About Stories.

I like his short stories more, I mean not that I don't like his books, I just say they are more witty. Small form gives more accentuated construction. Of course they are different but many of them have Idea and this idea is shown splendidly. What do I like in his short stories besides their wisdom is the composition and composition not for its own sake but for the idea.

He always get you unexpectedly. And even when you already see his general plot it doesn't loose its sense and keeps you to the end.

I very like his unexpected finals - At Geisenheimers is just good example of it, (or a bit of luck for Mabel).

I had real difficulties translating the Title of the story Ruth in Exile. I see in it double sense: 1) Girl alone on the "holiday of life", and second - "without prudishness".

What do I like in them he never makes ruse just for filling place - he is always witty. It's pity I file all my quotes without separation but he has many "classic" expressions which you can hang on the posters.

Talking about Ruth in Exile - I like the story I like it for "model of behavior" And it's very important for me. It gives you idea about imitation and I don't see any harm in it.

Why do I like Something to worry about? This is very healthy story. People, girl, guy, - they are very healthy. Girl is really prankish and chap is a real man. I say we not often see such men as the fellow. Plot is sufficiently transparent you have the idea about their steps but all the way the grip you. Also I am sure there is a good psychology of many characters, other people aren't a mere background - they have real and bright types. And of course "Cinema"-shred made splendidly. It just makes girls character complete.

At Geisenheimers - without has real dramatism. Plum usually escapes blunt drama but the story is very close to it. And it has real tension in physical and psychological way. I have no intention to dig deeply but I only say the story could seem as flat but I like it and it's smart, (as matter of fact very smart). Hm, I am glad that I was lucky with not bad translation of the versus in the beginning of the story.

Man, Maid and Miasma - it is a story! There is everything - romance and action, funny boy-pestilence, captivity, ordeals. Hm, it has romance and it has sort of action. It's like atmosphere. As if you are there too. And conventionality about the fact that only the boy has got the idea about telephone is not a jarring one. You adopt it easily. And mind you, everyone of them had a serious shock after their mutual meeting. So there are many clever ideas about sex and human behavior in deadlocks, so the boon with boy character is a good one. I say I don't like the Miasma and I don't want to be like him. In his books such Miasma were as a rule Aunts and here it was a boy who read too much.

Out of school - very prankish story. It's a fave idea of Plum and he told about it in many books about kissing pretty girls. Only in books it was all predestined and there it is in some promiscuous way. It reminded me at once "Charlie's Aunt" by Brandon Thomas, (the story had a great acclaim in Russia as "Hello, I'm your aunt!"). The plot is not very intricate one but you just feel the breeze of that crisp morning! As for me I like any autobiographic stories. Of course Plum said that every good author can write not only about himself, (at least not in direct way). But when young author writes about young author it's always very interesting. So it's a very up-to-date story, talking about young fellas going abroad to learn languages, (everyone in Russia mad about it). But of course Uncles definition about "Young Men Who Ought To Be Out Earning Their Livings Instead Of Idling At Home" will be actual forever. So I just append the theme "Errare humanum est", i.e. man is apt to sin, -always was my fave one. So with authors euphoria - I'm sure there is a great field for many philosophical essays. The trick with speech in trial is also a good trick.

Sir Agravaine - Cool! and with perfect taste! Everyone of us at least one fall under fascination of medieval fables. Why besides it why do I so like the story? Because it is truly. It's not a parody not a grotesque - this is gospel truth. Many authors I like and respect wrote similar stories, Jerome in his Paul Kelver, (and probably in They and I), mentions that dragon story was his first literature experience, and there is opinion that Once Upon a Time is the best Milne's book, (I like it greatly). So we say there is the tradition. ;-). But what do I like in the story else? It's my style - I would write, (if I could ;-)), it just in the same manner. With the girl who appeal "I crave for rescue!", with eternally brooding Sir Good Knight. And the theme of Damsel in Distress is a classic one for Plum. Talking about the person of Sad Knight is always very interesting to glance at "Knight of Sorrow Image" from another angle. All the way, the Quixotic motif was very interesting for me. And he doesn't give you disillusionment. You waited from medieval story mystery, darkness and murders - the story has it all and even two dead bodies. Talking about tricks - the comparison of Wise Men and their bills - just right thing in right spot.

Three from Dansterville - pro-"At Geisenheimers" story. Story about big city and this time the city is personalized. It's a conjurer. Good theme, good plot corners. I want to say there is different meaning in Russian "you", we have two different words for single "you" and plural form. And in many stories I used different words in the beginning and in the ending. It was wit many stories when people stop to use Mr and Sir and turn their glance to simple Jack and Mary. In that story was interesting problem from one side they were acquainted and from one place from other she always wanted to keep distance and she was just humble employee. So in my translation is sounds very funny when shy guy says "Hey Mary", and she answers "Yes, Sir". But of course there is a crucial point where all the norms are swept away and "old good times" again with us.

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Talking about Deep Waters – it’s also was interesting to translate. When they met each other in water, of course they talk as friends, (you can’t say to anybody “Sir” if he is drowning). But then on the shore they are again civil enough. After first swimming lesson they already on short terms, (at least I translate so). But when she discovers the fraud she becomes a stranger to him, (least in manners).

Talking about The Man Upstairs and Other Stories – he taps but she is very polite, then they are chums, but when she’s got to know that he is a millionaire – of course she feels towards him some awe and handle him as a stranger. (But you know not “reverent awe” but just subconscious “common sense” attitude in strong blend with her ready-to-fight character).

That is why the stories so interesting – you can find the wrestle between different attitudes “good unlucky fellow – bad charitable millionaire”, “poor swimmer and nervy author– pothunter and pushful show-businessman ”.