Walter de la Mare is best known for his spooky poems, but in 1921, he wrote this quiet masterpiece of a novel. It’s presented as the discovered journal of a woman known only as Miss M., and from the first page, you’re in her unique headspace.

The Story

After her father’s death, Miss M. leaves her sheltered country life and goes to live with a wealthy, imposing woman named Mrs. Bowater. Here, she’s treated as both a delicate doll and a fascinating oddity. She navigates a world of giant furniture, condescending kindness, and open stares. The plot isn’t driven by huge events, but by her relationships: her complicated friendship with her landlady’s daughter, Fanny; her awe for a glamorous circus performer named Mrs. Monnerie; and her deep, spiritual connection with a fellow outsider, the hunchbacked Mr. Anon. The tension comes from watching this incredibly intelligent and sensitive person constantly bump up against the limits others place on her.

Why You Should Read It

This book got under my skin. Miss M. is one of the most compelling narrators I’ve ever met. She’s not pitiful; she’s witty, observant, and often painfully honest. De la Mare uses her physical perspective to make us see the familiar world in a new way—a dinner table becomes a landscape, a flight of stairs a mountain. But more than that, he makes us feel the emotional distance her size creates. The book asks big questions: What does it mean to be human? How do we connect when we’re so different? It’s a profound look at isolation, but it’s also filled with moments of startling beauty and dry humor.

Final Verdict

This is a book for patient readers and character lovers. If you need fast-paced action, look elsewhere. But if you love getting inside a unique mind and seeing the world turned upside down, this is for you. It’s perfect for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, for fans of thoughtful, atmospheric classics like ‘The Remains of the Day,’ or for readers who just want to experience a story they won’t find anywhere else. It’s a hidden gem that stays with you long after the last page.