOP: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/04/the-smile-of-november/
GONE AWAY: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2021/11/17/gone-away-by-elizabeth-bowen/
THE GOOD EARL: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/22/a-sail-of-smoke/
THE GOOD GIRL: https://nemonymous123456.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-8/#comment-777
THE GOOD TIGER: https://nullimmortalis.wordpress.com/25604-2/#comment-15536
GREEN HOLLY: https://etepsed.wordpress.com/1004-2/#comment-2363
HAND IN GLOVE: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/05/the-collected-stories-of-elizabeth-bowen/#comment-23136
THE HAPPY AUTUMN FIELDS: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/29/fuming-cataracts-and-null-eternal-snows/
HER TABLE SPREAD: https://expenscusil.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-18/#comment-574
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: https://dflcollaborations.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-17/#comment-422
HUMAN HABITATION: https://nemonymous123456.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-8/
I DIED OF LOVE: https://nullimmortalis2010.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-12/#comment-754
I HEAR YOU SAY SO: https://howivi.wordpress.com/341-2/comment-page-1/#comment-455
THE INHERITED CLOCK: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/08/lungfuls-of-horror/
IN THE SQUARE: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1329
IVY GRIPPED THE STEPS: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/05/the-collected-stories-of-elizabeth-bowen/#comment-23185
JOINING CHARLES: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/06/the-frightened-taxi/
THE JUNGLE: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2021/10/30/the-jungle-by-elizabeth-bowen/
‘JUST IMAGINE . . . ‘: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/24/hells-elbow/
THE LAST BUS: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/28/the-planet-at-the-last-bus-stop/
THE LAST NIGHT IN THE OLD HOME: https://howivi.wordpress.com/341-2/#comment-456
THE LITTLE GIRL’S ROOM: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/26/she-was-in-fact-for-herself-a-most-unfriendly-playmate-for-she-was-treacherous/
LOOK AT ALL THOSE ROSES: https://admtoah.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-14/#comment-346
THE LOST HOPE: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/16/the-unwilling-draft/
THE LOVER: https://dflcollaborations.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-17/#comment-427
A LOVE STORY 1939: https://nullimmortalis2010.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-12/#comment-757
LUNCH: https://etepsed.wordpress.com/1004-2/#comment-2377
MAKING ARRANGEMENTS: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/18/red-dress-dead-dress/
THE MAN AND THE BOY: https://zencore2007.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-9/#comment-680
THE MAN OF THE FAMILY: https://nullimmortalis2010.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-12/#comment-749
MARIA: https://etepsed.wordpress.com/1004-2/#comment-2379
MISS JOLLEY HAS NO PLANS FOR THE FUTURE: https://nemonymousnight.wordpress.com/849-2/#comment-793
MOSES: https://zencore2007.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-9/#comment-674
MRS MOYSEY: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/22/children-in-a-coloured-earthquake-city/
MRS WINDERMERE: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/24/my-huge-review-of-elizabeth-bowen-stories-19/#comment-23473
MYSTERIOUS KÔR: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/10/08/moon-city/
THE NEEDLECASE: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/20/no-doubt-she-sews-like-hell/
THE NEW HOUSE: https://weirdtongue.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-15/#comment-326
NO. 16: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1345
OH, MADAM: https://horroranthology.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-13/#comment-1371
THE PINK BISCUIT: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/24/my-huge-review-of-elizabeth-bowen-stories-19/#comment-23477
PINK MAY: https://dflcollaborations.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-17/#comment-424
A QUEER HEART: https://nemonymous123456.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-8/#comment-778
RECENT PHOTOGRAPH: https://howivi.wordpress.com/341-2/#comment-465
REDUCED: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1337
REQUIESCAT: https://admtoah.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-14/comment-page-1/#comment-351
THE RETURN: https://etepsed.wordpress.com/1004-2/#comment-2371
SALON DES DAMES: https://nemonymous123456.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-8/#comment-776
THE SECESSION: https://cernzoo.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowens-stories-11/#comment-376
THE SHADOWY THIRD: https://weirdmonger.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowens-stories-16/#comment-476
