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The Society of the Crossed Keys: Selections from the Writings of Stefan Zweig, Inspirations for The Grand Budapest Hotel
'I had never heard of Zweig until six or seven years ago, as all the books began to come back into print, and I more or less by chance bought a copy of Beware of Pity. I immediately loved this book, his one, big, great novel-and suddenly there were dozens more in front of me waiting to read.' Wes Anderson
The Society of the Crossed Keys contains Wes Anderson's selections from the writings of the great Austrian author Stefan Zweig, whose life and work inspired The Grand Budapest Hotel.
A CONVERSATION WITH WES ANDERSON
Wes Anderson discusses Zweig's life and work with Zweig biographer George Prochnik.
THE WORLD OF YESTERDAY
Selected extracts from Zweig's memoir, The World of Yesterday, an unrivalled evocation of bygone Europe.
BEWARE OF PITY
An extract from Zweig's only novel, a devastating depiction of the torment of the betrayal of both honour and love.
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS IN THE LIFE OF A WOMAN
One of Stefan Zweig's best-loved stories in full-a passionate tale of gambling, love and death, played out against the stylish backdrop of the French Riviera in the 1920s.
'The World of Yesterday is one of the greatest memoirs of the twentieth century, as perfect in its evocation of the world Zweig loved, as it is in its portrayal of how that world was destroyed.' -- David Hare
'Beware of Pity is the most exciting book I have ever read...a feverish, fascinating novel' -- Antony Beevor
'One of the joys of recent years is the translation into English of Stefan Zweig's stories.'--Edmund de Waal, author of The Hare with the Amber Eyes
Stefan Zweig was born in 1881 in Vienna. He studied in Berlin and Vienna and between the wars was an international bestselling author. With the rise of Nazism, he left Austria, and lived in London, Bath, New York and Brazil, where in 1942 he and his wife were found dead in an apparent double death by suicide.
Wes Anderson's films include Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr Fox, and Moonrise Kingdom. He directed and wrote the screenplay for The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Translated by Anthea Bell
Cover illustration by Nathan Burton
272 pp
Published 13/03/2014
ISBN 9781782271079
B-Format Paperback
The Society of the Crossed Keys contains Wes Anderson's selections from the writings of the great Austrian author Stefan Zweig, whose life and work inspired The Grand Budapest Hotel.
A CONVERSATION WITH WES ANDERSON
Wes Anderson discusses Zweig's life and work with Zweig biographer George Prochnik.
THE WORLD OF YESTERDAY
Selected extracts from Zweig's memoir, The World of Yesterday, an unrivalled evocation of bygone Europe.
BEWARE OF PITY
An extract from Zweig's only novel, a devastating depiction of the torment of the betrayal of both honour and love.
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS IN THE LIFE OF A WOMAN
One of Stefan Zweig's best-loved stories in full-a passionate tale of gambling, love and death, played out against the stylish backdrop of the French Riviera in the 1920s.
'The World of Yesterday is one of the greatest memoirs of the twentieth century, as perfect in its evocation of the world Zweig loved, as it is in its portrayal of how that world was destroyed.' -- David Hare
'Beware of Pity is the most exciting book I have ever read...a feverish, fascinating novel' -- Antony Beevor
'One of the joys of recent years is the translation into English of Stefan Zweig's stories.'--Edmund de Waal, author of The Hare with the Amber Eyes
Stefan Zweig was born in 1881 in Vienna. He studied in Berlin and Vienna and between the wars was an international bestselling author. With the rise of Nazism, he left Austria, and lived in London, Bath, New York and Brazil, where in 1942 he and his wife were found dead in an apparent double death by suicide.
