I really enjoyed the book, and while some of the stories appeared a little dull at first glance, I adored Mansfield's style of realism in which she ever-so-slightly alters her characters' realities as she tackles social class, gender roles, death, and loneliness. They're incredibly touching stories with a gloomy tone to them. They're a touch melancholy, much like life most of the time, and it may seem strange that I appreciated that aspect of the stories, but I did. At first, the writing appears straightforward, but it is rich in symbolism and imagery. There's a lot concealed beneath the banal surface, which makes the anthology strangely rewarding to read. Even though I was reading the collection for enjoyment, I felt like I was being urged to analyze Mansfield's stories, and I adore how open the pieces are to reader interpretation.