All the short stories in the collection Anecdotes of Destiny (1958), including ‘‘Babette’s Feast,’’ were penned by Dinesen during the 1950s specifically for American magazines and audiences.

Karen Blixen, writing under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen, is most renowned for her work Out of Africa (1937). This book, which draws heavily from her real-life experiences attempting to run coffee farms in Africa, remains beloved for its vivid depictions of the landscape, wildlife, and people, as well as its candid portrayal of a challenging way of life.

Like Water for Chocolate (1992) is Laura Esquivel’s enchanting yet realistic novel that explores the profound emotional and spiritual impact of food. Set in Mexico, the story follows a young woman who is compelled to let her sister marry the man she loves. Nevertheless, her cooking skills are extraordinary, allowing her to infuse her dishes with her deepest emotions and passions.

Einar Molland’s Church Life in Norway: 1800–1950 (1978) provides an in-depth analysis of the state church's role in Norwegian daily life and its societal influence. Molland also delves into the theological challenges the church faced during this period and how these challenges have shaped its position in Norwegian society.