Wes Anderson's films include Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr Fox, and Moonrise Kingdom. He directed and wrote the screenplay for The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Translated by Anthea Bell
Cover illustration by Nathan Burton
272 pp
Published 13/03/2014
ISBN 9781782271079
B-Format Paperback
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2014
64 people are currently reading
2394 people want to read
About the author
Stefan Zweig
2,178 books10.7k followersStefan Zweig was one of the world's most famous writers during the 1920s and 1930s, especially in the U.S., South America, and Europe. He produced novels, plays, biographies, and journalist pieces. Among his most famous works are Beware of Pity, Letter from an Unknown Woman, and Mary, Queen of Scotland and the Isles. He and his second wife committed suicide in 1942.
Zweig studied in Austria, France, and Germany before settling in Salzburg in 1913. In 1934, driven into exile by the Nazis, he emigrated to England and then, in 1940, to Brazil by way of New York. Finding only growing loneliness and disillusionment in their new surroundings, he and his second wife committed suicide.
Zweig's interest in psychology and the teachings of Sigmund Freud led to his most characteristic work, the subtle portrayal of character. Zweig's essays include studies of Honoré de Balzac, Charles Dickens, and Fyodor Dostoevsky (Drei Meister, 1920; Three Masters) and of Friedrich Hölderlin, Heinrich von Kleist, and Friedrich Nietzsche (Der Kampf mit dem Dämon, 1925; Master Builders). He achieved popularity with Sternstunden der Menschheit (1928; The Tide of Fortune), five historical portraits in miniature. He wrote full-scale, intuitive rather than objective, biographies of the French statesman Joseph Fouché (1929), Mary Stuart (1935), and others. His stories include those in Verwirrung der Gefühle (1925; Conflicts). He also wrote a psychological novel, Ungeduld des Herzens (1938; Beware of Pity), and translated works of Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, and Emile Verhaeren.
Most recently, his works provided the inspiration for 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Zweig studied in Austria, France, and Germany before settling in Salzburg in 1913. In 1934, driven into exile by the Nazis, he emigrated to England and then, in 1940, to Brazil by way of New York. Finding only growing loneliness and disillusionment in their new surroundings, he and his second wife committed suicide.
Zweig's interest in psychology and the teachings of Sigmund Freud led to his most characteristic work, the subtle portrayal of character. Zweig's essays include studies of Honoré de Balzac, Charles Dickens, and Fyodor Dostoevsky (Drei Meister, 1920; Three Masters) and of Friedrich Hölderlin, Heinrich von Kleist, and Friedrich Nietzsche (Der Kampf mit dem Dämon, 1925; Master Builders). He achieved popularity with Sternstunden der Menschheit (1928; The Tide of Fortune), five historical portraits in miniature. He wrote full-scale, intuitive rather than objective, biographies of the French statesman Joseph Fouché (1929), Mary Stuart (1935), and others. His stories include those in Verwirrung der Gefühle (1925; Conflicts). He also wrote a psychological novel, Ungeduld des Herzens (1938; Beware of Pity), and translated works of Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine, and Emile Verhaeren.
Most recently, his works provided the inspiration for 2014 film The Grand Budapest Hotel.
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March 18, 2021
Uvek je lepo vratiti se Cvajgu, naročito kada se radi o izboru jednog od tvojih omiljenih reditelja.
Na početku knjige izdvaja se intervju koji je zapravo više diskusija između Vesa Andersona i esejiste Pročnika koji je ekspert za Cvajga. Tu se njih dvojica udubljuju u Štefanov život, dela, simboliku, lepotu stvaralaštva i naravno Ves priča šta je to što ga je naročito privuklo Cvajgu i na koji način je dobio inspiraciju za Grand Budapest Hotel.
Potom slede delovi iz Cvajgovih memoara i baš sam uživala u prikazima društva i događaja iz perioda njegove mladosti. Posebno je zanimljivo kako piše o muško-ženskim odnosima, kako su mladi bili na neki način ugnjetavani socijalnim konvencijama i kako je strašno što su devojke morale da budu utegnute u korsete i da večito vode računa o tome da li su pokrivene, očešljane... pa kako je to sve uticalo na njihovu seksualnost i potiskivanje strasti. Cvajg feminista.
