Folio Books: Review of Anecdotes of Destiny and Ehrengard by Isak Dinesen

Anecdotes of Destiny and Ehrengard

by Isak Dinesen

Vintage International, a division of Random House

July 1993; 277 pages

You know those annoying paperback covers, the ones that make the bookseller's life a misery? The ones with a shiny laminated finish that, if you leave them lying about for an hour, curl back on themselves like a toilet roll? Well, I only mention them because this Vintage paperback is not like that. All praises to the publishers for the elegance of this edition, and especially for the nice matte cover that lies flat. The typesetting is lovely too, with an airy, gracious feel.

I can't imagine anyone not being captivated by Isak Dinesen's stories, they unfold with such grace and humour, such simplicity of style, and with such a deep understanding and tolerance of human nature. The writing is purity itself. These are fairy-tales, but not the kind you'd read to your children. All the best storytellers seem to know things about people that no-one else knows (not even the other great storytellers -- isn't it odd?). The first five stories in this volume were published in 1958 as Anecdotes of Destiny, while Ehrengard appeared in 1963, the year following Isak Dinesen's death. If I have a favourite among them (and I'm not saying I have), it would be Ehrengard, the utterly original tale of a sophisticated artist's efforts to seduce a beautiful young girl. Do yourself a favour and read this book. A top choice Christmas gift.

Contents (number of pages in parentheses): The Diver (18), Babette's Feast (37), Tempests (69), The Immortal Story (65), The Ring (9), and Ehrengard (63).

Click on a title to order or to see more on Amazon:

Anecdotes of Destiny and Ehrengard 277 pages, Vintage, US$12.00 ($9.60 on Amazon at time of writing, 20 percent off).

Seven Gothic Tales (not yet read, a pleasure waiting in the bookshelf). Contents: The Deluge at Norderney, The Old Chevalier, The Monkey, The Roads Round Pisa, The Supper at Elsinore, The Dreamers, The Poet. 420 pages, Vintage, US$14.00 ($11.20 on Amazon at time of writing, 20 percent off).

Also, a treat for Isak Dinesen fans, Judith Thurman's marvellous biography, Isak Dinesen: The Life of a Storyteller Picador USA, US$16.00 ($12.80 on Amazon at time of writing, 20 percent off).

M.A., Sept 10, 1997