Encyclopedia of German Literature [Hardcover]

Matthias Piccolruaz Konzett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

From both the established canon and newly emerging literatures, the Encyclopedia of German Literature includes more than 500 entries on writers, individual works, and topics essential to an understanding of this rich literary tradition. Drawing on the expertise of an international group of writers, the essays in the encyclopedia reflect developments of the latest scholarship in German literature, culture, history and society. In addition to the essays, author entries include biographical sketches and selected works lists. Entries on individual works provide information about first editions, selected critical editions, and selected English-language translations. All entries conclude with a list of further readings. 'Outstanding Academic Book' - Choice

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

It must be a daunting challenge to compile an encyclopedia of a literature so deeply rooted in the multitude of political ideologies that have emerged in response to Germany's chaotic history. German literature has always pushed people's buttons to intolerable degrees, nationwide and worldwide, and has caused controversy that doesn't easily turn into "old news." Hence Konzett's (German, Yale) assertion that scholars of different ideological backgrounds have written and evaluated the entries in order to impart an objective perspective with a "transnational" value. This mission has been accomplished to an admirable degree. Refreshingly long and elaborate, the essay-like entries cover three main categories: authors, works (novels, books of poetry, and essays), and topics, the last encompassing everything from literary terms and movements, artistic forums, cities, and historical eras to the key legacy of the Frankfurt School and its members. Rather lengthy lists for further reading are provided with each essay. Inevitably, one can quibble with the coverage; it certainly seems odd that Erich Maria Remarque's celebrated antiwar novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, does not get a separate entry even if it is acknowledged in the surprisingly brief blurb on Remarque. Still, this is a minor flaw that does not diminish the quality of a wide-ranging reference tool with a useful interdisciplinary approach to its subject. A necessary and rare addition to all serious literature collections.DMirela Roncevic, "Library Journal"
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

German writers over the centuries have made important contributions to world literature, many of which have been translated into English. "While publication of encyclopedias of German literature is fairly common in German-speaking countries, this cannot be said for English-speaking countries." Encyclopedia of German Lit erature represents a fine start at correcting this situation as "there has been until now no extensive English encyclopedia that informs readers about German literature, its authors, and its various contexts by means of extended essays and topical discussions."Authors make up the majority of the more than 500 entries, and important writers in the history of German literature from Goethe to Hesse are treated. Inclusion has been extended to contemporary writers such as Aysel Ozakin and Yoko Tawada. (Ozakin spent some time in exile in Germany, and many of her works, translated into German, depict the experiences of Turks living in Germany. Tawada, born in Japan, lives in Germany and writes in her adopted language.) Author entries conclude with bibliographies of works by the author, including English translations, as well as secondary scholarship. One or more additional articles follow many author entries, treating specific literary works by that author. For example, the article on Gunter Grass is followed by one on his novel Die Blechtrommel (The Tin Drum ).In addition to authors, literary movements and periods (Sturm und Drang, Baroque ) and types of literature (Fairy tales , Travel literature ) are included. The intersection of German literature with such topics as fascism, film, homosexuality, and religion is explored. Entries for important cities (Berlin , Vienna ) and historical developments (National Socialism ) provide the background of persons, places, issues, and events. Additional nonliterary entries include the philosophers Hans-Georg Gadamer and Martin Heidegger as well as critical theorist Jurgen Habermas. These particular entries, along with articles on Hermeneutics and Historiography , are disappointing. Although nicely sketching important intellectual concerns of the twentieth century, they fail to establish their relevance to or impact upon German literature.This new encyclopedia is a first-of-its-kind reference work in English. The third edition of The Oxford Companion to German Literature (1997) is very useful, but the discussion of authors, periods, and so on is not as lengthy. The Feminist Encyclopedia of German Literature (Greenwood, 1997) is also helpful but treats only women authors. Some will be disappointed that Thomas Mann's Doktor Faustus , for example, receives treatment in Encyclopedia of German Literature in an individual essay while Buddenbrooks does not. Others may be concerned that much of the secondary scholarship cited in supplemental bibliographies is in German. These are minor concerns. On the whole, the encyclopedia is highly recommended for all academic and large public libraries serving interest in German literature. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1136 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579581382
• ISBN-13: 978-1579581381
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.9 x 3.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,342,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Five stars (at least!) for content, 2 stars for copy editing, May 17, 2001

By 

E. A. Moon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of German Literature (Hardcover)

This encyclopedia is absolutely terrific in terms of its content, breadth, and readability. There is nothing like it in English that I am aware of, save for the Oxford Companion to German Literature, which has a UK/European bias and which is not nearly as exhaustive. The editors and contributors are academics based in US universities. The entries are wonderfully written and cover major (and not so well-known) writers (with analyses of their best works), genres (Sturm und Drang, Romanticism and the like), important cities (Berlin, Munich, Vienna, etc.), literature in Austria and Switzerland, immigrant writers, and so on. I have more than a passing interest in German literature, but certainly am no specialist, and it was a treat reading about writers I am familiar with as well as learning about writers whom I had not heard of before. The set (2 volumes) is sturdily bound, with attractive typeface, a wonderful front cover illustration by Gabriele Munter (which is described in the introduction--a nice touch!), several indexes and extensive bibliographies after each entry.

So why only 3 stars? Because the copy editing is very, very sloppy. This is the fault of the publisher, I think, not the editors and contributors. I was really surprised at the number of typos I found while reading this encyclopedia (yes, reading it. I bought it for my personal library!). These probably would not be noticeable to a one-time user looking up information on Goethe or something; however, sitting and reading entry after entry, I was shocked at the number of words left out of sentences and transposed numbers in dates (1935 when it is clear from the entry that the author being described lived during the 19th century and the date should have been 1835). These are the sorts of errors that spell-checking and other word processing 'mistake finders' do NOT find. Only diligent and careful reading by copy editors will find these sorts of errors. It's a shame that the publisher did not choose to correct these errors, because they definitely detract from the whole. This encyclopedia is supposed to be the 'ne plus ultra' and it is, in terms of content, but the numerous typos are jarring in a publication that is clearly aiming to be a standard reference source in English for German-language literature, and which carries a VERY hefty price tag. I hope the publisher corrects these errors in later printings. Despite the typos, I highly recommend it for any academic or research library, and for anyone who loves German literature. It is truly a fabulous resource.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable reference work, February 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Encyclopedia of German Literature (Hardcover)

This excellent reference work has detailed and informative entries that cover a wide range of topics on established as well as more recent subjects. Articles are consistently well written and engaging and display a variety of approaches and methods. Very useful for both specialized scholars of German and students new to the field. I haven't come across the many typos of which the other reviewer mentions. Highly recommended and a must have for any German specialist.