Nakon četiri poglavlja iz memoara,dato nam je svega tridesetak stranica njegovog romana Beware of Pity/Ungeduld des Herzens, dovoljno da poželim da ga opet pročitam.
I za kraj, Dvadeset četiri sata iz života jedne žene, novela koja mi je takođe poznata.
Ovo možda jeste knjiga za fanove Cvajgovog i Andersonovog opusa, ali je takođe super ako ste "početnik" i želite da se upoznate sa Cvajgom i vidite šta može da vam ponudi.
Saudade u svakom slučaju uvek pršti, to vam je zagarantovano.
Na početku knjige izdvaja se intervju koji je zapravo više diskusija između Vesa Andersona i esejiste Pročnika koji je ekspert za Cvajga. Tu se njih dvojica udubljuju u Štefanov život, dela, simboliku, lepotu stvaralaštva i naravno Ves priča šta je to što ga je naročito privuklo Cvajgu i na koji način je dobio inspiraciju za Grand Budapest Hotel.
Potom slede delovi iz Cvajgovih memoara i baš sam uživala u prikazima društva i događaja iz perioda njegove mladosti. Posebno je zanimljivo kako piše o muško-ženskim odnosima, kako su mladi bili na neki način ugnjetavani socijalnim konvencijama i kako je strašno što su devojke morale da budu utegnute u korsete i da večito vode računa o tome da li su pokrivene, očešljane... pa kako je to sve uticalo na njihovu seksualnost i potiskivanje strasti. Cvajg feminista.
Nakon četiri poglavlja iz memoara,dato nam je svega tridesetak stranica njegovog romana Beware of Pity/Ungeduld des Herzens, dovoljno da poželim da ga opet pročitam.
I za kraj, Dvadeset četiri sata iz života jedne žene, novela koja mi je takođe poznata.
Ovo možda jeste knjiga za fanove Cvajgovog i Andersonovog opusa, ali je takođe super ako ste "početnik" i želite da se upoznate sa Cvajgom i vidite šta može da vam ponudi.
Saudade u svakom slučaju uvek pršti, to vam je zagarantovano.
May 23, 2017
You should read this if you watched and loved The Grand Budapest Hotel 💕I had some Stefan Zweig books before seeing the film and tried to get into them but found them difficult. This book sort of eases you into it. It includes Zweig's memoir (the most beautiful, dream like and heartbreaking prose I've ever read) an excerpt from one story and another full short story - all 3 which were the inspiration for the film. The introduction to it all is a conversation between Wes Anderson and Zweig's biographer which is insightful to the relationship between the author and the film.
.
You shouldn't read this if you're expecting a novelisation to the film. Anderson took Zweig's dreamy narration, some visual imagery, hints of a few characters and that's pretty much it.
.
Favourite Quote: "Formerly a man had only a body and a soul. Now he needs a passport as well for without it he will not be treated as a human being."
.
You shouldn't read this if you're expecting a novelisation to the film. Anderson took Zweig's dreamy narration, some visual imagery, hints of a few characters and that's pretty much it.
.
Favourite Quote: "Formerly a man had only a body and a soul. Now he needs a passport as well for without it he will not be treated as a human being."
April 7, 2015
An excellent sampler of Stefan Zweig's works. The conversation between Wes Anderson and Zweig's biographer Prochnick that begins the book contains informative dialogues of how Zweig had inspired Anderson, who had then in turn selected excerpts from the author's works to compile this volume. They include chapters from his autobiography The World of Yesterday, and his only novel Beware of Pity. After that is the whole short story "Twenty-four Hours in the Life of a Woman", which is a must-read for those who want a quick taste of this brilliant writer. Stefan Zweig writes with the psycho-analytical depth like Freud, reflective like Proust, and tells a story like Maugham, no, with more colours and drama.
