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The Pleasure of Drowning
The Pleasure of Drowning is a collection of stories based on legends and fairy tales. Fairy tales have been told hundreds of times and have been around for centuries. They are not just something we tell, but something we live.
Jean Bürlesk takes us through these familiar paths, tempering the fantastical with a sharp tongue and a satirical vision. Irony and unease go hand in hand in this debut collection by the winner of the Prix d’Encouragement de la Fondation Servais 2019.
“Jean Bürlesk is a scoundrel and a charlatan. Members of the public are warned not to approach, or he will regale you with the filth and horror he calls stories.” Peadar Ó Guilín, award-winning author of The Call and The Invasion
“Alas, my lawyers have informed me that I have no grounds for a lawsuit against The Pleasure of Drowning for trespassing awfully close to the title of my own novel The Art of Starving.” Sam J. Miller, Nebula- Award-winning author of Blackfish City and Destroy All Monsters
Jean Bürlesk takes us through these familiar paths, tempering the fantastical with a sharp tongue and a satirical vision. Irony and unease go hand in hand in this debut collection by the winner of the Prix d’Encouragement de la Fondation Servais 2019.
“Jean Bürlesk is a scoundrel and a charlatan. Members of the public are warned not to approach, or he will regale you with the filth and horror he calls stories.” Peadar Ó Guilín, award-winning author of The Call and The Invasion
“Alas, my lawyers have informed me that I have no grounds for a lawsuit against The Pleasure of Drowning for trespassing awfully close to the title of my own novel The Art of Starving.” Sam J. Miller, Nebula- Award-winning author of Blackfish City and Destroy All Monsters
67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2020
1 person is currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Jean Bürlesk
1 book5 followersJean Bürlesk is a storyteller. He writes, he reads, he acts, he makes jokes nobody understands. He would sing and dance, but he has no sense of rhythm or melody. Sometimes he still sings and dances. As a Luxembourger and a lover of words, he expresses himself in five recognizable languages, as well as the usual nonsense.
He’s a terrific guide, unless of course he’s not and people just don’t have the heart to tell him.
His debut short story collection 'The Pleasure of Drowning' won the Prix d’Encouragement de la Fondation Servais 2019 and he was awarded a Chrysalis Award at Eurocon 2020.
He’s a terrific guide, unless of course he’s not and people just don’t have the heart to tell him.
His debut short story collection 'The Pleasure of Drowning' won the Prix d’Encouragement de la Fondation Servais 2019 and he was awarded a Chrysalis Award at Eurocon 2020.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 2, 2025
I picked up this book as my selection for Luxembourg in my .read the world challenge.
While I enjoyed it and see potential in Jean Burlesk’s writing, it didn’t quite reach extraordinary for me. The themes and atmosphere were intriguing, but I was hoping for a bit more depth or impact.
Still, it was an interesting read and a great glimpse into Luxembourg’s literary scene.
While I enjoyed it and see potential in Jean Burlesk’s writing, it didn’t quite reach extraordinary for me. The themes and atmosphere were intriguing, but I was hoping for a bit more depth or impact.
Still, it was an interesting read and a great glimpse into Luxembourg’s literary scene.
April 27, 2020
What a weird, delightful little collection of stories. Jean Bürlesk is one to watch out for.
Did I mention weird? Some are weirder than others. Each has its basis in some fairy tale or myth, recognizable yet each one rendered in very different ways. The only one I was unfamiliar with was the legend of the founding of Luxembourg (and apparently I SHOULD be familiar with it because that one blew me away).
Standouts for me: "Foundations," "Bluebeard," and "The Beauty of the Beast". But all have something to recommend them.
I appreciate the cheeky tone of the author, particularly in the afterword and the other meta parts of the book, as it were. A hard line to take a tiny book of short stories and strike the balance between not taking it too seriously, and seriously re-imagining known stories. Definitely some recognizable Neil Gaiman influence, and it seems I ought to be reading Peadar Ó Guilín.
