Under a Glass Bell

by Anaïs Nin

Book Overview

"Under a Glass Bell" is one of Nin's finest collections of stories. First published in 1944, it attracted the attention of Edmond Wilson, who reviewed the collection in "The New Yorker." It was in these stories that Nin's artistic and emotional vision took shape. This edition includes a highly informative and insightful foreword by Gunther Stuhlmann that places the collection in its historical context as well as illuminates the sequence of events and persons recorded in the diary that served as its inspiration. Although Under a Glass Bell is now considered one of Anais Nin s finest collections of stories, it was initially deemed unpublishable. Refusing to give up on her vision, in 1944 Nin founded her own press and brought out the first edition, illustrated with striking black-and-white engravings by her husband, Hugh Guiler. Shortly thereafter, it caught the attention of literary critic Edmund Wilson, who reviewed the collection in the New Yorker. The first printing sold out in three weeks. This new Swallow Press edition includes an introduction by noted modernist scholar Elizabeth Podnieks, as well as editor Gunther Stuhlmann s erudite but controversial foreword to the 1995 edition. Together, they place the collection in its historical context and sort out the individuals and events recorded in the diary that served as its inspiration. The new Swallow Press edition also restores the thirteen stories to the order Nin specified for the first commercial edition in 1948."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804003025
• ISBN13: 9780804003025
• Release Date: January 1948
• Publisher: Swallow Press
• Length: 101 Pages
• Weight: 0.33 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Nin's Narcissistic Short Stories

Anyone familiar with Nin knows she is one of THE most narcissistic authors of all time. Throughout each and every story, we get a feel each and every story HAS to relate to Nin in some way...its almost a book of staccato self-realization stories rather than pure fiction. It is almost silly at some times, all stories have the small heroine envying the larger-than-life male figure(s) and having a feeling of displacement. I recommend this book only if you are a Nin-lover and ready for some stories that could come from nowhere but her own pen (or typewriter).

The Fruits of Surrealism

Anais Nin did not adhere to the traditions of story-telling. Formulaic plots, character arcs, and realistic descriptions didn't interest her. She was a master of character analysis and description -- instead of watching her characters move through the story, you, as the reader, move through the characters. This was because Nin was experimenting with a new artistic movement called surrealism and she ended up being one of its brightest stars.Because of Edmund Wilson's favorable review (and he was, of course, the king of critics) this was the collection of stories that finally brought Nin's work to the attention of public. Her writing style is simply stunning. Imagine distilling a story, as one distills a liquid, down to the final crystals. Or creating a beautiful and poetic ritual out of something mundane (such as the Geisha's tea ceremony). I think my personal favorites in this collection are "Ragtime," an amazing description of the poverty-stricken rag-picking community in 1930s Paris, "The Mouse," about Nin's fearful maid, and "Birth," the now notorious story about Nin's abortion. Seem like ugly topics? You'd be amazed at how beautiful Nin can render them.It takes a sensitive reader to understand Anais Nin's writing, but if you are that, I think you will find value in these stories.

Dream Words

In this intoxicating collection of short stories, Anais Nin delves into the lush imagery of dreams. Her stories touch on issues we carry deep within our unconscious - ideas of ephemerality, sexual identity, experiences of childhood and many others.Her passion for "transmutation" is evident, as she blends a dream-like hyper-reality into incisive observations of the human experience. Whether exploring human suffering, the fields of memory or the awakenings of artisitc awareness, Nin's writing uncovers new layers of meaning. Her stories seem to glow with a sublime light.This is a slim book, but it begs several re-readings. It will draw you back, both for its excellent example of one woman's contribution to the modernist literary movement, and for its pure lyricism. Nin's imagery will haunt you long after you've turned the last page.