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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
For me the highlight of this collection is "the mouse" - a saddening tale of an abortion(as if there's ever a happy one). I have never read Anais Nin before and many were shocked I was reading her because she mainly wrote erotica. Personally that isn't my type of book, but setting that aside I thoroughly enjoyed this collection.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Anaïs's writing is indescribably beautiful; she easily puts emotions into words with perfection. the second half of the stories were better in my opinion, but the whole collection is amazing <3
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
A lot of the short stories here are missing the story element, I fear. It reminds me of how I would first start writing: all prose, no direction.
The Mouse, The Labyrinth, and Hejda are the stand-outs for me
A lot of the short stories here are missing the story element, I fear. It reminds me of how I would first start writing: all prose, no direction.
The Mouse, The Labyrinth, and Hejda are the stand-outs for me
I really just reread this book every could of years and find something that absolutely decimates me every single time. Absolute perfection.
Shout out Buck 65 for turning me on to it 100 years ago.
Shout out Buck 65 for turning me on to it 100 years ago.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My least favorite kind of fiction book is short stories, but one of my favorite writers is Anais Nin, so on my most recent trip to the library, I decided to see which was stronger: my love of Nin or my hatred of short stories. Contrary to how the saying goes, hate trumped love.
Hate is probably too strong of a word, but this was definitely the writing that I liked least by her. She did the best job one could do with short stories though; the way she paints a picture is head and shoulders above what I've experienced by just about anyone else I've read.
Under a Glass Bell is more like poetry than prose. When I'm finished reading prose I feel like I can point to characters and story lines and have a general idea what happened between the first and last words. With poetry, it's different. I have no idea what actually happened, if anything, because it's not really linear or sensical in the traditional way. But I sure do feel it. The feeling I got from these vignettes is almost indescribable. It was like walking through an art gallery or doing a bunch of ketamine and putting on some Trampled by Turtles. I can't explain it, and you might experience something completely different, but goddamn was it fun and mind altering.
I'm done with short stories for at least the time being, but I don't think I'll ever be done with Anais Nin. Buying her diaries is definitely on my 2025 list.
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So many pages dog-eared. Nin puts so much life and purpose into such few words. I feel like i lived a dozen lifetimes in a short amount of time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Medical content
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism
Minor: Animal cruelty