Every year, I used to read my daughter a beautiful, illustrated re-telling of the Nutcracker, as one of her Christmas books. It was one of the markers that we had reached the Christmas time.
She’s too old for all that now. I miss it. And I wonder if there is an adult book — either a classic or piece of literary fiction — that could evoke the same feelings and associations.
For me, the essential elements were:
* The story is set in the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries, in Central or Eastern Europe.
* It’s set against a backdrop of, or at least features, grand houses, palaces, balls and parties.
* Elements of the story at least take place at Christmas or in Winter. A bonus for ice and snow.
* There is a sinister undertone to at least some elements of the plot.
Magic or magical realism is fine, but not essential.
It’s a lot to ask, I know, but can anyone think of anything? Maybe a German, Austrian or Russian classic? Or something else.
I’m open to, and grateful for, any suggestions.
​
by LttischWitness8726
1 Comment
You’d like, I think, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern; it practically is 99% of what you’ve described, though obv not the same story – but 19th century setting, magic realism, sinister undertones, sugary confections, the lot, and ice/snow/etc thrown in.