This one I'll immediately hand off to a friend, and then make them give it back to me so I can read it again.
Did I mention weird? Some are weirder than others. Each has its basis in some fairy tale or myth, recognizable yet each one rendered in very different ways. The only one I was unfamiliar with was the legend of the founding of Luxembourg (and apparently I SHOULD be familiar with it because that one blew me away).
Standouts for me: "Foundations," "Bluebeard," and "The Beauty of the Beast". But all have something to recommend them.
I appreciate the cheeky tone of the author, particularly in the afterword and the other meta parts of the book, as it were. A hard line to take a tiny book of short stories and strike the balance between not taking it too seriously, and seriously re-imagining known stories. Definitely some recognizable Neil Gaiman influence, and it seems I ought to be reading Peadar Ó Guilín.
This one I'll immediately hand off to a friend, and then make them give it back to me so I can read it again.
June 25, 2024
Read Around the World: Luxembourg
What an absolutely delightful book.
Filled with fanciful, odd, delightful, slightly horrific, and often hilarious short stories, this was the book that I didn't even know I needed until I was really into it.
Add in the author's hilarious notes sprinkled without [with some great shout-outs to a well-loved author who is a huge inspiration] and his great, heartfelt end, this was one really enjoyable read and I am so glad that 1. the author both wrote it and submitted it for publishing and 2. that I was able to read it.
Very. Well. Done.
What an absolutely delightful book.
Filled with fanciful, odd, delightful, slightly horrific, and often hilarious short stories, this was the book that I didn't even know I needed until I was really into it.
Add in the author's hilarious notes sprinkled without [with some great shout-outs to a well-loved author who is a huge inspiration] and his great, heartfelt end, this was one really enjoyable read and I am so glad that 1. the author both wrote it and submitted it for publishing and 2. that I was able to read it.
Very. Well. Done.
August 28, 2023
As this was my book for Luxembourg I adored that this collection of fairy tale retellings was a bit infused with Luxembourgian flair. Specifically the mermaid story "Foundations" (a retelling of the Melusine story) and the afterword which is a foreword but at the back (yeah, you gotta read to get it).
This book is so cute and tiny and I really love this cover. The stories range, there is a strong humorous and satirical tone but always a bit of a darker shadow is lurking around, and this darker side really comes through in the "Beauty and the Beast" retelling. There is one written in poetic stanzas and one that is more than anything about creating stories and where and how they happen. Bürlesk does not hold back with creativity when it comes to these tales and I honestly really enjoyed his personal input in the after-foreword. Since these are so tiny you can squeeze one in here or there and I honestly love to have a book like this on the side, for those tiny moments where I either can't or don't want to commit to a bigger reading moment.
I must admit thought that I often prefer my fairytale retellings much darker. The edge is definitely here but to create lasting imprint on me I crave something ghastlier but isn't that more of a me problem than this book's concern? Still, some of these I read, thought they were fun and fine, moved to the next story and forgot them almost right away. But the moments where this stood out to me, those are more than worth picking this up for, plus, it's so adorably small of a book, it will not take any space in your collection or your library haul!
My Favorites:
3)Hair
2) Foundations
1) The Beauty of the Beast
+ extra shout out for the Foreword
The one I'd skip: Postcontemporary Beauty
This book is so cute and tiny and I really love this cover. The stories range, there is a strong humorous and satirical tone but always a bit of a darker shadow is lurking around, and this darker side really comes through in the "Beauty and the Beast" retelling. There is one written in poetic stanzas and one that is more than anything about creating stories and where and how they happen. Bürlesk does not hold back with creativity when it comes to these tales and I honestly really enjoyed his personal input in the after-foreword. Since these are so tiny you can squeeze one in here or there and I honestly love to have a book like this on the side, for those tiny moments where I either can't or don't want to commit to a bigger reading moment.
