Customer Reviews

The Microscripts

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This is a publishing event to be celebrated for the ages, not only is Walser one of the most unique figures in contemporary thought and literature, but a writer of such worldly knowing his work is simply in a class of its own. The package is elegant, a perfect complement and homage to an underground artist whose understood the complexities of life and was driven to stand outside them in all facets. His reflections are sublime, and the context of the microscripts will bring joy to existing fans of his work while potentially gaining more who I only hope will read the translations of his full-length novels. His work makes more sense now than it ever could have while he wrote.

This brief collection was gathered from Walser's "micro" period, during which he wrote his stories in unintelligibly small script on the backs of post cards and other scraps of paper. For years these scripts were neglected-they were considered simply curious byproducts of Walser's insanity. But subsequent scholars have devoted years transcribing and deciphering these little gems of German prose. Walser's approach is deliberately oblique, poetic, hermetic. Together this collection encapsulates the methods of an artist devoted to the literary transmission of languaged observation. They are miraculous microcosms of literariness. An invaluable book. Includes beautiful facsimilies from the original scripts as well as the German texts for each piece. Also, a very interesting essay about Walser by Walter Benjamin.

I don't necessarily think that Walser's late-period writing is for everyone. It is very eccentric and dense. I came to this book having already reread The Robber several times, and Microscripts reads much like outtakes from that novel. That said it is a joy to read, and even a joy to look at. It is alarming how many paperbacks that will only survive one reading are still being produced in a world with e-readers and libraries, but this book makes the case for the publishing industry going forward. It is solidly constructed, tightly bound, and beautifully (if plainly) arranged. The size of my bookshelf is dwindling as I shift to e-readers, but this book will never leave it.

Also, I can't praise the translation of Susan Bernofsky enough. I cannot attest to its accuracy, but as with her translations of the Robber and Masquerade, this is delightful to read.