August 24, 2017
Stefan Zweig is an author who I very much admire, and Wes Anderson is my favourite director. Why, then, would I not have picked up The Society of the Crossed Keys, which is a collection of Zweig's writings that influenced Anderson's 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'? The interview between Anderson and one of Zweig's biographers, George Prochnik, is both enlightening and charming. Fascinating and beautiful in its entirety, The Society of the Crossed Keys is a wonderful addition to the bookshelf of any Anderson/Zweig fan, of which I am sure there are many.
February 5, 2023
Interesting collection of stories, I will be reading more of Zweig’s rich and saturated writings.
January 27, 2015
4 stars based almost entirely on the story at the end of the book, the achingly beautiful "24 Hours in the Life of a Woman'. Holy Moses.
June 18, 2020
Zweig writes with a spectral grimness, always with the threat of the end—be it of the sentence, the book, or of life itself—looming. Many of his works take the form of recounted stories; our protagonists function as little more than someone to listen, an authorial figure who records the story told to them by the truer protagonist: the one whose story makes up the bulk of the work. These people meet quite often in spa towns, viennese cafe societies, grand hotels, salons, dinner parties or riviera guesthouses. In short their stories are steeped in an innate Europeanness, a Europeanness of such grace, wealth, and splendour that it could only belong to the turn of the century? the last vestiges of 19th century grandeur. By the time Zweig writes, in the early half of the 20th century, we know this world is long gone. Similarly, in having the stories be recounted and retold by their now aged, nostalgic protagonists looking back with regret, we are already aware of their ending: Zweig toys with disappointment, and the omen-like knowledge of the present, to depict the sentimental world of the past with a grim sort of naivety as it steps gracefully into sepia obscurity.
This is most poignantly mirrored in Zweig himself: he is made famous in part thanks to his suicide, cast out from his beloved europe as it falls to fascism. The fateful war then is ominously present throughout all of Zweig’s writing, his europe of the past and his presence as a young student haunted by the rise of nazism, and his eventual death
This is most poignantly mirrored in Zweig himself: he is made famous in part thanks to his suicide, cast out from his beloved europe as it falls to fascism. The fateful war then is ominously present throughout all of Zweig’s writing, his europe of the past and his presence as a young student haunted by the rise of nazism, and his eventual death
July 30, 2019
Me ha gustado la parte de The world of tomorrow, me encanta leer su vida y sentir que puedo llegar a entender una milésima del intelecto de este hombre. En general, todo me recordaba tanto al Gran hotel budapest que no podía no gustarme.
April 3, 2025
Une belle sélection d'écrits de Zweig, qui m'a donné envie d'en lire plus de cet auteur! On comprend en les lisant ce qui a inspiré Wes Anderson pour son film The Grand Budapest Hotel, je recommande donc ce recueil aux fans du film!
March 24, 2014
This book has been published to coincide with the release of the Grand Budapest Hotel unlike other film related books this maintains the simple styling of the other Zweig books published by Pushkin Press.
Stefan Zweig was a massive name in literature in the first half of the twentieth century although his fame seems to have missed Britain. He wrote novellas and novels, plays and biographies; and his work was adapted for stage and film both in Europe and in Hollywood. He was a star, but by the start of the 21st century his work was virtually unknown. That is until the wonderful Pushkin Press started republishing his works. Now an extensive collection of his writing is available in English. I first came across Zweig when a copy of Beware of Pity came into the shop, as a massive fan of central European literature and of anything relating to the Hapsburg empire especially I knew that I would enjoy this novel about the concept of honour in the Austrian officer class in the run up to the First World War. I was right, the novel is wonderful I urge anyone who has any interest in the period to read it. Since then I've been able to read a fair few of Zweig's other works, some of his biographies and a few of his novellas, each one has been a perfect self contained piece of writing.
