'Riddle and Other Stories' Summary

'Riddle and Other Stories' presents a diverse range of narratives that showcase de la Mare's distinctive writing style. Some stories, such as 'The Riddle' and 'The Old Nurse's Story,' delve into the darker aspects of childhood, exploring themes of fear, isolation, and the uncanny. Others, like 'The Three Mulla-Mulgars' and 'The Listeners,' offer a more whimsical and dreamlike experience, where ordinary objects and situations take on a magical quality. Throughout the collection, de la Mare masterfully employs vivid imagery and evocative language to transport the reader to worlds both familiar and fantastical. The stories are often infused with a sense of melancholy and longing, reflecting the bittersweet nature of childhood and the enduring power of memory.