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The Man Without Qualities Vol. 1: A Sort of Introduction and Pseudo Reality Prevails Paperback – December 9, 1996

by Robert Musil (Author), Sophie Wilkins (Translator), Burton Pike (Translator)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 122 ratings
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Set in Vienna on the eve of World War I, this great novel of ideas tells the story of Ulrich, ex-soldier and scientist, seducer and skeptic, who finds himself drafted into the grandiose plans for the 70th jubilee of the Emperor Franz Josef. This new translation--published in two elegant volumes--is the first to present Musil's complete text, including material that remained unpublished during his lifetime.
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  1. Print length
    752 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vintage
  4. Publication date
    December 9, 1996
  5. Dimensions
    5.11 x 1.32 x 7.97 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0679767878
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0679767879
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This intriguing landmark of modernism from Austrian writer Robert Musil has been newly translated from the German by Sophie Wilkins and re-edited in a textual overhaul. This new edition includes portions of the author's original manuscripts that have never been published before. Though an imposing edifice of writing, devotees of literary modernism and anyone interested in the decline of the Austrian empire must read this sweeping, comic take on life in pre-Great War Vienna. The story of Ulrich, the man without qualities himself, is continued in a second volume, The Man Without Qualities: Into the Millenium,From the Posthumous Papers.

From Publishers Weekly

This edition of Musil's classic modernist novel features the complete text in a new translation, as well as extensive supplementary material.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; First Printing edition (December 9, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 752 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0679767878
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0679767879
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.12 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.11 x 1.32 x 7.97 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 122 ratings

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Robert Musil

Robert Musil

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
122 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book unique, brilliant, and worth reading and rereading. They also describe the writing style as clever and witty.

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Reading experienceWriting style
16 customers mention "Reading experience"12 positive4 negative

Customers find the book unique, satisfying, and entertaining. They also say it's a valuable class assignment and useful as a source book for historical studies. Readers also mention that the book is a brilliant portrayal of Austria before WWI.

"...but I can give an indication as to why it’s so worth reading. Musil was an accomplished essayist in the line of Kraus et alia...." Read more

"The quintessential novel of ideas, I am simply astounded that I managed to get through the first 50 years of my life without knowing of this..." Read more

"...And irony, don't forget irony. Some times wickedly entertaining. Some times like an English assignment you wish would go away...." Read more

"...'s eye and his intelligence that brings to life, in prose of rhythmic and sensual vitality, a world too self-preoccupied to notice what was..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing style"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style clever and witty.

"...Mixed in is a good deal of humor and satire and sarcasm. And irony, don't forget irony. Some times wickedly entertaining...." Read more

"I thought volume one very well written, the author clever and witty, but, ultimately, one shrugs and asks, "Why all the circumspection about nothing?..." Read more

"Funny and wonderful. Musil is one of my favorite writers." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Aran Joseph Canes
5.0 out of 5 stars A Little Known Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
In the 1920s and 30s the intellectual world was in ferment. It seems everyone was writing on what was wrong with Western civilization and how to save it.

A too little known work in this corpus is Robert Musil’s The Man Without Qualities. It actually could be said to burst out of the genre as it’s as innovative as Joyce and Proust in terms of the novel’s form. Add to that that it’s a postmortem on the Habsburg empire and you have a book that is deservedly considered one the greatest works of the twentieth century.

I’ve only read volume I (volume II arrives tomorrow) but I can give an indication as to why it’s so worth reading. Musil was an accomplished essayist in the line of Kraus et alia. What he does in the Man Without Qualities is not only intersperse narrative with philosophical essays, he makes the parts with dialogue and plot into an essay like form. The characters, in the midst of flirting, arguing and planning a festival will include a discussion of ideas that could be right out of Nietzsche.

In the first volume, Musil traces the decay of the Enlightenment into the emotionalism of the Romantics allowing for the growth of socialist/nationalist/irrationalist parties who, as we know, eventually overran German speaking lands. His solution, only hinted at in volume I, seems to have been a combination of rationalism with mysticism or unorganized religion. It’s said volume II, left unfinished, lacks the humor, wit and satire of the first. All I can say is that I’m still eager to read it.