I must admit thought that I often prefer my fairytale retellings much darker. The edge is definitely here but to create lasting imprint on me I crave something ghastlier but isn't that more of a me problem than this book's concern? Still, some of these I read, thought they were fun and fine, moved to the next story and forgot them almost right away. But the moments where this stood out to me, those are more than worth picking this up for, plus, it's so adorably small of a book, it will not take any space in your collection or your library haul!
My Favorites:
3)Hair
2) Foundations
1) The Beauty of the Beast
+ extra shout out for the Foreword
The one I'd skip: Postcontemporary Beauty
March 9, 2025
A creative twist on fairytales, featuring Rapunzel, a mermaid and arthurian legends. I mostly enjoyed the poem about Bluebeard and the darker version of Beauty and the Beast.
Some stories more gruesome than the children versions and others took a more humorous approach, which I enjoyed immensely. There is still very much a fairytale or fable atmosphere, but there are new elements added to it, like fears and worries these characters might have, a new modern setting or a new POV. It heightens the experience and makes you relive the stories again. I had a great time trying to figure out which characters were going to appear in each short story.
The author also added humour and sarcasm, while also being critical and impactful. What I also liked is what the author does with the book. He tries using the concept of a book in a new original way. He uses the element of a book and mixes them up by putting them differently. The afterword as the second chapter and the foreword at the end of the book.
Some stories more gruesome than the children versions and others took a more humorous approach, which I enjoyed immensely. There is still very much a fairytale or fable atmosphere, but there are new elements added to it, like fears and worries these characters might have, a new modern setting or a new POV. It heightens the experience and makes you relive the stories again. I had a great time trying to figure out which characters were going to appear in each short story.
The author also added humour and sarcasm, while also being critical and impactful. What I also liked is what the author does with the book. He tries using the concept of a book in a new original way. He uses the element of a book and mixes them up by putting them differently. The afterword as the second chapter and the foreword at the end of the book.
March 20, 2021
A book written by a Luxembourger in English! A real rarity :D and I'm glad it's the first novel I read by one.
This book is a collection of short tales inspired on fairytales (From Luxembourg and abroad). However, it drips with dark humour and satire all the way through. I loved it.
I also read the foreword and afterword from the author since they're quite funny (usually I skip these, so yay!). And I also really liked he explains about his background and country, which made it more personal than other authors.
Also, the title is intriguing, and if you want to know more about it, read the book.
This book is a collection of short tales inspired on fairytales (From Luxembourg and abroad). However, it drips with dark humour and satire all the way through. I loved it.
I also read the foreword and afterword from the author since they're quite funny (usually I skip these, so yay!). And I also really liked he explains about his background and country, which made it more personal than other authors.
Also, the title is intriguing, and if you want to know more about it, read the book.
October 5, 2024
Read around the world project - Luxembourg
Quirky collection of fairy tale retellings (e.g. Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Princess and the Frog). Didn't learn much about Luxembourg and I'm not sure how long these will stick with me, but it was a quick read.
Quirky collection of fairy tale retellings (e.g. Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Princess and the Frog). Didn't learn much about Luxembourg and I'm not sure how long these will stick with me, but it was a quick read.
October 19, 2022
This was my read the world selection for Luxembourg.
This book is a collection of short stories and poems based on legends and fairytales - although not quite as you know them!
What a quirky, amusing little book! The author includes satire and wicked humour in his collection of re-tellings that I found amusing and entertaining. I think most readers will recognize the fairy tales, although there was one about Luxembourg that I wasn’t familiar with, which was still entertaining.
He has also included an Afterword at the beginning of this book and a Foreword at the end, so if this alone appeals to you then you know you should be picking this book up 😉 A great, entertaining little find. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
This book is a collection of short stories and poems based on legends and fairytales - although not quite as you know them!
What a quirky, amusing little book! The author includes satire and wicked humour in his collection of re-tellings that I found amusing and entertaining. I think most readers will recognize the fairy tales, although there was one about Luxembourg that I wasn’t familiar with, which was still entertaining.
