As the 3 stars of gd say: liked it.

Perhaps, if there were 3.5, I would give it another half, because I think these stories had something to say, at least some of them.
I liked the intense literary and philosophical element they contained - the search for the truth of God and the wandering, as a concept, on seas and fields, had intense audiovisual images, and a pleasant element of a fairy tale to hover over all the stories.
It reminded me that it had taken a Andersen prize, gave it the Scandinavian breath, its seafaring, its nautical and its wanderlust as the center of Europe, and as a descendant of Vikings.
Generally speaking, it took us on a journey, as they say.

What I didn't like was that some stories I felt didn't take me anywhere.
And what I really didn't like at all was the bad translation and the lack of any care with the thousands of spelling mistakes and some grammar mistakes that didn't let me enjoy the stories of Blixen.
And so, overall the book seemed to me a bit "less".

I liked the first story more, with the nautical boy, it was very fairy-tale like and blue from all the sea and the melancholy mood of the expatriates.

I would read Blixen again, and actually as soon as I got the order from the Arsenal with "Beyond Africa" - which I found for 2.80E like this? Since I quit smoking, I buy books instead of packs of cigarettes as a gift <3

-------------
"Those who travel for entertainment when the sea is calm and smiling and then say that they love it have no idea what they are going to say about love. Only the sailors who have suffered at sea and cursed it and thrived are the real lovers of it."

She was an outstanding story writer. Among her short stories, Sorrow Acre was my absolute favorite.

For instance, take a look at the first paragraph. It reads: "The low, undulating Danish landscape was silent and serene, mysteriously wide-awake in the hour before sunrise. There was not a cloud in the pale sky, not a shadow along the dim, pearly fields, hills and woods. The Mist was lilting from the valleys and hollows, the air was cool, the grass and the foliage dripping wet with morning-dew. Unwatched by the eyes of man, and undisturbed by his activity, the country breathed a timeless life, to which language was inadequate."

There are a total of ten short stories in her collection, all of which are exquisitely written and so endearing that they will remain in your memory for years to come.

In 1931, Karen Blixen started writing under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen. Her book, Seven Gothic Tales, was her debut work and achieved great literary success. It was widely acclaimed for its unique style and captivating storytelling, establishing her as a prominent figure in the literary world.

This is yet another book that has been residing on my Kindle for quite some time, and I can't recall the reason why I downloaded it. Perhaps it was because the title gave the impression that it might be appropriate to read now that the long nights have arrived for those of us dwelling in the northern latitudes. It is a compilation of 11 short stories, the majority of which are set in the 19th century or earlier. I have never before read anything by Karen Blixen, and I believe this collection is regarded as a relatively minor part of her body of work. In terms of her writing style, I was impressed by her extremely elaborate descriptions.

The first story, "The Sailor Boy’s Tale," turned out to have numerous fantastical elements and resembled an ancient myth. That was fine by me. I am known to read ancient myths, although I probably prefer them when they are truly ancient. I really savored the next entry, "The Young Man with the Carnation," in which a young man's destiny hinges on a misunderstanding. However, I was left confused by the third story, "The Pearls." I simply could not fathom the motivation and behaviors of the main character. I related only slightly better to the next one, "The Invincible Slave Owners."

I liked "The Heroine," a thought-provoking piece set during the Franco-German War of 1870 - 71, which reminded me a great deal of Maupassant's stories set during that conflict. An English student finds himself embroiled with a group of French people accused of spying by the German military, and the actions of the eponymous heroine will determine their fate. The GR blurb indicates that this book was published in 1942, during the time when Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. It seems quite evident that "The Heroine" was really a story about Denmark in 1942. I also wondered if this was partly the case with "Sorrow-Acre," a story set in the 18th century and centered around the treatment of a peasant family by a local nobleman. In my view, this is the finest story in the collection.

Most of the stories in the second half of the collection deal with family relationships. Both "The Dreaming Child" and "Alkmene" feature children who are adopted into middle-class families. Both children seem detached, even otherworldly, and to some extent, this is also true of the characters (and not just the title characters) in "Peter and Rosa," a tale about two teenagers who live in the same house. Rosa is the biological daughter of a local parson. Peter is described as Rosa's cousin, but there is also a hint that he was actually a foundling.

A number of the stories contained various pseudo-philosophical meanderings, and this was particularly noticeable in both "The Fish" and in "A Consolatory Tale." Neither of them did much for me. "The Fish," set in medieval Denmark, was yet another story with magical/folkloric elements.

I can understand why people might adore this collection, but I was puzzled by many of the stories and found that I couldn't relate to most of them.

Isak Dinesen was one of the pen names of Karen Blixen. She is widely renowned as the author of the autobiographical Out of Africa, which was, of course, adapted into the classic movie of the same name, starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. This short story collection, however, is very different.

