Published at the height of literary modernism, 'The Garden Party' is now considered one of the key texts of that movement. This volume, which also includes all of Mansfield's other published short stories, is an invaluable resource for anyone wishing to discover one of the early twentieth century's finest writers. When her wealthy family prepares to host a lavish summer party, the young, hitherto sheltered Laura Sheridan suddenly feels a kinship with the staff and the helpers hired to set up the venue for the festivities. As she learns of the death of one of their working-class neighbours, this burgeoning sense of class consciousness is heightened by a realization of her own mortality.