- Paperback: 112 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (25 Jan 1990)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140183914
- ISBN-13: 978-0140183917
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 13 x 1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 640,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Under a Glass Bell and Other Stories
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
From being a cult figure of the early feminist movement, Anais Nin later rose to international prominence with her writing. With these 13 short stories, Anais Nin penetrates the emotional depths of the individual in a world where illusion is the key to reality.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anais Nin's impressive capacity of giving an intricate articulation to her thoughts revels itself, generously, in this collection of short stories. Half dream, half reality, these stories not only offer access to her artistic and emotional vision, but are also an insight into the realm of human nature and its complexity. Because of their richness in poetic expression, some of these stories may look inaccessible at a first glance, but a more attentive reading will disclose their value and justify their lyricism.
These short stories have been criticized for focusing solely on the descriptional aspect at the expense of a solid plot. This view is absolutely inadequate to the real nature of this work. It is true that there is an imperative domain of symbolic expressionism, but an attentive approach will uncover new layers of meaning. Different stories convey different messages, so the reader should not search for a unity that in fact was not intended by the author. There is no such thing as a single plot, but a number of different plots. And, obviously enough, because of their being short stories, they are not meant to express complex plots, although, through the use of their, at times, complex language, the author manages to create deep underlying meanings. These stories should be appreciated as an artist's keen observation and interpretation of human experiences and nature, not as a mere fictional work with a definite plot.
For their strong symbolism, these short stories demand some willingness from the reader's part in order to be justly appreciated. I suggest that only those ready to make an effort should devote their time to this collection of short stories.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This collection creates both a sense of the horrific and the beautiful: the style is very personal, and Nin creates atmosphere far more realisitically than she creates charector, although the central figure of the final story is a masterpiece. The storys tend not to center on a plot as such, but are poignant and strongly emotive. Far removed from her the 'erotica' of Delta of Venus. I think this is an excellent collection.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
8 reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
The Fruits of Surrealism
16 Sep 2002
Format:Paperback
Anais Nin did not adhere to the traditions of story-telling. Formulaic plots, character arcs, and realistic descriptions didn't interest her. She was a master of character analysis and description -- instead of watching her characters move through the story, you, as the reader, move through the characters. This was because Nin was experimenting with a new artistic movement called surrealism and she ended up being one of its brightest stars.
Because of Edmund Wilson's favorable review (and he was, of course, the king of critics) this was the collection of stories that finally brought Nin's work to the attention of public. Her writing style is simply stunning. Imagine distilling a story, as one distills a liquid, down to the final crystals. Or creating a beautiful and poetic ritual out of something mundane (such as the Geisha's tea ceremony).
I think my personal favorites in this collection are "Ragtime," an amazing description of the poverty-stricken rag-picking community in 1930s Paris, "The Mouse," about Nin's fearful maid, and "Birth," the now notorious story about Nin's abortion. Seem like ugly topics? You'd be amazed at how beautiful Nin can render them.
It takes a sensitive reader to understand Anais Nin's writing, but if you are that, I think you will find value in these stories.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Dream Words
4 April 2000
Format:Paperback
In this intoxicating collection of short stories, Anais Nin delves into the lush imagery of dreams. Her stories touch on issues we carry deep within our unconscious - ideas of ephemerality, sexual identity, experiences of childhood and many others.
Her passion for "transmutation" is evident, as she blends a dream-like hyper-reality into incisive observations of the human experience. Whether exploring human suffering, the fields of memory or the awakenings of artisitc awareness, Nin's writing uncovers new layers of meaning. Her stories seem to glow with a sublime light.
This is a slim book, but it begs several re-readings. It will draw you back, both for its excellent example of one woman's contribution to the modernist literary movement, and for its pure lyricism. Nin's imagery will haunt you long after you've turned the last page.
Anaïs Nin
17 Dec 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I look forward to Anaïs Nin's other work this book was very deep in thought.
Short stories/poems that seem very personal and dark. She has a labyrinth of a mind that seems to hold her prisoner.
Short stories/poems that seem very personal and dark. She has a labyrinth of a mind that seems to hold her prisoner.
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