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Reading Walter De La Mare: Exploring the Enchanted Realms of a Literary Master

Dylan Mitchell

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In the realm of literature, few wordsmiths have captured the essence of the human imagination as vividly and profoundly as Walter De La Mare. His literary creations, spanning poetry, short stories, and novels, are a testament to his boundless imagination and his ability to weave enchanting worlds that resonate deep within the reader's psyche.

Reading Walter de la Mare

by Walter de la Mare

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2350 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	248 pages

A Master of Verse

De La Mare's poetic voice is a symphony of imagination and introspection. His poems, often steeped in folklore and the supernatural, explore the hidden depths of human experience, from the joys of childhood to the haunting shadows of loss and mortality. In "The Listeners," one of his most celebrated works, he paints a haunting picture of a traveler seeking shelter in an abandoned house, only to be met by the ghostly echoes of those who once dwelled there:

"Is there anybody there?" said the Traveller, Knocking on the moonlit door; And his horse in the silence champed the grasses Of the forest's ferny floor.

And a voice answered, low and reedy, From a twilit window's ledge: "The graves are full, and the moon is steady, And the dead do not come home to bed."

Through haunting imagery and evocative language, De La Mare's poems evoke a sense of wonder, mystery, and the ephemeral nature of existence.

A Journey into the Supernatural

Beyond his poetic prowess, De La Mare was a master of short stories, particularly those delving into the realm of the supernatural and the uncanny. In his collection "The Wind Blows Over," he weaves tales of ghostly encounters, haunted landscapes, and the chilling presence of the unseen. His stories often explore the fragile boundary between reality and the supernatural, leaving readers questioning the nature of their own perceptions.

In "The Almond Tree," one of his most chilling stories, De La Mare tells the tale of a young woman haunted by memories of a tragic event. As she seeks solace in the countryside, she encounters a mysterious almond tree that seems to possess a sinister connection to her past:

"She stood at last before the almond-tree, and strange to say, as she looked up into it, the blossoms seemed to shiver and stir, as if they were aware of her presence. A sense of fear crept over her and she turned to go; but as she turned, one of the blossoms fell upon her face, and when she put up her hand to take it away, it felt like a living thing, a tiny living hand, that clung to her cheek."

De La Mare's supernatural tales are not merely exercises in horror but rather explorations of the human psyche and the unfathomable mysteries that lie just beyond our grasp.

A Timeless Literary Legacy

Throughout his literary career, Walter De La Mare created a vast and diverse body of work that continues to captivate readers of all ages. His novels, such as "Memoirs of a Midget" and "The Three Mulla-Mulgars," are whimsical and imaginative, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.

De La Mare's writing has had a profound impact on the literary landscape, inspiring generations of writers and readers alike. His ability to capture the essence of childhood innocence, the haunting presence of the supernatural, and the enduring power of the imagination has established him as a true master of the written word.

If you have yet to embark on the literary journey that is Walter De La Mare, I highly recommend exploring his enchanting worlds. His works offer a timeless escape into realms of imagination, where the boundaries of reality dissolve and the magic of storytelling reigns supreme.

In the words of De La Mare himself:

"There are no mountains insurmountable to those who will climb; and no seas too deep for those who have the heart to sail them."

Reading Walter de la Mare

by Walter de la Mare

4.9 out of 5