40 reviews for:

Under a glass bell

Anaïs Nin

3.81 AVERAGE

dark lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
dark mysterious reflective
Plot or Character Driven: N/A
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Some of the stories didn't hold my attention but boy, some did! Houseboat, The Mouse and Birth were exceptional stories. Hejda felt very inappropriate to me because of Nin's commentary about a culture that wasn't her own. Even the Child Born Out of the Fog. A white author narrating the stories of people of color was probably a sign of that time but still wholly inappropriate. 
challenging dark reflective slow-paced

This short story collection is bunkers but beautiful at times. It can get too confusing and metaphorical, it demands attention.

This collection of short stories was a challenge for me. A few of the stories were 4, maybe even 5 star reads, but there were also stories that I not only didn't connect to, but that I simply didn't understand. I'd probably have to dive into Nin's writing more thoroughly, preferably with someone to discuss it with in order to gain a fuller appreciation of it. As it was, this reading experience was a bit lacking. I often felt confused by her metaphoric language, though other times her style was incredibly resounding and engaging. I am definitely interested in reading more of her work eventually, but now is not the time.

Nin has a very poetic writing style and her prose is beautiful. She uses words well and creates some nice imagery. However, I couldn't rate this book higher because I felt there were times when the style got in the way of the story.

A new favourite. Anais Nin's writing is exquisite and her storytelling is dreamlike.

Look out for a review on my blog! (www.shhitsalibrary.wordpress.com)

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I picked up this book but it certainly wasn't what I got! Under a Glass Bell is complex and brimming with cultural references I don't get. It was a hard slog of a read in places. The final two short stories in this collection, however, were amazing. I found myself identifying with Hejda and empathising with the journey of the protagonist in Birth. I'm glad I read this book but I suspect I'd need to read it several times to truly engage with what Nin is trying to say.

I really have no words to describe the world this book can put you in. I'm quoting Edmund Wilson on this one "They are half short stories, half dreams, and they mix a sometimes exquisite poetry with a homely realistic observation. They take place in a special world, in a world of feminine perception and fancy, which is all the more curious and charming for being innocently international." No wonder this is by far the most printed work of the artist :)
challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I am not the biggest fan of short stories, I'd rather relish in a good long one if I have the time and energy for it, but this was just lovely.
There are 13 short tales in this book, all of them very dreamlike, almost abstract in places but the writing is so excellent, the metaphors so well chosen they enchanted me into believing it was all real.

This was my first book of this author, but I am dying to read her journals which I have also purchased recently. I would highly recommend this colourfull and stirring collection to anyone !