When I heard that there was going to be a new film made to encapsulate the essence of Zweig I got rather excited; even more so when I discovered that it was to be filmed at the incomparable Grandhotel Pupp in the old imperial spa town Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad during the Hapsburg period) and would be starring Ralph Fiennes. It all sounded perfect. So I was very keen to read the accompanying book that was published to go alongside the film. I was right to be keen, The Society of the Crossed Keys is a wonderful introduction to all things Zweig. It features a selection of his writings that offers snapshot of his range and style. Of greatest interest to me was the selected chapters taken from Zweig's memoirs, The World of Yesterday. I loved the depiction of early 20th century Vienna. I read as much as I can about this area and period, and am always so pleased to see just how little seems to have changed in the hundred years or so between then and when I lived in the city. These selections manage to be absolutely fascinating as well as amusing and containing some hints of the darkness that would soon overshadow everything else in the region. The section about University life is just marvellous. It combines a timeless account of student life with the idea of honour amongst students that is so uniquely Germanic.
As an introduction to Zweig's fiction we are given an extract from Beware of Pity, that nicely continues this idea of honour being paramount. This is only a short extract, but it is enough to capture a flavour of the rest of the novel.
The novella Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Woman is included in it's entirety, this is a very stylish story set against the backdrop of the French Riviera in the 1920s. This almost reminded me of the Ford Maddox Ford story The Good Soldier. As with most Zweig stories this is a tale wrapped up in another tale, he was extremely fond of writing little onions that had layers to peel back. This story is an absolute gem, the characterisation of the female characters is superb. It is a joy to read writing of this standard, especially when the translation is so sympathetically done.
To top the book off there is a transcript of a conversation between Wes Anderson, the director of The Grand Budapest Hotel, and George Prochnik who is Zweig's biographer. This gives an insight into why Zweig's life and work has started to fascinate readers again. So many of his novellas seem to be ripe for a new audience and this book alongside the film should open up his work to many many more people.
Stefan Zweig was a massive name in literature in the first half of the twentieth century although his fame seems to have missed Britain. He wrote novellas and novels, plays and biographies; and his work was adapted for stage and film both in Europe and in Hollywood. He was a star, but by the start of the 21st century his work was virtually unknown. That is until the wonderful Pushkin Press started republishing his works. Now an extensive collection of his writing is available in English. I first came across Zweig when a copy of Beware of Pity came into the shop, as a massive fan of central European literature and of anything relating to the Hapsburg empire especially I knew that I would enjoy this novel about the concept of honour in the Austrian officer class in the run up to the First World War. I was right, the novel is wonderful I urge anyone who has any interest in the period to read it. Since then I've been able to read a fair few of Zweig's other works, some of his biographies and a few of his novellas, each one has been a perfect self contained piece of writing.
When I heard that there was going to be a new film made to encapsulate the essence of Zweig I got rather excited; even more so when I discovered that it was to be filmed at the incomparable Grandhotel Pupp in the old imperial spa town Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad during the Hapsburg period) and would be starring Ralph Fiennes. It all sounded perfect. So I was very keen to read the accompanying book that was published to go alongside the film. I was right to be keen, The Society of the Crossed Keys is a wonderful introduction to all things Zweig. It features a selection of his writings that offers snapshot of his range and style. Of greatest interest to me was the selected chapters taken from Zweig's memoirs, The World of Yesterday. I loved the depiction of early 20th century Vienna. I read as much as I can about this area and period, and am always so pleased to see just how little seems to have changed in the hundred years or so between then and when I lived in the city. These selections manage to be absolutely fascinating as well as amusing and containing some hints of the darkness that would soon overshadow everything else in the region. The section about University life is just marvellous. It combines a timeless account of student life with the idea of honour amongst students that is so uniquely Germanic.
As an introduction to Zweig's fiction we are given an extract from Beware of Pity, that nicely continues this idea of honour being paramount. This is only a short extract, but it is enough to capture a flavour of the rest of the novel.
The novella Twenty-Four Hours in the Life of a Woman is included in it's entirety, this is a very stylish story set against the backdrop of the French Riviera in the 1920s. This almost reminded me of the Ford Maddox Ford story The Good Soldier. As with most Zweig stories this is a tale wrapped up in another tale, he was extremely fond of writing little onions that had layers to peel back. This story is an absolute gem, the characterisation of the female characters is superb. It is a joy to read writing of this standard, especially when the translation is so sympathetically done.
