I have a new review up at Shiny New Books I’d like to share with you today, and it’s from an author who’s been receiving much acclamation recently as her works have begun to be translated into English. The book is The Trouble with Happiness and Other Stories and it’s by the Danish author Tove Ditlevsen, translated by Michael Favala Goldman.
Ditlevsen’s autofictional Copenhagen Trilogy was released by Penguin in 2019, receiving extensive coverage and praise. I read and loved the first part, Childhood, and so was very keen to explore the new collection of short stories. It’s a wonderful collection of stories, ranging from the more straightforward to the experimental, and the works often cover what I refer to as the domestic tension underlying many relationships. I can highly recommend the book, and you can read my full review here!
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
Apr 07, 2022 @ 12:02:56
Thanks Kaggsy, I’ll give this a try. I read the Copenhagen Trilogy a year or so ago and thought it was excellent. The Faces, about Ditlevsen’s struggles with her mental health, is very good too.
Apr 07, 2022 @ 19:21:59
I do recommend these! I’ve only read the first book of the Trilogy but it’s very powerful – will keep an eye out for The Faces too!
Apr 07, 2022 @ 13:54:49
Just popped over to read your thoughts at SNB & was not surprised to discover you liked (very much) the collection! I loved the Copenhagen Trilogy when I read it earlier this year and planned to continue with Ditlevsen’s fiction, much of which I understood to be strongly autobiographical. Faces is newly available in the U.S., with Trouble to follow shortly; now if I can just find the time/energy to squeeze them in . . . .
Apr 07, 2022 @ 19:21:17
I really do like her writing so far, and must get back to the Trilogy. These are great stories – I hope you can fit them in somewhere!!
Apr 07, 2022 @ 20:08:53
Ooh fantastic, I’ll look out for this. I still have to read the third of her childhood memoirs.
Apr 07, 2022 @ 20:17:16
It’s really good, Ali – I do like her writing and must get on to the second and third of the Trilogy – I’ve only read the first so far!
Apr 08, 2022 @ 01:20:57
I’ve been a fence-sitter about picking up Ditlevsen’s work, but these stories might be a way in for me. A thoroughly interesting write-up about them!
Apr 09, 2022 @ 07:59:03
Thank you! I think these would definitely be a good way in to find out if you like her writing!
Apr 09, 2022 @ 16:18:57
This does sound a compelling read; her portrayal of child narrators is especially interesting.
Apr 09, 2022 @ 16:42:30
I think she’s very good at the child’s voice; she captures that confusion and uncertainty about what’s happening around them in the adult world in a very convincing way!