Musil always thought that he didn’t get the recognition he deserved in his lifetime. I think he would be equally disappointed in his standing now. But despite its titanic length, there’s really no substitute for Musil’s unique style, insights and innovative form. If you can find the time, it’s worth devoting some weeks to giving The Man Without Qualities the appreciation its author so pined after.
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J. P Spencer
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best of the 20th Century
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2015
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The quintessential novel of ideas, I am simply astounded that I managed to get through the first 50 years of my life without knowing of this incredible book. Someone here noted that almost every review notes two things about this book: that is a novel of ideas and that it takes place in pre-World War I Vienna. The reviewer complained that a) it is much more than just an amazing collection of ideas and thoughts expressed brilliantly and b) when it occurred was irrelevant in that the ideas expressed by Musil are timeless and apply everywhere. I agree with the first comment but disagree completely with the second.

While it is true that much of Musil's extended discussion of modern technological life still applies a century later, one of the really fascinating aspects for me was Musil's revelations of what the psychology of "Kakania" was under the Hapsburgs that led to WW I. Musil is writing primarily during the period between the two wars and for him as for all of Europe during this time, the overwhelming catastrophe that was the first war had to have been a central concern for him. IMHO, to say that the setting of the novel is irrelevant is to massively diminish one of the many central concerns of Musil

As others have noted, Musil is a constant revelation writing in epigrams that strike one on almost every page. It is simply brilliant and one of the truly great works of 20th century literature, very much able to hold it's own with Proust and Mann. Not an easy read by any means (I have been at it for over a year), it is rare when a work rewards effort so admirably.
73 people found this helpful
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Gary Severance
5.0 out of 5 stars Pseudoreality 2008
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2008
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Robert Musil's two-volume unfinished novel published in 1952 and 1978 is remarkably relevant to the current Zeitgeist in the United States. The central character Ulrich is a man without qualities, a person indifferent to his middle class position and abilities. But he is described by a friend as consisting of qualities without a man, a cynical poser hiding behind general intellectual and social skills. Ulrich is afforded prescience from beyond "the break" as Musil's contemporary Thomas Mann described the Great War. He realizes the traditional world of art and culture in kingly and bureaucratic Kakania, a fictional city-state in Austria, is on the brink of destruction due to advances of the middle class in commerce and science. All that is needed for the old world to be tipped into the abyss is the identification of a scapegoat by intellectually deficient but charismatic leaders and the mobilization of diverse and self-interested ethnic and national subgroups. This resembles our current `ghost of the time' in America.

Ulrich's indifference is made possible by the lifelong efforts of the diplomatic work of his middle class bureaucrat father. The family's financial advantages allow him to begin a career in science, specifically mathematics, with theoretical rather than applied goals. Ulrich has some success as a mathematician, but sees no future in what he perceives as nothing more than a social group of like-minded theorists. As a result of his father's political connections and his own personal charisma, Ulrich is recognized for general intellect and charm by the monarchy and upper middle class in Kakania. He is appointed to a leadership position on a national committee charged with the task of developing a theme, a slogan that will unite Austria in pride during the seventieth jubilee of the Emperor Franz Joseph I. Because of his prescience and cynicism, Ulrich realizes that the group has an impossible task. The future of Austria does not involve celebration of the old, but rather radical social change targeting the Jews as scapegoats and the empowerment of special interest groups within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

We can see the parallels between Kakania, and the United States as we face an economic meltdown and a change of leadership in the White House. We can anticipate the inevitable cycle of change, but who will benefit? What special interest groups will mobilize seeking power? What leaders will gain support in the new era of our undercivilized (Henry James' term) culture: the proponents of humanity and tradition or proponents of Realpolitic based on practicality and power? Musil's novel puts the reader in the unique position of identifying with Ulrich, a self made person without intrinsically valuable qualities, living in a disintegrating nation. If we, like Ulrich, possess superficial and limiting personal qualities and are indifferent to them, we may become more reliant on the intervention and restriction of government in our daily lives. The result may be that we have no enduring and free culture to help us understand and maintain the values of the human person.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars recommended
Reviewed in Germany on September 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
This writing style is enjoyable to read. A loose, free flowing plot ties everything together with clever philosophical and moral insights for everyday life. Must read.
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J. Manuel Alvarez Manilla
5.0 out of 5 stars Necesario
Reviewed in Mexico on February 2, 2020
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Libro clásico moderno qué hay que leer.
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