To top the book off there is a transcript of a conversation between Wes Anderson, the director of The Grand Budapest Hotel, and George Prochnik who is Zweig's biographer. This gives an insight into why Zweig's life and work has started to fascinate readers again. So many of his novellas seem to be ripe for a new audience and this book alongside the film should open up his work to many many more people.
March 31, 2014
Wonderful writing. Immediately ordered the Pushkin complete collection.
August 15, 2016
I am very excited to read more of Stefan Zweig's work!!
November 25, 2015
"they compensate for the infrequency of their sympathy, as it were, by exhibiting disproportionate and excessive vehemence"
February 26, 2016
I loved this book. I feel tremendous excitement and gratitude that the entire body of Zweig's work remains for me to discover. I can't imagine a better introduction to his writings could be possible.
August 29, 2021
I went back and forth from a rating of 4 to 5, but ultimately I decided to rate this book 5 stars due to the impact it has left me after completing the book.
Like everyone else, my interest in the book stemmed from my interest in the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel. I was curious to see how the life and works of Stefan Zweig inspired the movie, and what kind of connections I could make with the book to the film. The book starts with a brief foreword with Wes Anderson, providing an introduction to Zweig and the movie. This section was alright, nothing too grand that made me excited as a reader.
The first work from Zweig is his memoir 'The World of Yesterday'. Personally, I'm not a fan of memoirs so it was a bit difficult for me to read through (took me almost a year). However I did enjoy Zweig's writing, particularly about social customs that changed and evolved throughout his life. Zweig's writing mannerisms, especially regarding his descriptive writing about his surroundings (the setting, the people, everything), was very well reflected in the movie. The extract of the memoir comprises of the largest portion of the book, and after reading, it is clear why - the movie was clearly inspired by The World of Yesterday. Here's a quote that I enjoyed from The World of Yesterday:
The next is 'Beware of Pity', Zweig's first and only novel. The excerpt is, I think, the beginning parts of the novel detailing the life and the mind of a Austro-Hungarian cavalry officer. The humorous, witty nature of this novel is clearly reflected in the movie and it was interesting to read. I really liked the ending of the excerpt, and it left me wanting more. As this excerpt was considerably shorter than the one for The World of Yesterday, I'm very intrigued to read more.
The last but definitely not the list is 'Twenty-Four Hours In the Life of a Woman'. This one was definitely my favorite - it is a short story regarding a chance encounter that a women experienced years ago that haunts her to present day. I think there's only one word that's apt to describe what I thought of this short story: intoxicating. The writing and the dialogue was so mesmerizing that as I was reading, it felt like I was trapped into the story itself.
Here's a powerful quote that I really enjoyed.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book. The reason why I gravitated towards giving this book a rating of 4 stars was because of how I personally found reading The World of Yesterday a bit more taxing. However, I ultimately gave a rating of 5 stars because I truly enjoyed Beware of Pity and Twenty-Four hours, that after I'm writing this review I am purchasing a copy of the novel and The Collected Stories of Stefan Zweig (which includes Twenty-Four Hours). And like I said, even if I found The World of Yesterday less interesting than the other two, I still enjoyed it. Ultimately the three stories included in this book does a great job in introducing the inspiration behind the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel. Amazing movie, with amazing inspiration behind it.
Like everyone else, my interest in the book stemmed from my interest in the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel. I was curious to see how the life and works of Stefan Zweig inspired the movie, and what kind of connections I could make with the book to the film. The book starts with a brief foreword with Wes Anderson, providing an introduction to Zweig and the movie. This section was alright, nothing too grand that made me excited as a reader.
