I'm beginning to truly appreciate that short stories do not necessarily equate with quick reading.

This book essentially took me two months to finish. Mainly, I think, because the stories are in fact quite dense, and the prose is not meant to be rushed through.

The writing is absolutely beautiful. However, the stories themselves are delicate and somewhat oblique, demanding more mental engagement than I was prepared for on most days.

In many of these stories, the era in which they take place is unclear, at least for a good portion of the beginning. This added to the sense that closer attention to the details provided was needed in order to find your footing in each story.

The lesson learned here is clear: don't underestimate the complexity of short stories. Also, Karen Blixen's prose is incredibly gorgeous, and I would definitely read more of her work.

Her ability to craft such intricate and engaging stories within a relatively short space is truly remarkable. It makes me eager to explore more of her literary offerings and see what other treasures she has in store for readers.

Overall, this reading experience has been both challenging and rewarding, opening my eyes to the depth and beauty that can be found in short stories.

As with Dinesen's "Tempests" (previously reviewed) at the conclusion of our 4-1/2 year study of Shakespeare, another of her tales provided the entrement between Nietzsche and Goethe. Thank goodness for a real story told by a master!

"Sorrow Acre" is such a tale. The plot has pace and tension, which keeps the readers engaged from the very beginning. The characters are developed with subtlety and inference, allowing the readers to gradually uncover their true natures and motives. This adds depth and complexity to the story, making it more than just a simple narrative.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The combination of a well-crafted plot, rich characters, and Dinesen's masterful storytelling results in a work that is truly a masterpiece. It is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, leaving you with a sense of wonder and appreciation for the power of literature.

In conclusion, "Sorrow Acre" is a must-read for anyone who loves great storytelling and wants to experience the beauty and depth of Dinesen's writing.

Dinesen's Out of Africa is truly one of my all-time favorites. The way she描绘s the African landscape and the people there is just magical. However, with the exception of Babette's Feast, I find her other fiction rather hard to get through. It seems to exist at a certain distance from me. Perhaps it's because of the fable-like quality that pervades her works. When I read them, it's as if I'm seeing through a glass darkly, not quite able to fully grasp the essence and the deeper meanings. There's a certain opacity that makes it a bit of a struggle for me to engage with the stories on a more profound level. But still, I can't deny the beauty and the artistry that Dinesen brings to her writing, even if it doesn't always click with me in the same way as Out of Africa.