Tales of Two Countries

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

8663

Title

Tales of Two Countries

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A collection of satirical novellas and sketches by Alexander Lange Kielland, translated by William Archer. Blending French stylistic clarity with Norwegian realism, the work explores the lives of the bourgeoisie, the struggles of the working class, and the complexities of love and marriage. With a tone ranging from witty epigram to serious social critique, it offers a vivid portrait of provincial life and the human condition.

Summary up to 500 words

Alexander Lange Kielland's *Tales of Two Countries* presents a collection of stories that, while styled as light sketches, reveal a profound and often satirical examination of human nature, social hypocrisy, and the corruption of the individual by society. Introduced by H. H. Boyesen, the volume traces Kielland's evolution from a promising young man in Stavanger to a distinguished writer whose work bridges the gap between aristocratic background and deep sympathy for the toiling masses. The collection utilizes a 'Gallic perspicacity of style' to expose the 'wrong side' of humanity. In tales like *Pharaoh*, a revolutionary note trembles beneath calm language, while *Romance and Reality* offers a biting satire on the transition from pre- to post-matrimonial love. *At the Fair* strips away the festive veneer of public displays to reveal the squalor, envy, and greed hidden in the shadows. Kielland employs reticence, allowing the moral weight of these narratives to speak for itself rather than relying on explicit philosophical moralizing. The book serves as a precursor to Kielland's later, more serious novels like *Garman and Worse* and *Laboring People*, where his democratic proclivities and focus on social corruption become fully pronounced. In *Romance and Reality*, the narrative follows the contrasting lives of Charles and Alphonse in Paris. Charles, the frugal and industrious partner, eventually watches his friend Alphonse, the brilliant but dissipated socialite, spiral into debt and ruin. The story culminates in a moment of tragic irony: Charles, driven by a desire for revenge and a belief that sentiment cannot guide business, waits for Alphonse's downfall. However, upon learning that Alphonse has paid off his debts and secured his future, Charles's calculated vindictiveness collapses, leaving him with a sense of meaningless loss. Through vivid descriptions of provincial towns and their inhabitants, Kielland brings characters like the pious Sara Torvested and the sea-dog Jacob Worse to life, examining the psychological depths of their struggles against societal expectations. The collection stands as a testament to Kielland's ability to polish the Norwegian language with French-like incisiveness, creating a work that is both entertaining and deeply critical of the artificiality of civilization and the corrupting influence of the higher classes upon the lower.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• Fiction