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Kleist: Selected Writings
A reprint of the J. M. Dent edition of 1997.
Aiming in his translation for "an English haunted and affected by the strangeness of the original," David Constantine offers a wealth of Heinrich von Kleist's key writings in this collection, the most ambitious of its kind.
Aiming in his translation for "an English haunted and affected by the strangeness of the original," David Constantine offers a wealth of Heinrich von Kleist's key writings in this collection, the most ambitious of its kind.
480 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2006
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About the author
Heinrich von Kleist
1,024 books357 followersThe dramatist, writer, lyricist, and publicist Heinrich von Kleist was born in Frankfurt an der Oder in 1777. Upon his father's early death in 1788 when he was ten, he was sent to the house of the preacher S. Cartel and attended the French Gymnasium. In 1792, Kleist entered the guard regiment in Potsdam and took part in the Rhein campaign against France in 1796. Kleist voluntarily resigned from army service in 1799 and until 1800 studied philosophy, physics, mathematics, and political science at Viadrina University in Frankfurt an der Oder. He went to Berlin early in the year 1800 and penned his drama "Die Familie Ghonorez". Kleist, who tended to irrationalism and was often tormented by a longing for death, then lit out restlessly through Germany, France, and Switzerland.
After several physical and nervous breakdowns, in which he even burned the manuscript of one of his dramas, Heinrich von Kleist reentered the Prussian army in 1804, working in Berlin and Königsberg. There he wrote "Amphitryon" and "Penthesilea."
After being discharged in 1807, Kleist was apprehended on suspicion of being a spy. After this he went to Dresden, where he edited the art journal "Phoebus" with Adam Müller and completed the comedy "The Broken Pitcher" ("Der zerbrochene Krug") and the folk play "Katchen von Heilbronn" ("Das Käthchen von Heilbronn").
Back in Berlin, the one time Rousseau devotee had become a bitter opponent of Napoleon. In 1811, he finished "Prinz Friedrich von Homburg." Finding himself again in financial and personal difficulties, Heinrich von Kleist, together with his lover, the terminally ill Henriette Vogel, committed suicide near the Wannsee in Berlin in 1811.
[From http://www.heinrich-von-kleist.com/]
After several physical and nervous breakdowns, in which he even burned the manuscript of one of his dramas, Heinrich von Kleist reentered the Prussian army in 1804, working in Berlin and Königsberg. There he wrote "Amphitryon" and "Penthesilea."
After being discharged in 1807, Kleist was apprehended on suspicion of being a spy. After this he went to Dresden, where he edited the art journal "Phoebus" with Adam Müller and completed the comedy "The Broken Pitcher" ("Der zerbrochene Krug") and the folk play "Katchen von Heilbronn" ("Das Käthchen von Heilbronn").
Back in Berlin, the one time Rousseau devotee had become a bitter opponent of Napoleon. In 1811, he finished "Prinz Friedrich von Homburg." Finding himself again in financial and personal difficulties, Heinrich von Kleist, together with his lover, the terminally ill Henriette Vogel, committed suicide near the Wannsee in Berlin in 1811.
[From http://www.heinrich-von-kleist.com/]
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 7, 2009
Heinrich von Kleist is an unrivaled master of invention. The works in this collection have been miraculously conceived, methodically designed and meticulously written. Some of these stories may be brief in length, but they are not mere sketches; many of them are complex webs of plots and subplots. Von Kleist's narratives are textured so beautifully one feels as if they are gazing into a luxuriant forest atop the most majestic mountains in Europe and spotting out all of nature's jewels, both bizarre and rare.
This monumental collection of plays, short stories, anecdotes and essays has to be condsidered one of the greatest, by a single writer, in all of literature. These works in Selected Writings are beyond imagination - beyond this world. The stories are sophisticated in every aspect; the characters are elegant in all manner; and the style is as sublime as it is compelling. These creations of past times, incredible places and fascinating people are intricately weaved together to render the most awe-inspiring depiction of the tragedy and comedy of life and man. One can cherish this collection for a lifetime. It is truly an overwhelming experience.
As much as I love the many great writers who have provided so much to the world of literature, Heinrich von Kleist is one writer that towers above the greatest of them, including Hamsun and Hesse, two writers among many that I love so dearly. Unfortunately the number of his works is limited due to his premature death at the early age of thirty-four. If he had gone on to live to a full life like Goethe, one can only wonder what kind of treasures he would have delivered to mankind. Then, in all probability, his name would be followed by Goethe and Schiller.
This is one book every ardent admirer of literature - every passionate participant of life - must have on their bookshelves, to proudly possess, and to read over and over again. Heinrich von Kleist so richly deserves the highest accolades honored him.
This monumental collection of plays, short stories, anecdotes and essays has to be condsidered one of the greatest, by a single writer, in all of literature. These works in Selected Writings are beyond imagination - beyond this world. The stories are sophisticated in every aspect; the characters are elegant in all manner; and the style is as sublime as it is compelling. These creations of past times, incredible places and fascinating people are intricately weaved together to render the most awe-inspiring depiction of the tragedy and comedy of life and man. One can cherish this collection for a lifetime. It is truly an overwhelming experience.