The first work from Zweig is his memoir 'The World of Yesterday'. Personally, I'm not a fan of memoirs so it was a bit difficult for me to read through (took me almost a year). However I did enjoy Zweig's writing, particularly about social customs that changed and evolved throughout his life. Zweig's writing mannerisms, especially regarding his descriptive writing about his surroundings (the setting, the people, everything), was very well reflected in the movie. The extract of the memoir comprises of the largest portion of the book, and after reading, it is clear why - the movie was clearly inspired by The World of Yesterday. Here's a quote that I enjoyed from The World of Yesterday:
Women look more beautiful to me now that they are at liberty to display their figures; their gait is more upright, their eyes brighter, their conversation less stilted.
The next is 'Beware of Pity', Zweig's first and only novel. The excerpt is, I think, the beginning parts of the novel detailing the life and the mind of a Austro-Hungarian cavalry officer. The humorous, witty nature of this novel is clearly reflected in the movie and it was interesting to read. I really liked the ending of the excerpt, and it left me wanting more. As this excerpt was considerably shorter than the one for The World of Yesterday, I'm very intrigued to read more.
The last but definitely not the list is 'Twenty-Four Hours In the Life of a Woman'. This one was definitely my favorite - it is a short story regarding a chance encounter that a women experienced years ago that haunts her to present day. I think there's only one word that's apt to describe what I thought of this short story: intoxicating. The writing and the dialogue was so mesmerizing that as I was reading, it felt like I was trapped into the story itself.
Here's a powerful quote that I really enjoyed.
All I know is that I had a constant wish to die, but not the strength to hasten the end I longed for so ardently.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book. The reason why I gravitated towards giving this book a rating of 4 stars was because of how I personally found reading The World of Yesterday a bit more taxing. However, I ultimately gave a rating of 5 stars because I truly enjoyed Beware of Pity and Twenty-Four hours, that after I'm writing this review I am purchasing a copy of the novel and The Collected Stories of Stefan Zweig (which includes Twenty-Four Hours). And like I said, even if I found The World of Yesterday less interesting than the other two, I still enjoyed it. Ultimately the three stories included in this book does a great job in introducing the inspiration behind the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel. Amazing movie, with amazing inspiration behind it.
September 28, 2023
A fascinating intro to Stefan Zweig's life and work. All the stars for Zweig's writing (especially the engrossing sample chapters from The World of Yesterday).
I might have given this collection four or four and half stars since it's really only selections from his writing and not a "full meal." However, its purpose is also to give a sense of context for The Grand Budapest Hotel, and to that end it does its job well. You get a pretty good opening Q&A with Wes Anderson, and each of the pieces he selected connect Zweig to Anderson's film in a particular way: The World of Yesterday provides the historical setting and thematic focus; the opening of Grand Budapest is more or less ripped right out the intro to Beware of Pity; and Twenty-four Hours in the Life of a Woman demonstrates the narrative voice Anderson imitates (quite well) as well as some of the content (inter-war intrigue set in a European hotel, for example).
So, apart from the mild critique that this collection serves more as an appetizer than a main course, this was well-done and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
I might have given this collection four or four and half stars since it's really only selections from his writing and not a "full meal." However, its purpose is also to give a sense of context for The Grand Budapest Hotel, and to that end it does its job well. You get a pretty good opening Q&A with Wes Anderson, and each of the pieces he selected connect Zweig to Anderson's film in a particular way: The World of Yesterday provides the historical setting and thematic focus; the opening of Grand Budapest is more or less ripped right out the intro to Beware of Pity; and Twenty-four Hours in the Life of a Woman demonstrates the narrative voice Anderson imitates (quite well) as well as some of the content (inter-war intrigue set in a European hotel, for example).
So, apart from the mild critique that this collection serves more as an appetizer than a main course, this was well-done and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
July 23, 2022
In reality he does not have to invent his stories; he need only let characters and events find their own way to him, and if he retains to a high degree the ability to look and listen, they will keep seeking him out as someone who will pass them on. To him who has often tried to interpret the tales of others, many will tell their tales.
