Most people know of Isak Dineson because of Out of Africa. More specifically from the movie Out of Africa..But she spent most of her literary career perfecting her short stories.
I read my first Dineson short story with my book club - as part of collection of short stories by women authors that we were trying out. I was completely mesmerized. The story was 'The Old Chevalier' from 'Seven Gothic Tales.' The story was set in an earlier century. Her writing style very much in the tone of the novels from the Victorian period. Atmospheric, romantic, unsettling. The overwhelming sensation I had when I finished was that I had been entertained, entranced, but that I was uncertain what it MEANT.
I found a book on Google - 'Understanding Isak Dinesen' by Susan Brantly that had an analysis of the story. Reading that shed so much light on the story. i was amazed at how much symbolism, how much meaning every little nuance of the story contained. At first we feel that it is a nostalgic tale of a romance in an age gone by. But at the heart of it is a modern message about the battle of the sexes. Was the narrator to be admired or pitied for his actions? Even with the analysis - you are not entirely sure which opinion you have.
Many of Dinesen's stories have a fairy tale quality. She somehow invokes a feeling of magic or unreality - even though the stories have solid settings. They all hearken back to that gothic writing style of the Bronte's or other nineteenth century novelists. This is particularly interesting because the author was writing in the 30's - the time period where the stark writing of Hemmingway was on the rise. There is always a feeling of ambiguity or strangeness when each one ends. They are set in a world of Baron's and Dukes, and great and beautiful ladies, and poor and humble peasants.
However - her message is never old fashioned. There is always that modern undercurrent running beneath the story. Women who feel trapped by convention and circumstances is a theme that arises often. Exploration of class also occurs
There are so many literary allusions, symbols and all of it is done so subtly, and with so much ambiguity - it is like a puzzle. I found myself purchasing a copy of 'Understanding Isak Dineson'. After each tale I would eagerly read the analysis and be amazed by all the double meanings packed into the story.
Her language is beautiful. Intricate prose and grammar. The vocabulary was rich - full of words that are dusted of from somewhere deep in the dictionary. I particularly liked this - because I am always fascinted by how many words we seem to have lost , how much simpler the language and vocabulary in modern writing is then in older novels. Dinesen was a native of Denmark and but she originally wrote her stories in English.
Dinesen's personal life was almost as fantastic as one of her tales. Karen Dinesen was her maiden name. She became engaged to a cousin, Baron von Blixen and moved with him to a coffee plantation in Africa. The Baron was unfaithful and gave her syphillis - which plagued her for years (this was before there was an easy antibiotic cure). She took a lover, as depicted in Out of Africa, who later died in a fatal plane crash. She returned to Denmark and her family estate and picked up her pen in earnest.
These stories are challenging. The writing style is challenging. The reader must always be the final arbiter of what the story means. They are not an easy read. But in my opinion - they are well worth the effort. Just make sure to pick up your copy of Susan Brantley's book to guide you through!
Comments