Madame Zilensky und der König von Finnland. Erzählungen II

by Carson McCullers

Zwei Erzählungen über liebenswürdige Exzentriker: Mit Madame Zilensky als neuer Lehrkraft für Musik und Komposition kann das Ryder College hochzufrieden sein, allen voran der Leiter Mr. Brooks, der sie eingestellt hat. Sie ist eine engagierte und leidenschaftliche Lehrerin. Doch was hat es mit ihren Geschichten über den König von Finnland auf sich?
In Ein Baum, ein Felsen, eine Wolke erklärt ein rätselhafter Mann in einem Nachtcafé einem zwölfjährigen Jungen, wie Liebe anfangen sollte."

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Carson McCullers was an American novelist, short-story writer, playwright, essayist, and poet. Her first novel, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1940), explores the spiritual isolation of misfits and outcasts in a small town of the Southern United States. Her other novels have similar themes. Most are set in the Deep South.
McCullers's work is often described as Southern Gothic and indicative of her Southern roots. Critics also describe her writing and eccentric characters as universal in scope. Her stories have been adapted to stage and film. A stage adaptation of her novel The Member of the Wedding (1946), which captures a young girl's feelings at her brother's wedding, made a successful Broadway run in 1950–51.

Reviews

[Mauricio]

En español" Madame Zilensky y el Rey de Finlandia". Un cuento corto sobre una exéntrica y mitómana profesora de música que me hace pensar en el consejo dado por el abogado Roy M Cohn, un maestro de inmoralidad, a su protegido, el presente POTUS: "Una mentira repetida varias veces, se vuelve una verdad".

[Moushine Zahr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of Carson McCullers's novels and this is the second short story I've read from my favorite American author.
I discovered years ago this great author thanks to books I borrowed from the public library in Casablanca. However, luckily for me I purchased this year from a bookstore a special edition In French language combining all of the author's novels and her 20 short stories in one book!!!

Like the other short story, this story is concise and detailed describing a scene where a leading character has strong emotion about something specific. Music is an important component in many of these short stories as it was important in the author's life. In this short story, there is humour, which was rare in the author's works.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
4 Extra Debut. Despite smooth running in the music department, Madame Zilensky sparks apprehension for Mr Brook. Read by Shelley Thompson.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09483j8

[Yomna Saber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the ending! Mr. Brook's reality is equally faltering and the symbol of 'the King of Finland' can be applied to all of us being caught up in our bubbles and blurring the boundaries between fact and fantasy. I particularly loved the ending of this story.