Katherine Mansfield’s Life (Press, 6 December 1980)

Antony Alpers' biography "The Life of Katherine Mansfield," published in 1980, offers a comprehensive examination of the life of the acclaimed New Zealand author. Richard Corballis reviews this work and highlights its richness in detail and depth. Alpers' biography, which draws on an extensive array of primary sources including Mansfield's notebooks, letters, and testimonies from acquaintances, unveils significant aspects of her life that were previously unknown, particularly her tumultuous activities from 1908 to 1911. Alpers documents Mansfield's numerous relationships, both lesbian and heterosexual, including a short-lived marriage and encounters that led to blackmail. He uncovers details of a life filled with turmoil, including suspected abortions and a long undiagnosed case of gonorrhoea. Corballis notes that Mansfield's life was marked by constant relocation, with nearly 30 different postal addresses, highlighting her desire for change and reinvention. After meeting John Middleton Murry in 1911, Mansfield's life began to stabilise, though she maintained relationships with various individuals. Marriage in 1918 and Murry's influence situated Mansfield within literary circles like the Bloomsbury Group, broadening her literary reach. Alpers argues that the death of her brother Leslie during the war catalysed a significant shift in her creative output, allowing for more profound expression in her work. The relationship with D. H. Lawrence is portrayed as particularly intense and colourful but also detrimental to her creativity, resulting in a fallout after a brief period living as neighbours. Conversely, her engagement with Virginia Woolf, while less dramatic, proved significant in shaping their respective literary styles. Professor Alpers suggests that Katherine Mansfield significantly impacted Woolf's development as a writer, transitioning her narrative style to reflect the post-war experience. Despite her prolific contributions, Mansfield’s life cut short by tuberculosis at a young age left her final works incomplete, while Woolf continued to produce a body of mature literature. Alpers' biography not only aims to depict Mansfield's life but also offers insight into the evolution of literary movements of the time. His writing style is described as approachable and engaging, marked by a sense of warmth and understanding for his subjects' complexities. Corballis mentions that the biography features one unflattering reference to Christchurch, where Mansfield's dismal memory of the city reflects a broader narrative of her life spent seeking inspiration and connection across different locales. Overall, Alpers' work is positioned as a definitive source for understanding Katherine Mansfield and her impact on literary history, described by Corballis as profound and rewarding.

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