He has also included an Afterword at the beginning of this book and a Foreword at the end, so if this alone appeals to you then you know you should be picking this book up 😉 A great, entertaining little find. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
February 17, 2024
I can see why this book won an encouragement award. There’s a lot of good stuff here. I enjoyed learning more about Luxembourg’s legends, and the author has a couple of creative stories where he retells well known fairytales. He is creative and funny with a dry, sarcastic sense of humor. I do think the structure of some of the stories is a bit messy, it could use a good editor to tighten it up. And there were maybe two stories I really didn’t care for. My favourite story was the first one by far, it was perfect. Overall, I look forward to seeing what he will write in the future.
I read this as past of my reading around the world challenge, Luxembourg pick.
I read this as past of my reading around the world challenge, Luxembourg pick.
May 21, 2025
So I came across this challenge on booktok, I think by LydLoves where it's "Read the World Challege". I think that's the name. My first country was Luxembourg so I choose this book. This book wasn't a bad book I just think it depends on the person reading it and how you understand it. For me there was some enjoyable parts to it. But all in all I gave it a 2/5 star ratings. But I also like the little stories about the fairytale, I'm not sure how to describe what I mean. Would I recommend? I would say give it a shot and see if it's a book that might interest you.
May 22, 2025
I was so charmed when I read this eek
This is basically a very short anthology of a myriad of fairy tales and legends like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast but through a darker, more satirical / ironic point of view. It’s pretty funny and really really weird but really good. I wish there were more of it but it was indeed very silly and I did find pleasure as I drowned in the stories sooo 8/10
This is basically a very short anthology of a myriad of fairy tales and legends like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast but through a darker, more satirical / ironic point of view. It’s pretty funny and really really weird but really good. I wish there were more of it but it was indeed very silly and I did find pleasure as I drowned in the stories sooo 8/10
June 11, 2024
2 stars feels low and unfair for this collection, but did I enjoy it? Not quite.
This was a satirical and near-irreverent spin on fairytales and folklore. Burlesk’s writing is truly fun, but this collection just didn’t quite scratch that itch. Would love to read more from them in the future, but this bind up wasn’t for me.
This was a satirical and near-irreverent spin on fairytales and folklore. Burlesk’s writing is truly fun, but this collection just didn’t quite scratch that itch. Would love to read more from them in the future, but this bind up wasn’t for me.
January 1, 2026
This author has a funny way of writing, and I like the quirkiness of this book in general. Some of the stories were more my type of story than others, which is a normal occurrence for a short story collection. I had fun; it was short and a wonderful way to start the year. There indeed was some pleasure in drowning.
August 28, 2023
Around-the-world #166: Luxembourg 🇱🇺.
Somewhat interesting short stories, mostly in the fantasy genre. The key to the plot is often hidden in the last sentences, making you wonder what you are reading most of the time.
Somewhat interesting short stories, mostly in the fantasy genre. The key to the plot is often hidden in the last sentences, making you wonder what you are reading most of the time.
January 26, 2022
This is one extremely strange and oddly entertaining little book. I enjoyed reading it.
November 16, 2023
Nice little collection of short retelling of fairytales
February 19, 2025
3.5✨
some of the short stories were really cool, others were not that special, so I have mixed feelings but all in all it was cool. This was for my reading around the world challenge - Luxembourg
some of the short stories were really cool, others were not that special, so I have mixed feelings but all in all it was cool. This was for my reading around the world challenge - Luxembourg
March 26, 2025
New take in unexpected direction on fairy tales and author telling a story.
May 10, 2025
What a delightfully strange little book
May 10, 2025
Enjoyable reinterpretations of several classic fairy tales.
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June 26, 2025Luxembourg
November 24, 2025
Some stories were entertaining, but I just could not take the collection seriously. The fact that the foreword was 30% of the book was quite off putting, not because it was at the end, but because it was a bunch of non sense about the author, that could have been clearly better suited for Wikipedia. Two stars because some of the takes on the fairytales were clever.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews