A perceptive new evaluation of Katherine Mansfield. Reveals her as an original and highly subversive writer preoccupied with issues like sexuality and the irrationality of the human mind. Offers original interpretations of many stories, and deals with others not discussed before: one, a fantasy of sibling rape, is reproduced in an Appendix. Also reassesses Mansfield's contribution to literary Modernism. An invaluable companion to the stories: for both student and committed scholar.