The Ice Virgin : Essential Novellas and Stories

A whimsical and ironic collection of Hans Christian Andersen''s short fiction for adults, uniting imagination, stunning prose, and subtle social analysis.

“At once sparkling and frighteningly deep… Andersen''s writing is a joy.” —Wall Street Journal

Though best known for his beloved children’s fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen also penned a wide breadth of fiction for adults that similarly captures his magical and descriptive brilliance while engaging with darker social themes.

In this fantastical collection, Andersen turns his eye to the changing social conditions of 19th-century Europe: newfound class mobility; the unfairness with which talents and opportunities are meted out in this world; and the struggle between nature''s claims on humanity and civilizations. Containing 2 novellas and 3 short stories, this vibrant collection includes:

• The Ice Virgin
• A Story from the Dunes
• Everything in its Right Place
• What One Can Think Of
• What Old Johanne Told

Masterpiece among them is the titular novella, a beautifully structured exploration of the true meaning of happiness that follows an orphaned man’s stubbornness to survive in the stunning yet unforgiving mountain landscape of Switzerland. Whether we meet a shipwrecked youngster struggling to fit into his adopted community, or a steadfast friend whose saintly patience is ill rewarded by the object of her loyalty, Andersen’s stories masterfully balance beauty and tragedy against the backdrop of a changing Europe.

Full of irony, enchanting imagery and bravura prose, these stories showcase Andersen''s perceptiveness, empathy, and deep engagement with the world around him.