The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye: Five Fairy Stories Paperback – October 27, 1998

This is a collection of five stand alone stories/fairytales. I was completely enchanted with the artistry of the author’s words…A. S. Byatt’s sentences made me pause many times to ponder how immersive her word-craft was, how she made the reader understand, no “feel” her points with crystal clear expression. This is the first time I have read this author, and I am looking forward to reading more of her creations.

Such a great read, I’ve read this over and over. A.S. Byatt is an incredible writer. Do yourself a favor and buy this and more!

Ms Byatt has a huge vocabulary and writes in a quietly intelligent style. The book is not new, but the style reads vintage, think full-scentences, and scarce-slang. It's refreshing to realize someone can still write like this. It's lovely prose. If you read her more famous book, "Possession" then you know, Ms Byatt is capable of writing in the style of 19th century authors. These stories reminded me of the Andrew Lang colored fairy book stories. I was a little disappointed to realize I had read about half the included stories already in different publications. I guess that's my fault for not checking more carefully. At least one I remember from the New Yorker.The title story is the longest, about half the book. It was an interesting tale set in modern day. Some of the others are straight fairy stories which is my preference. The one about the three sisters especially captures the magic of traditional stories while at the same time being calmly non-sexist. I like that. It's a fairy tale you could read a six year old, and not have any of the weird issues that Cinderella or Snow White create.

I rarely write book reviews. This book was so beautifully written. The authors style is poetic. I reread passages multiple times as I was reading the book just because they were so pleasurable to read.Each chapter is a separate fairy tale. The last is ‘The Djinn in the Nightingale’sEye’Each story is special and the last is the best.I looked for this book after seeing previews for ‘3000 years of Longing’ and traced the story back to this book.It’s a short read, but I won’t say fast because I lingered over it, rereading passages and savoring the beauty of the writing. I highly recommend it.

Byatt draws on mythology, world travels and foreign cultures to enhance her inimitable imagination. She takes us places we have never been and some to which we can never go. I looked up Topkapi to view what she describes in the title story. The title story is nothing less than Epic in the historic, mythological, geographical and imaginative ground it covers.A.S. Byatt is an enthralling writer. Had I more time, I would share some of her amazing descriptions of both the simple and complex.I invite the astute reader to allow Byatt to envelop you in some of the most exquisite and elaborate literary tapestry you will ever experience.

I love every word. Every sentence..I only wish there had been more..truly one of those books that makes you a little sad that it's over♡

I bought this, having no familiarity with Byatt’s writing, having read an article about her incredible writing after her recent passing. This was the recommended starting book. It has the feel of old fairytales, without the warmth and without pulling one along to see what happens next, in my opinion. I was an English major and I am an avid fiction reader. I often read at bedtime and look forward to the entertainment of a good story. I found myself dreading picking this book up, I was so bored by it. I got through the initial shorter stories, hoping the longer one that makes up most of the book would appeal more to me. It didn’t. I gave up before I was half way through it. I suppose it just doesn’t suit my taste in fiction. It can’t be that she’s actually a boring writer because she has such accolades. To each his/her own!

Oh my goodness?? This book is SO good! It’s just full of beautiful storytelling. I watched “Three Thousand Years Of Longing” and was so enamored with the movie I immediately purchased the book it was based off of. The book leaves me feeling the same way. I tell everyone about it. Just wonderful. Really takes you on a journey.