Really neat to see the inspiration behind The Grand Budapest Hotel—bumped up my appreciation for and understanding of the movie when I rewatched it. Wes Anderson's narration has a similar style as the writing in here, and you can see how the plot and characters were informed by Zweig's writing.
Anderson aside, this also had some interesting cultural commentary about Europe at the turn of the 20th century, climate around the world wars, and sexuality and the criminalization of prostitution.
January 10, 2021
This book had the potential to be great, but unfortunately it did not leave up to these lofty heights. It is formatted in a very unique way, basically acting as a sampler of Zweig's works. First a conversation with Wes Anderson, which is a bit underwhelming. It didn't seem to add much to the book. Then, there is an autobiographical/historical chapter, where Zweig recounts parts of his life and give some insights into Viennese culture. Overall that part was really good and in my opinion the best chapter of the book. Very intriguing and the format is perfect for this type of writing. Then there are some stories by Zweig which are just above lukewarm. Not bad, but not great either.
Overall, a pretty nice read especially in the middle part, but fell short of what it could have been.
Overall, a pretty nice read especially in the middle part, but fell short of what it could have been.
January 2, 2025
2.5. This is a taster of the writings of Stefan Zweig: lots of excerpts from his memoirs, the first part of a novel, and an entire novella. There is also a lengthy interview/discussion with a Zweig scholar and film auteur Wes Anderson (director of Grand Budapest Hotel which is “inspired” by Zweig). I really enjoyed the discussion and the memoirs which are a bit over half the length of the book. The rest of it, not so much. I may one day read his memoirs in full because they are full of wonderful anecdotes and details about a world that is now inaccessible to us (pre-WW1 Vienna, Austria).
December 14, 2021
Wes Anderson is my favorite director, and Grand Budapest Hotel (GBH) is my favorite movie, so of course I had to read this. Reading this has given me so much insight into how Anderson came up with ideas for GBH. The narration within the narration, the different settings, even the writing style. Highly recommend for any fans of Anderson as a director and especially for fans of GBH. This book turned me on to Stefan Zweig as an author and, as the quote on the front of the book says, I am compelled to read on.
March 27, 2024
I loved this book. The author, especially perhaps this specific translation, makes you almost forget it was written almost one hundred years ago. The stories, especially The World of Yesterday, are wonderful and makes me want to read more of Zweig's work. I had never read anything from this author before and am glad that I've read these short stories and excerpts from him now.
I plan on reading the rest of The World of Yesterday in its entirety soon.
I plan on reading the rest of The World of Yesterday in its entirety soon.
May 10, 2021
Stefan Zweig has a unique talent: telling whimsical and gentle stories set against the backdrop of tense, terrifying times. There's such an elegance to his writing even as you sense tragedy and hardship around his characters/narrators. These collections of stories give us a glimpse into what it might be like to try to navigate life among those times. Very charming!!
February 23, 2024
I bought this book for my husband because he loved The Grand Budapest Hotel, and this began our love for Stefan Zweig. The extract of The World of Yesterday was so good I promptly bought a copy. A great sampler for Zweig's writing.
September 13, 2024
A nice little sampling of Zweig's work. I'd been wanting to read his stories that were the main inspirations for "Grand Budapest," so what better than to stumble upon this collection put together by Wes Anderson himself?
July 21, 2021
“..the air around us is not a dead and empty void, it has in it the rhythm and vibration of the time.”
December 14, 2021
Great introduction to Stefan Zweig, but frustrating to have extracts instead of whole stories.
April 4, 2023
Five stars for the fiction, three for "The World Of Yesterday."
March 13, 2025
This was a very enjoyable little read, with selections from Zweig's memoir, full length novel, and a novella in full. As it relates to the Grand Budapest Hotel, the selections tend to revolve around the themes of travel, the Old World, and human nature.
January 20, 2021
I really enjoyed this - in particular the extracts from The World of Yesterday. I think I’m deffo gonna read that book in full. I find Zweig to be such an enigmatic character, and even now his point of view seems strangely modern.
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