In Anjet Daanje's expansive historical novel The Song of Stork and Dromedary, readers are treated to a rare literary phenomenon, a work that captures the haunting soul of the 19th and early 20th centuries while maintaining a sharp, contemporary metaphysical edge. Expertly translated from the Dutch by David McKay, the novel is a triumph of linguistic versatility. McKay renders Daanje's distinct, rhythmic prose and character tones adroitly, alongside the atmospheric dread and luminous beauty that epitomizes her writing.
The Song of Stork and Dromedary is an intricately structured epic, told through 11 interconnected stories that spiral outward from Eliza May Drayden, a character inspired by Emily Brontë. Eliza May and her sister, Millicent, each pseudonymously write what will become canonical texts of English literature, Millicent's Widow revered initially and Eliza May's Haegar Mass considered offensive and potentially dangerous.
Set largely on the rugged moors of Yorkshire, Daanje's novel follows Eliza May's impact after her death, tracing how her enigmatic poems, difficult novel, and the ghostly aura of her brief life infuse the lives of those who knew her. Her influence further spreads to those who come after, people affected by her work and whose own lives parallel aspects of hers. This is a portrayal of hauntings, not solely the gothic, spectral variety, but of the way art can cast shadows across centuries. Daanje has crafted an unforgettable meditation: the prose is lush, the emotional stakes are visceral, and the intellectual depth is impressive. The Song of Stork and Dromedary is a work that demands to be read slowly and savored over the course of its 736 pages. --Elizabeth DeNoma, executive editor, DeNoma Literary Services, Seattle, Wash.