SHE GAVE HIM: https://horroranthology.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-13/#comment-1378
SHOES: AN INTERNATIONAL EPISODE: https://expenscusil.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-18/#comment-577
SO MUCH DEPENDS: https://weirdmonger.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowens-stories-16/#comment-474
SONGS MY FATHER SANG ME: https://nullimmortalis.wordpress.com/25604-2/#comment-15526
THE STORM: https://dflcollaborations.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-17/#comment-425
STORY SCENE: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1328
SUMMER NIGHT: https://nullimmortalis.wordpress.com/25604-2/#comment-15531
SUNDAY AFTERNOON: https://weirdmonger.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowens-stories-16/#comment-471
SUNDAY EVENING: https://zencore2007.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-9/#comment-677
TEARS, IDLE TEARS: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1340
TELLING: https://cernzoo.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowens-stories-11/#comment-379
THE TOMMY CRANS: https://conezero.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-10/#comment-525
THE UNROMANTIC PRINCESS: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/my-huge-bowen-story-review-2/#comment-1342
UNWELCOME IDEA: https://classicalhorror.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-7/#comment-744
THE VISITOR: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2021/11/08/could-a-world-hold-death-that-held-that-tea-cosy/
A WALK IN THE WOODS: https://nullimmortalis.wordpress.com/25604-2/#comment-15525
WOMEN IN LOVE: https://zencore2007.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-9/#comment-676
THE WORKING PARTY: https://admtoah.wordpress.com/elizabeth-bowen-stories-14/comment-page-1/#comment-347r
***
THE NOVELS REVIEWED:
THE HOTEL: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2021/11/27/the-hotel/
EVA TROUT: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2021/12/01/eva-trout-by-elizabeth-bowen/
THE DEATH OF THE HEART: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2021/12/10/the-death-of-the-heart-by-elizabeth-bowen/
TO THE NORTH: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2021/12/17/to-the-north-by-elizabeth-bowen/
THE HEAT OF THE DAY: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2021/12/30/the-heat-of-the-day-elizabeth-bowen/
A WORLD OF LOVE: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2022/01/04/a-world-of-love-by-elizabeth-bowen/
THE HOUSE IN PARIS: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2022/01/15/the-house-in-paris-by-elizabeth-bowen/
THE LAST SEPTEMBER: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2022/02/02/the-last-september-by-elizabeth-bowen/
FRIENDS AND RELATIONS: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2022/02/25/friends-and-relations-by-elizabeth-bowen/
THE LITTLE GIRLS: https://elizabethbowensite.wordpress.com/2022/03/16/the-little-girls-by-elizabeth-bowen/
My short summary of the findings deriving from all the reviews above: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2022/03/23/34099/
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PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/2022/03/10/people-places-things-elizabeth-bowen/
===
“She bowed her head, acceptingly, then folded her arms, consoling the elbows.”
A description of Iseult, but tellingly by Bowen in her final novel.
MORE INFORMTION IN COMMENTS BELOW…
The Des Lewis Gestalt Real-Time Reviews of Books 
…. as rough contemporaries, Bowen and Aickman were great mutual literary spirit influences as synergy upon and from each other, but without letting the literary world know. Or the literary world has kept wartime secrets about it, by not mixing apparent horror genre with literature? Till now.
From my review of Green Holly
https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/31260-2/. Robert Aickman
Elizabeth Bowen’s own triangulating signal—
My synergising today of Aickman and Bowen
“Mists still filled the valley; the tulips stood up asleep. Something caught at her heart as they started, though she told herself she was leaving nothing behind.” – Elizabeth Bowen – To The North 1932
“Nothing *was* left behind.”
Elizabeth Bowen – Candles In The Window 1958
Quotes from Elizabeth Bowen’s premonitory essay: AUTUMN IN BRITAIN…
“The pity you spare for neighbours is terse, active, economic and gaunt. One thing absorbs us – anger.”
“But virtually, there are no strangers now.”
“The Etonian voice hasn’t said what we had to hear . . . Meanwhile, we walk the streets shabby.”
“It is true that what we see, from day to day, acts as a leveller. All destructions make the same grey mess; rich homes, poor homes, the big store, the one-man shop make the same slipping rubble;”
“It is this stir of big power in little people, the wide-awake look in the eyes, the nerve in the step, that makes this autumn in Britain a sort of spring.”
.