Product Description
Two contrasting stories, one about a necklace of pearls, the other a necklace of diamonds.Both authors in different ways use the symbolism of the jewels to illustrate aspects of the human condition. The Necklace is a story of vanity and of two lives blighted by the loss of a diamond necklace; The Pearls a story of love and fear. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fascinating
The last book of the baroness show that her literary skills were in pristine condition until her last days. In this book, the author will ponder if it is possible to percibe in the glimpse of a second the timelessness of eternal beauty, as well as how can we become a part of something-someone that is not us? Is that the reason why love is a fools game? This questions and several more are placed before the reader while in the surface the tale is just narrating how Herr Cazotte, will try to seduce Ehrengard. Not by having sex with her - that would be to crude and common for an artist like him - rather he will try to show her by means of a portrait, that her inner self was captured by his art in a painting while she was bathing naked in a secluded lake. ... Read more

Product Description
These five rich, witty and magical stories from the author of "Out of Africa" include one of her most well known tales, 'Babette's Feast', which was made into the classic film. It tells the story of a French cook working in a puritanical Norwegian community, who treats her employers to the decadent feast of a lifetime. There is also a real-life Prospero and his Ariel in 'Tempests', a mysterious pearl-fisher in 'The Diver' and a brief, tragic encounter in 'The Ring'. All the stories have a mystic, fairy-tale quality, linked by themes of angels, the sea, dreams and fate. They were among the last to be written by Isak Dinesen, and show her as a master of short fiction. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Jests on the part of Fate
In these brilliantly written short stories with at least one masterpiece (`The Immortal Story'), Isak Dinesen illustrates in powerful and colorful brushes the role of `Fate' in human life. Life is turned into a theatre (a comedy or a tragedy) and theatre into life (`Tempests'). There are victims of Fate, but also `Fate makers'. And, in any case, `let good fortune be even so sweet, it takes strength to bear even that.'

Man and Fate
(People) `tremble before making choices in life, and after having made them again tremble in fear of having chosen wrong'. For, `Ay, that which we rejected is poured upon us abundantly.'
Man is not a fish (`The Diver'): `Man is alarmed by the idea of time, and unbalanced by incessant wanderings between past and future. The inhabitants of a liquid world have brought past and future together in the maxim: après nous le déluge'.

Fate makers
In `The Diver', the powerful see inventions and great dreams as dangerous revolutions. `If indeed the flying boy meets and communicates with angels, what new and revolutionary things the angels may tell him?'
In `The Immortal Story', an old and rich trader tries to turn the immortal story of the sailor who was paid to make love, into reality. Because, `so are the poor jumping-jacks in the hands of the rich, the fools in the hands of the shrewd. They dance and drop as these hands pull the strings.'

Sudden revelations and decisions
In `The Ring', a wife suddenly comprehends that `she was turned away by an impatient husband to whom his sheep meant more than his wife.'
In `Tempests', a young girl decides to become an actress after a theatre performance.
In `Babette's Feast', a brief encounter becomes a missed opportunity which will be remembered all life long: `I have been with you every day of my life'.

Isak Dinesen understands admirably the essence of art (literature). She instills the reader with powerful emotions and burning questions, together with original, personal, crucial and unexpected insights in life's Fate, `poured abundantly upon us'.
This outstanding collection is a must read for all lovers of world literature.
... Read more

Product Description
This is the only known recording of Isak Dinesen herself--the author whose journals formed the basis of the film Out of Africa. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wonderful !
Dinesen is an amazing storyteller and hearing these stories in her own voice, with her wonderful phrasing and accent is a real thrill.Even though her voice is getting old and crackly, it is still wonderful.This tape is a must-have for Dinesen fans.Too bad it is not yet available on CD...