The writing in these stories is truly exquisite. The tales are a unique blend of the fantastical and the grounded. I have virtually no knowledge about Denmark, but the descriptions provided are so vivid that I almost feel as if I have been there, witnessing the country with my own eyes. It is extremely difficult to single out a favorite story, as there were none that I did not enjoy. If I were pressured to choose, I think I would have to pick Sorrow-acre and Peter and Rosa, both of which had rather sad endings.

I will most definitely be on the lookout for more of her works. Her writing has a certain charm and allure that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. I can't wait to explore the other worlds she has created through her words.

Melancholy but Mesmerizing

Melancholy is often seen as a negative emotion, yet it has a certain allure that can be truly mesmerizing. There is something captivating about the way it tugs at our hearts and makes us reflect on the deeper aspects of life. It has the power to bring out a sense of vulnerability and authenticity within us.

When we experience melancholy, it's as if we enter a different realm, a place where emotions run deep and thoughts flow freely. It can inspire creativity, as artists, writers, and musicians often draw inspiration from their melancholic states. The beauty of melancholy lies in its ability to make us feel truly alive, to make us appreciate the bittersweet moments that life has to offer.

Despite its sadness, melancholy has a charm that keeps us coming back for more. It's a feeling that we can't quite put into words, but one that we know all too well. It's a part of the human experience, and it's something that we should embrace and explore. Because in the midst of our melancholy, we may just discover a side of ourselves that we never knew existed.

It really seems as if it were invented for a winter evening. I can almost see it: the biting cold on the Danish plains, the cows huddling together to gain some warmth. However, the window of the manor house is shining, and we hear a shout:

- Children! Come! Mother Blixen is telling a story!

And then comes the orphan who dreams of actually being the child of a count. The boy who is about to jump: perhaps tomorrow he will stand on the mast. Come the kind-hearted priest, the ship captain, the landowner, the impoverished noblewoman, the struggling writer, the old king and his even older servant, the silent lover, they can't all fit into the room, the lover has to sit on the bench, but it doesn't matter, this way at least no one can see if a tear runs down his face. And they all listen to Blixen's simple, old-fashioned, beautiful stories.

When reading The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare, I gained an understanding of what a winter's tale truly is.

It consists of stories that are told and plays that are enacted during winter celebrations, aiming to bring joy to old women and small children. The wisdom within these tales appeals to the elderly, while the fantastical elements capture the imagination of the young.

Moreover, these stories serve as excellent conversation starters, prompting discussions about the nature of life and wisdom.

After reading Babette’s Feast by Isak Dinesen, I had the hope of delving into something equally fantastical.

Although the stories I have encountered since then may not be as outrageously fantastical, they are still of great quality. In fact, they are so good that I typically read one long short story each day, allowing myself to deeply ponder on the essence of these tales.

All in all, these stories have the potential to be transformed into excellent movies, leaning more towards the art genre.

They possess the elements that can engage the audience and take them on a journey of exploration and reflection.

I found the short stories a little difficult to read. It was as if I was trying to swim in a trickle of a creek.

When at last I began enjoying each story, Dinesen often indulged herself with wordy philosophies or distracting details.

I found myself, as each story ended, wondering why such time and detail had been wasted on a story so pointless.

What a shame! I so loved her writings on life in Africa.

It seems that in these short stories, the author's penchant for elaborate philosophies and excessive details sometimes overshadowed the essence of the stories.

Although I had high expectations based on her wonderful works about Africa, these short stories left me a bit disappointed.

Perhaps if the author had focused more on the core of each story and less on the extraneous elements, I would have had a more enjoyable reading experience.

Nonetheless, I still appreciate her talent and look forward to exploring more of her works in the future.

I never thought I would love anything by Blixen as much as her “Seven Gothic Tales”, but this collection truly comes close.

These eleven tales are exquisitely written, and each one demands a deeper analysis. They are quite distinct from the traditional gothic tales. The setting is usually Scandinavia, which gives them a less exotic feel. The austere and flat Danish landscape, along with the clear-cut nordic folklore, seeps through these stories, making them a bit darker and calmer than the gothic tales. Yet, they are unmistakably Blixenesque in their ornate style and references to classical literature and Romantic ideology.

Just like in Romantic literature, the natural world is personified and alive in Blixen’s stories. For instance, “The low undulating Danish landscape was silent and serene, mysteriously wide-awake in the hour before sunrise. (…) Unwatched by the eyes of man, and undisturbed by his activity, the country breathed a timeless life, to which language was inadequate”. It seems as if nature has its own mysterious life, filled with secrets and stories unknown to humans. Just like in Blixen’s tales, there are always hidden layers that are not immediately apparent to the reader. In “Sorrow-Acre”, for example, there is a hidden sub-plot that is only hinted at through various clues. The main character, Adam, visits his uncle and his new young wife. The uncle constantly touches his forehead, which can be interpreted as a hint to the phrase “wearing the horns of a cuckold”, indicating that he is being cheated on by his wife. Adam also has a limp, which could be seen as a reference to Oedipus, emphasizing the oedipal theme of the story. The ideology of the younger generation is replacing that of the older generation. In this way, there is a whole narrative unfolding behind the scenes of the main narrative.

