I stumbled upon this collection by pure chance, and I’m so glad I did. Juliane Déry, who wrote in the late 19th century, has a voice that cuts straight through the years.

The Story

This isn't one single story, but a series of short tales (novellas) all centered on the idea of a 'catastrophe.' Don't expect earthquakes or wars. Déry’s disasters are intimate. A promising engagement is destroyed by a single whispered rumor. A family's security vanishes overnight due to a bad investment. A woman's entire sense of self is upended by a chance encounter. The plots are tight, often revolving around a single, devastating moment that changes everything for the characters.

Why You Should Read It

Déry has an incredible eye for social detail and emotional truth. Her characters feel real—their hopes, their fears, and the strict rules of their society that box them in. Reading it, you get a powerful sense of the immense pressure on people, especially women, during that time. The prose is clean and direct, which makes the emotional punches land even harder. It’s a masterclass in showing how big life can feel in small drawing rooms.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for readers who love historical fiction but want to get away from kings and queens. It’s for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories about resilience, social pressure, and the quiet moments that define a life. A truly rewarding find for fans of classic European literature looking to expand their shelves beyond the usual big names.