Description
THE DEATH OF FELICITY TAVERNER
Book Summary
A rediscovered masterpiece of English literary modernism. Mary Butts weaves a psychological and atmospheric novel in which the death of a woman in a small coastal town triggers a profound exploration of memory, desire, and the fragility of appearances. Through lyrical and precise prose, the author immerses the reader in a world of hidden tensions and contained emotions, offering an intense and moving reading experience for those seeking high-quality classical narrative with psychological depth.
What is it about?
The novel centers on the impact caused by the sudden death of Felicity Taverner, an enigmatic and charismatic woman, within the coastal community where she resided. As the characters who knew her piece together the fragments of her life, a complex and contradictory portrait emerges of a woman trapped between social conventions and her own desires. The narrative moves through multiple perspectives, unveiling secrets, grudges, and passions that lay hidden beneath the surface of an apparently tranquil existence. Butts explores how Felicity's absence forces each character to confront their own truths, turning the investigation of her death into an introspective journey about identity, love, and loss.
Main Themes
- Memory and the reconstruction of the past: how the memories of others shape and distort a deceased person's identity.
- The conflict between individual desire and the social restrictions of interwar England.
- The fragility of appearances and hypocrisy in human relationships within a closed community.
- The exploration of the female psyche and the search for autonomy in an oppressive context.
- The nature of grief and the way death transforms the living.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is recommended for readers passionate about classical fiction and modernist literature, especially those interested in rediscovered 20th-century female authors. It is also ideal for those who enjoy psychological novels with a dense atmosphere, deep characters, and plots that prioritize introspection over action. It is a perfect read for fans of Virginia Woolf, Katherine Mansfield, or Jean Rhys, and for any lover of narrative who values polished prose and emotional complexity.
What this book offers
- A unique opportunity to discover a fundamental author of English modernism, rescued from oblivion.
- An immersion into lyrical and evocative prose that combines psychological sensitivity with keen social observation.
- A story that invites reflection on identity, desire, and the masks we all wear.
- A lucid and powerful female perspective on power dynamics and emotions in early 20th-century society.
- A carefully crafted edition that is part of a benchmark literary collection.
Technical Specifications
- Author: BUTTS, MARY
- Publisher: HERMIDA EDITORES, S.L
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION, CLASSICAL FICTION
- Collection: EL JARDIN DE EPICURO
- Publication Date: May 2023
- Number of pages: 242
- Weight: 441 g
Editorial Review
The Death of Felicity Taverner represents one of the most significant literary revivals of recent years. Mary Butts, a key figure in British modernism, offers here a novel of extraordinary maturity and sensitivity. Her ability to create atmospheres charged with tension and to dissect human emotions with sharp, poetic prose makes this an essential read for lovers of fine literature. This edition, published in the prestigious El Jardín de Epicuro collection, provides access to a work that deserves a prominent place in the libraries of discerning readers, hungry for classical narrative with depth and formal beauty.