As much as I love the many great writers who have provided so much to the world of literature, Heinrich von Kleist is one writer that towers above the greatest of them, including Hamsun and Hesse, two writers among many that I love so dearly. Unfortunately the number of his works is limited due to his premature death at the early age of thirty-four. If he had gone on to live to a full life like Goethe, one can only wonder what kind of treasures he would have delivered to mankind. Then, in all probability, his name would be followed by Goethe and Schiller.
This is one book every ardent admirer of literature - every passionate participant of life - must have on their bookshelves, to proudly possess, and to read over and over again. Heinrich von Kleist so richly deserves the highest accolades honored him.
June 17, 2022
Kleist's tale of Michael Kohlhaas the horse-dealer remains the clearest point of germination in the collective provenance of Kafka and Beckett.
His essay on the marionette theater, which suggests that puppets are in the possession of souls of their own, is amazing.
Haven't read the plays yet.
His essay on the marionette theater, which suggests that puppets are in the possession of souls of their own, is amazing.
Haven't read the plays yet.
June 21, 2018
The Broken Jug
A delightful comedy involving an innocent girl, a ridiculous judge, a stubborn lover and an objective inspector.
Amphitryon
The frustrating comedy of Plautus is reworked by Kleist, but, is there any originality here?
The Prince Of Homburg
Bizarre. The hero who brought victory is court-martialed for disobeying orders and condemned to death. The subsequent events are too idiotic to believe.
Michael Kohlhaas
This novella grabs your attention from the beginning but then slowly dissipates and drags on and on constructing subplots that go nowhere. The ending is leaves the reader dissatisfied with unanswered questions.
The Marquise of O
An innocent Marquise faints during the siege of her estate as she is approached by cut-throats. A Russian count rescues her. She later finds herself pregnant. The author presents the story as though no one could possibly figure out this ‘immaculate’ conception. It leads to the obvious conclusion and solution. Big deal.
The Chilean Earthquake
A story that must have influenced Kafka for its gross depiction of human injustice, and, of course for Kleist, depicted with anti-Catholicism.
Betrothal in San Domingo
During the Haitian revolution, a mullatto girl and Swiss officer in the French army fall in love and in strange circumstances lose their lives in effecting freedom for his family. A very bitter story.
The Beggarwoman of Locarno
A short, tepid horror story.
The Foundling
An orphan adopted by a generous couple evolves into an evil man. The story is filled with anti-Catholic prejudice.
St. Cecilia or the Power of Music
A miracle dissuades looting of a convent’s church by religious zealots.
The Duel
Judgment by combat is skewed when both parties believe they are in the right.
Anecdotes and Essays
Except for the one concerning impromptu assertions, these arefairly bland observations. His letters on the other hand show a destructive personality descending toward suicide.
A delightful comedy involving an innocent girl, a ridiculous judge, a stubborn lover and an objective inspector.
Amphitryon
The frustrating comedy of Plautus is reworked by Kleist, but, is there any originality here?
The Prince Of Homburg
Bizarre. The hero who brought victory is court-martialed for disobeying orders and condemned to death. The subsequent events are too idiotic to believe.
Michael Kohlhaas
This novella grabs your attention from the beginning but then slowly dissipates and drags on and on constructing subplots that go nowhere. The ending is leaves the reader dissatisfied with unanswered questions.
The Marquise of O
An innocent Marquise faints during the siege of her estate as she is approached by cut-throats. A Russian count rescues her. She later finds herself pregnant. The author presents the story as though no one could possibly figure out this ‘immaculate’ conception. It leads to the obvious conclusion and solution. Big deal.
The Chilean Earthquake
A story that must have influenced Kafka for its gross depiction of human injustice, and, of course for Kleist, depicted with anti-Catholicism.
Betrothal in San Domingo
During the Haitian revolution, a mullatto girl and Swiss officer in the French army fall in love and in strange circumstances lose their lives in effecting freedom for his family. A very bitter story.
The Beggarwoman of Locarno
A short, tepid horror story.
The Foundling
An orphan adopted by a generous couple evolves into an evil man. The story is filled with anti-Catholic prejudice.
St. Cecilia or the Power of Music
A miracle dissuades looting of a convent’s church by religious zealots.
The Duel
Judgment by combat is skewed when both parties believe they are in the right.
Anecdotes and Essays
Except for the one concerning impromptu assertions, these arefairly bland observations. His letters on the other hand show a destructive personality descending toward suicide.
December 9, 2023
Fine selection.
November 27, 2012
I so hesitate in rating classic literature because obviously, this guy is still around for a reason. But I'm not a fan. However, the play, The Broken Jug is fun. It saves the collection. His subjects are fine, his plots intriguing, but I don't enjoy the execution.
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March 30, 2007i only read the essay, "the puppet theatre" but i liked it - it's short
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December 18, 2009Craziness so far. Love it.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews