All of the short stories in the collection Anecdotes of Destiny (1958), including "Babette's Feast," were written by Dinesen in the 1950s for American magazines and American readers.

Karen Blixen (as Isak Dinesen) is best known for Out of Africa (1937). Largely based on her actual experiences in Africa trying to operate successful coffee farms, this book remains popular because of its descriptions of landscape, animals, and people and its honest portrayal of a difficult lifestyle.

Like Water for Chocolate (1992) is Laura Esquivel's magical yet realistic novel about the emotional and spiritual effects food can have. The novel is set in Mexico and tells the story of a young woman forced to allow her sister to marry her lover. Her ability to cook, however, includes the ability to use her emotions and passions as ingredients.

Einar Molland's Church Life in Norway: 1800&mdash...