''Under a Glass Bell'', originally published in 1944 and subsequently published with several more editions, was the first book by

Anaïs Nin Angela Anaïs Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y Culmell (February 11, 1903 – January 14, 1977; , ) was a French-born American diarist, essayist, novelist, and writer of short stories and erotica. Born to Cuban parents in France, Nin was the d ...

to gain attention from the literary establishment. It was published by Nin's own printing press, which she named Gemor Press. The book is a collection of short stories, with topics ranging from diary keeping ("The Labyrinth"), to life in Paris ("Houseboat"), to a late-term abortion ("The Birth").

Publication history

The first edition of the book contained 8 short stories and a foreword, written in the late 1930s and early 1940s. As the book was republished, in 1947 Nin added two more novellas, a prose poem and another story. The 1948 edition removed the prose poem and foreword, but added four more short stories. The 1957 edition removed the two novellas; and that edition would remain in reprint until 1995 until Swallow Press/Ohio University Press republished it with a rearranged order of stories.

Reception

''Kirkus Reviews'' wrote that "Once again Miss Nin creates dream images, illusions of unreality and insanity with poetic if incomprehensible phrases, forming a montage of exotic impressions -- all nebulous."

Publication history

Reception

References

Further reading