The Dreaming Child

by Isak Dinesen, Karen Blixen

‘As for me I have one ambition only: to invent stories, very beautiful stories’

Gothic, expansive and truly spellbinding, Karen Blixen’s short stories offer incisive psychological portraits and imaginative visions of war, longing and tender love. Here, an orphan boy creates an elaborate fantasy of a life of grandeur, a feudal lord sets a peasant woman a deadly task, and a young woman resists against her captors, in the midst of conflict.

Genres: Short Stories, Classics, Fiction, Womens, Denmark

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1942

About the author

Pseudonym used by the Danish author Karen Blixen.

Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke (Danish: [kʰɑːɑn ˈb̥leɡ̊sn̩]), born Karen Christentze Dinesen, was a Danish author, also known by the pen name Isak Dinesen, who wrote works in Danish, French and English. She also at times used the pen names Tania Blixen, Osceola, and Pierre Andrézel.

Blixen is best known for Out of Africa, an account of her life while living in Kenya, and for one of her stories, "Babette's Feast," both of which have been adapted into Academy Award-winning motion pictures. She is also noted for her Seven Gothic Tales, particularly in Denmark.

(wikipedia)

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 4 - Drama:
The world premiere of Harold Pinter's unproduced film screenplay, based on Karen Blixen's elusive and mysterious short story of love and loss.

It's Bristol in 1868 and Emily, married to wealthy Tom Carter, is haunted by her passionate first love affair with a young soldier who subsequently dies at sea. Seven years later and unable to have children themselves, they decide to adopt a boy from the slum. Jack however is not an ordinary child - and seems to know everything about his new home and family.

Adapted by Joanna Hogg and Laurence Bowen

Director: Joanna Hogg

Producer: Laurence Bowen

[Coenraad · Rating 5 out of 5]

In these three stories, originally from WINTER'S TALES, Karen Blixen as Isak Dinesen demonstrates my claim that the most important theme in literature is SIGHT AND INSIGHT. Although they seem to be about love (the love of a childless couple for an adopted son, the love of a young sailor that will drive him to murder, the love of a young parson's foster son for the sea and a girl he has known since childhood), they all delve into the psyche of the characters, with yields that one would not always like to see. Elegantly told, convincing and bold - Blixen deserved her fame and would have been an excellent Nobel laureate, despite the Swedish Academy's recently published reasons not to award the prize to her. These stories leave the reader slightly winded from discovery and adoration.

Karen Blixen, onder haar bekendste skuilnaam Isak Dinesen, slaan die asem weg in hierdie drie verhale wat oënskynlik handel oor verskillende vorms van liefde, maar die karakters psigologies blootlê. Sy demonstreer my bewering dat die belangrikste tema in die letterkunde SIG EN INSIG is.

[Angelika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premises, but poor execution - unfortunately - in the sense that there is no authentic vibe to those stories. They read fake - some fascinating ideas and concepts, competently written (large parts at least) but still fake. I didn't really get into it because of that and also because there is nothing subtle about the stories - everything, every thought process is spelled out for you. Apart from some beautiful descriptions of the landscape and the weather, the writing quality fluctuated. It didn't pull me in. Some paragraphs were outright cheesy and ruined what had been beautiful and thought-provoking in the first place. And I'm not one to be easily put off sentimental, overly emotional writing, on the contrary....so well, not enthusiastic about it, to say the least.

[Anna Sircova · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three tales have some moral stories in them, but also very deep psychological insights into the dreamers, grieving, familial structures and relationships, questions of morality and weirdness of the world around us.

I’m still don’t have a full answer why did the wife in the first tale lied about the kid to her husband.. and in all three cases we are left to wonder what’s next? How did the life will be for them afterwards?

What is love?

[John Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful imagery, tales that feel like they have been passed down through the ages like folk songs. Will live with me for some time.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got really caught up in the first story, but the latter two didn't grab me as much.

[Erica Smythe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good writing but the stories were disturbing.

[Neha Zadef · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful descriptions and lovely stories but the last one especially was long winded af and just a little too much. liked it tho.

[Jan De Meulder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like fairy tales.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Archive #22

3.5
I would definitely read more from Karen Blixen after having finished her short story collection.

This is because I was irritated when the titular story, The Dreaming Child, ended. It felt like she had set up such a riveting story, one that absolutely could have been turned into a full length novel, and then it just finished right as it was getting good.
Always leave 'em wanting more I guess...

However, it was because of this abruptness that I only rate this collection 3.5 stars. I left it feeling unsatisfied. It's an odd feeling. I suppose, writing a short story is a skill in itself. I would have preferred to read one of her full length novels.

I will probably go and do that after my task is up!

[Rivkah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't particularly drawn to this story or the characters but for some reason I got caught by it and must know how it ends (yes, I know it ends roundly but not to my satisfaction). I'm rather annoyed that I don't have access to it at the moment and am considering writing the end myself. Or a part two, or something. It BOTHERS me. I don't even like it. It just needs something done to it. Like 30 more seconds in the microwave. This is dumb.

[Edcleide Silva]

obra reúne três contos da obra Contos de Inverno (1942). O primeiro intitula o livro e segue-se com ‘The Sailor-boy’s Tale’ e ‘Peter and Rosa’.

Karen Blixen (1885 – 1962), escritora Dinamarquesa, usava o pseudônimo Isak Dinesen, viveu no Quênia e em Nairobi. Um dos seus livros mais conhecidos é ... https://lilivross.wordpress.com/the-d...

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange unfilmed Pinter adaptation of a possession story.

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw the twist coming but it was enjoyable enough.

[Vishnu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic Slow burn set in the backdrop of the patriarchal society that closed of the lead emotionally.