Trouble with Happiness: And Other Stories | 
pickThe trouble with happiness, according to these stories, is that it's elusive, fleeting, and perhaps even unattainable. Situations that are supposed to bring happiness (love, marriage, parenthood, a new home, a trip to the mountains) usually disappoint. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, but men suffer too. There is a fait accompli about it all. Not so much a why bother as a why would one expect otherwise? In spite of this bleak 👇
merelybookish Outlook, I enjoyed this collection. Ditlevsen's writing is plain but nuanced. Her simple descriptions capture so much. And she speaks honestly about how institutions like marriage and the nuclear family can leave people lonely, hurt & sad. 2y
Nute It‘s the exact type of writing that I enjoy. 2y
vivastory I see my library has a copy of this. Placing a hold on it immediately. Plain but nuanced writing is some of my favorite. Would you say that her style in the stories is similar to the style in The Copenhagen Trilogy? 2y
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merelybookish @Nute Then you should definitely check it out! 2y
merelybookish @vivastory Yes, I would say the style is similar (also has same translator I believe). She writes plainly about brutal things. It appears so simple, almost artless, until you remember how difficult that kind of simplicity is to achieve. 2y
vivastory It's interesting that she is having a moment right now. I think it's fantastic, but it always catches me off guard a bit when a translated author takes off. I remember when Bolano hit it big with The Savage Detectives (which I still prefer over 2666 & interestingly is apparently considered his masterpiece in LA countries) 2y
merelybookish @vivastory I guess new translations and a round of reviews help! And some creepy covers. 😆 But I believe Ditlevsen has always been pretty popular in Denmark, both during her lifetime and after her death. 2y