The Theater of Heiner Müller (Cambridge Studies in Modern Theatre) [Hardcover]

Jonathan Kalb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 1998 | Series: Cambridge Studies in Modern Theatre

This is the first comprehensive study in English of Heiner Müller, arguably the most important figure in the German theatre after Brecht. Its prime aim is to introduce Müller to an Anglophone public largely unfamiliar with his work. Brecht's most significant spiritual heir, Müller wrote almost all his texts in direct response to other literary works and posed even more challenges to received notions of originality than Brecht. His typical practice, this study argues, was to set up 'source' authors as broad paradigms and then imitate them, in order to explode or embarrass their assumptions about history and the relationship of art to history. History being a perennial bloodbath, all previous creators were guilty shadows with whom the living had a grave obligation to grapple. This book attempts not to unmask Müller but rather to illuminate his work and thought by way of his carefully chosen alter egos.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Pleasing and easy to read...the book includes 15 excellent production photographs. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals." Choice "...Kalb's close readings of the MUller oeuvre are incisive and refreshingly free of critical rhetoric..." Michael Bloom, American Theatre "This book will not only inspire theater scholars to take a closer look at MUller, it could also pave the way for a more engaged confrontation with MUller's work in the English-speaking world--not only among theater directors, actors, translators, and publishers, but for readers who recognize the significance of the most important German playwright since Brecht." Holger Teschke, Theater "The author of this excellent study is a recipient of the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism (1991) and author of a previous volume on Beckett as well as a collection of essays titled Free Admissions: Collected Theater Writings. Jonathan Kalb presents a thoughtful and personally intimate analysis of the life and theater of Heiner MUller by comparing his production with that of various predecessors. An extraordinarily insightful, sensitive book, a tour de force of knowledge of modern drama and its critics, The Theater of Heiner MUller is an indispensible aid in unlocking the riddles and merits of the man and his contemporaries." Erlis Wickersham, World Literature Today

Book Description

The first comprehensive study in English of Bertold Brecht's most significant spiritual heir, whose typical practice was to imitate the work of existing authors in a more or less subversive fashion. This book attempts to illuminate Müller's work and thought by way of his carefully-chosen alter egos.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 275 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (April 13, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521550041
• ISBN-13: 978-0521550048
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,169,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.