Either/Or: A Fragment of Life (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Soren Kierkegaard (Author), Victor Eremita (Editor), Alastair Hannay (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1992 | Series: Penguin Classics

In Either/Or, using the voices of two characters - the aesthetic young man of part one, called simply 'A', and the ethical Judge Vilhelm of the second section - Kierkegaard reflects upon the search for a meaningful existence, contemplating subjects as diverse as Mozart, drama, boredom, and, in the famous Seducer's Diary, the cynical seduction and ultimate rejection of a young, beautiful woman. A masterpiece of duality, Either/Or is a brilliant exploration of the conflict between the aesthetic and the ethical - both meditating ironically and seductively upon Epicurean pleasures, and eloquently expounding the noble virtues of a morally upstanding life.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Danish

About the Author

Kierkegaard (1813-55) was born in Copenhagen, the youngest of seven children. His childhood was unhappy, clouded by the religious fervour of his father, and the death of his mother, his sisters and two brothers. Educated at the School of Civic Virtue, he went on study theology, liberal arts and science at university, gaining a reputation for his academic brilliance and extravagant social life. He began to criticize Christianity, and in 1841 broke off his engagement to concentrate on his writing. Over the next ten years he produced a flood of works, in particular twelve major philosophical essays, many written under noms de plume. By the end of his life he had become an object of public ridicule, but he is now enjoying increasing acclaim. Alastair Hannay was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, the University of Edinburgh and University College London. In 1961 he became a resident of Norway and is now Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oslo.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (December 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140445773
• ISBN-13: 978-0140445770
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Nonfiction > More Languages > Danish

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars lighter translation, October 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Either/Or: A Fragment of Life (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

there is a countervailing advantage this edition offers against the princeton volumes even though its abridged... this is a lighter and smoother English translation. English is not my native language, but I believe many American readers would find the Hong translations as tough-going as I did (even if meticulous). Kierkegaard is already very wordy so this translation is a pain reducer.

65 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars challenging, but well worth the effort, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Either/Or: A Fragment of Life (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

for the most part, it goes without saying that pure philosophy texts make for difficult reading. To a great extent, kierkegaard is no exception. However, I would highly recommend this book for anyone struggling with questions of faith, particularly those involving the relationship between god and man. For me, the most valuable part of the book was the author's clear conflict and passion for the issues. It seemed to me that he was not trying to write as some great philosopher-king trying to bring light to the poor suffering masses, but as a sincerely conflicted human being, down in the trenches with the rest of us, just trying to understand what it all means. In short, although the style may be a little hard to wade through at times, it is a thouroughly thought-provoking and insightful book.

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Abridged, with no warning on the front, July 6, 2007

By 

Clinton Ebadi (Ellicott City, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Either/Or: A Fragment of Life (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I mistakenly purchased this without noticing it was abridged. It seems dishonest to only mark this on the back but not the front of the text.