Dinesen reminds us of the power of the oral tradition.
This is a wonderful recording which I fear will soon be plunged into obscurity for a while due to the relative rarity of cassette tape players.Someone should immediately burn this into a CD or make it available fordownloading.These stories were meant to be heard.The first thing younotice is the strange, deep voice, frail and powerful at the same time. Simply as a feat of memory for a person of advanced years (Dinesen workedfrom memory rather than notes), this is a remarkable performance.But it'smuch richer than that - it has all the power of her writing on the page,and more.If you're a fan of Dinesen and have read the biographies, youknow how identified she was with the oral tradition.While her writingstyle isn't exactly "conversational", this recitation reminds usjust how powerful the oral tradition is, and it needn't be ghettoized totalk shows and stand-up comedians.There's an interesting politicalincorrectness at work in some of her insights (probably not toocontroversial at the time) that are very thought-provoking.Dinesen neverforgets that nature ultimately rules us.I listened to this tape in my carthis morning while driving to work and I was transported. This treasure iswell worth the few dollars it cost.

The best audio short story I have ever experienced.
The author is known to most people for her famous book "Out of Africa".In that autiobiographical bookDinesen entertains guests in her home by weaving her own short stories.After listening to these two stories every hearer will understand why guests looked forward to the storiesthat would follow the evening meal. Isak Dinesen tells two powerful stories full of artistic detail and insights into human nature. These stories are as different as could be imagined.One takes place in the 20th century and the other takes place in the first. The firststory, "The Kings' Letter" is entirely true and takes place in Kenya, the scene of Dinesen's famous novel Out of Africa. In this story the listener is treated to several interlocking sub-stories, each one entertaining in its right. The author goes to great pains to refrain from exaggeration and anything fanciful. The second story, "The Wine of the Tetrarch" is entirely a "fancy of her own imagination". Yet even the fiction speaks with suchunexaggerated, measured and insightful descriptions that would seem to only come from an eyewitness. The second story is an imagined encounter of the Apostle Peter on the Wednesday following the Resurrection of Christ. Dinesen accomplishes this story with an obvious respect, if not reverence for the Christian account of the Resurrection.Even some of the words attributed to the Apostle Peter come directly from the epistle of 1 Peter. This lends to the story such a credibility that the listener will be tempted to add this account to the book of Acts.The live audience in the background give the listener the sense that others are experiencing the pathos, delight, and admiration for the author that will fill any listener with a sense of longing for more.These rare stories are like the last two bottles of the finest wine of a vintage that will never be again, and after they are consumed they warm the heart with the satisfaction of having enjoyed a rare luxury.These storie! s are the only known tapes of Isak Dinesen's voice telling her own stories.

Dinesen's readings are moving & beautiful
I've been looking to get another copy of this tape since our copy was "borrowed" permanently.It is easy to see why borrowers will keep this one: it is a joy to listen to one of the greaat storytellers of the century telling her own stories ... Read more

Product Description
"Through all the world there goes one long cry from the heart of the artist: Give me leave to do my utmost." So writes Isak Dinesen in "Babette's Feast" as she spins a tale of friendship's ultimate sacrifice and the deepest values of life. In "Sorrow-Acre" Dinesen probes the heart of a mother who sows a field single-handedly in an attempt to save her son. These two complete stories echo Babette's plea with haunting poignancy. 2 cassettes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Great story if you can get past the reader
I have just started listening to books on tape, and was completely spoiled by Kate Nelligan's reading of my first, The Last Days of Dogtown.When I looked for another, I chose this one, read by Colleen Dewhurst, because I have always admired her work in film.Well, it was all I could do to make it through Babette's Feast, and I will pass on trying to listen to Sorrow Acre.Her voice just drones on and on, withlittle emotion or inflection; she sounds bored to death, and I couldn't wait for it to be over.

Two fine stories
A couple of Isak Dinesen's best stories are here. Babette's Feast ,which is also a wonderful film, centers around a shared meal that brings grace and joy. An artist/cook gives all she has for a feast, two sisters, and her art. Sorrow-Acre resembles a folktale and shows the depths of a mothers love. Colleen Dewhurst does a superb reading. ... Read more

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First Edition ... Read more