Review
Joe Martin's new volume of selected plays of August Strindberg fills a gaping hole in available English-language editions of one of the most influential modern dramatists. Martin has written a superlative balanced introduction that offers many new insights into the complex life and works of the strange genius who stands at the wellspring of naturalism, expressionism and the theatre of Brecht (as Martin convincingly argues for the history plays), and the absurd. This edition contains fine new actor-friendly translations of no less than seven key works of contemporary drama .... -- Peter Stenberg, Head, Department of Germanic Studies, University of British Columbia
Strindberg was...'a man who knew a thousand arts'...His translator Joe Martin is not far behind him in versatility. Martin's experience as a scholar, playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, theatre director and producer is a perfect fit, as he presents 'other sides' of Strindberg to a North American public...These 'other sides' have not only to do with the selection of plays, but also the generous commentaries concerning the background, form, content, and reception of the works which Martin includes here. At the heart of this effort lies the intention to understand and explain the remarkable synthesis of the later Strindberg's work: the dialectic between religious mysticism and political radicalism. -- From the Foreword by Bjrn Meidal, Author of From Prophet to People's Tribune: Strindberg and the Strindberg Feud
Strindberg was...'a man who knew a thousand arts'...His translator Joe Martin is not far behind him in versatility. Martin's experience as a scholar, playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, theatre director and producer is a perfect fit, as he presents 'other sides' of Strindberg to a North American public...These 'other sides' have not only to do with the selection of plays, but also the generous commentaries concerning the background, form, content, and reception of the works which Martin includes here. At the heart of this effort lies the intention to understand and explain the remarkable synthesis of the later Strindberg's work: the dialectic between religious mysticism and political radicalism. -- From the Foreword by Bjrn Meidal, Author of From Prophet to People's Tribune: Strindberg and the Strindberg Feud
Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Swedish
Original Language: Swedish
