The cloak of dreams

More about the book

A man transforms into a flea and must unite his future parents to regain his humanity. A woman persuades a river god to heal her sick son, but the outcome is mixed. A young man faces a choice between his wife's soul and body, while two deaf mutes rise above their physical limitations in a dreamlike garden. These strange and fantastical tales by Béla Balázs (1884-1949), a Hungarian writer and film critic, delve into themes of friendship, alienation, and Taoist philosophy. Translated and introduced by fairy tale expert Jack Zipes, this collection features sixteen haunting stories originally published in 1921, accompanied by twenty Chinese-style illustrations by Mariette Lydis. The tales highlight recurring motifs such as wandering protagonists, mysterious landscapes, solitude, and magical transformations. Balázs's fairy tales articulate our deepest desires and the possibility of transcending adversity to shape our destinies. With their unusual narratives and exploration of life's cruelties and unexpected turns, these enchanting stories promise to entertain, startle, and intrigue readers.