In these tales, there are many recurring motifs and themes, such as longing. “The thin grey line of a road, winding across the plain and up and down hills, was the fixed materialization of human longing, and of the human notion that it is better to be in one place than another”. Most of the characters in these tales long for something or somewhere else, even when they know that it might not necessarily be better. The King in “The Fish” asks his travelling companion: “is it by the will of the Lord that mankind cannot be happy, but must ever be longing for the things which they have not, and which, maybe, are nowhere to be found?” In “Peter and Rosa”, the main characters’ longing even leads to their tragic death.

The collection is framed by two companion tales about the writer Charles Despard. Many of Blixen’s characters are themselves storytellers, allowing for tales within the tales that mirror each other and offer a wide range of meta-literary speculations, such as “does a book exist which is never read?”. It appears to be a clear message in Blixen’s tales that by exploring the art of storytelling, one will also explore life and the human condition in general.

This was an outstanding book.

I was completely enamored with all the diverse stories that this book had to offer.

The level of detail was simply remarkable.

Each story was like a vivid tapestry, intricately woven with the finest threads of imagination and creativity.

The author's ability to bring these stories to life through words was truly a marvel.

From the first page to the last, I was captivated by the engaging plots, well-developed characters, and the richly detailed settings.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story and appreciates the art of storytelling at its finest.

It has left a lasting impression on me and I will surely be recommending it to all my friends and fellow book lovers.

I have a deep affection for reading. However, I confess that I didn't truly understand the essence of loving words, the enchanting sound they produce, and the fascinating interplay among them. For me, the value of words and reading mainly lies in sharing information and ideas. It's like opening a door to a new world of knowledge and inspiration.

But then, Isak Dinesen came into my life. Her works have a magical charm that makes me gradually start to understand those people who have an intense passion for words. Through her writing, I can sense the power and beauty that words hold. It's as if she weaves a web of words that traps the reader and takes them on an unforgettable journey.

Now, I'm beginning to see that loving words is not just about the meaning they convey but also about the emotions, the atmosphere, and the stories they can create. I'm looking forward to exploring more of the wonderful world of words and deepening my understanding of this mysterious and captivating language.

In January of 2016, my life was in a state of flux. I had just started my final contract extension at work and had decided to move to Colombia in May, after my contract ended, to study Spanish. I had recently finished reading a wonderful collection of short stories by Alice Munro and was in need of another. So, here I was, with my life changing and the next several months planned to be very busy, yet without a collection of short stories to read during those brief moments of respite from the chaos of moving across countries. Also, since I wasn't planning on coming home for Christmas that year, I knew that the winter of 2015/2016 would be my last for at least one more year. To celebrate this season, which turns some Canadians into recluses and others into adventurers in the white world, I picked up Isak Dinesen's Winter Tales from my bookshelf.

It turned out that the winter of 2015/2016 in Saskatchewan was unusually mild. Very little snow fell, and the temperature rarely dropped below -20C. For a Canadian prairie boy like me, who loves snow and cold, and enjoys snowshoeing and cross country skiing, this was a disappointment. Unlike many of my friends, I was cursing El Nino for taking away that quintessentially Canadian season.

Similarly, this collection of short stories was also somewhat lacking. Isak Dinesen is a name that often comes up as a missed opportunity for the Nobel Committee to award a deserving woman. Having some respect for the prize and believing that it usually recognizes talented writers, I came to this collection with high expectations. And, at times, I was impressed by Dinesen's writing, especially her descriptions of the natural world. However, the stories themselves often felt directionless. I suspect this may be due to the style Dinesen was trying to imitate. Set in the late 19th century, before Europe was ravaged by total war, the stories have an innocent and meandering quality, similar to many romantic works of the time. While I could appreciate the beauty of the writing, I often found it difficult to connect with the characters and their unrelatable notions of humanity and charity.

Despite these shortcomings, there were a few stories in the collection that I enjoyed. The final few stories, in particular, were more consistent and predictable, dealing with themes of family and the relationship between children and parents. However, overall, I found the collection to be a bit of a mixed bag. I rated it three out of five stars, mainly to acknowledge Dinesen's writing talent, but it was a hard three, and at times it bordered on a two. This makes me wonder if I will read Isak Dinesen again in the future. Maybe I'll check out her two most famous works, Seven Gothic Tales and Out of Africa, but I won't rush to do so. For now, I'll leave Winter Tales on my shelf and wait for another January to come around.