Jakob von Gunten
Encyclopedia
Jakob von Gunten. Ein Tagebuch is a novel by Swiss writer Robert Walser
first published in German in 1909
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Walser based the novel on his own experiences: upon arriving in Berlin in 1905 he attended a school for servants, and served as a butler the following winter.
originally published his review—a reappreciation of an almost forgotten classic—in The New York Review of Books
Vol.47, No.17 (November 2, 2000). It was later reprinted in his Inner Workings: Literary Essays, 2000-2005
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Robert Walser (writer)
Robert Walser , was a German-speaking Swiss writer.-1878–1897:...
first published in German in 1909
1909 in literature
The year 1909 in literature involved some significant new books.-New books:*L. Frank Baum - The Road to Oz** - Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work *André Billy - La Derive*René Boylesve - La Jeune Fille bien élevée...
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Introduction
Jakob von Gunten is a first-person account told by its titular protagonist, a young man of noble background who runs off from home and decides to spend the rest of his life serving others. To this end, he enrols at the Benjamenta Institute, a school for servants.Walser based the novel on his own experiences: upon arriving in Berlin in 1905 he attended a school for servants, and served as a butler the following winter.
J. M. Coetzee's review in "The Genius of Robert Walser" (2000)
Nobel prize laureate John Maxwell CoetzeeJohn Maxwell Coetzee
John Maxwell Coetzee ; is an author and academic from South Africa. He is now an Australian citizen and lives in Adelaide, South Australia...
originally published his review—a reappreciation of an almost forgotten classic—in The New York Review of Books
The New York Review of Books
The New York Review of Books is a fortnightly magazine with articles on literature, culture and current affairs. Published in New York City, it takes as its point of departure that the discussion of important books is itself an indispensable literary activity...
Vol.47, No.17 (November 2, 2000). It was later reprinted in his Inner Workings: Literary Essays, 2000-2005
Inner Workings: Literary Essays, 2000-2005
Inner Workings is a series of 21 essays by the South African-born Nobel Prize winner John Maxwell Coetzee. All but five appeared first in the New York Review of Books; of the remainder, all but one appeared as introductions to single texts or collections...
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Editions
- The first edition of the German original was published in Berlin in 1909 by Bruno CassirerBruno CassirerBruno Cassirer was a publisher and gallery owner in Berlin who had a considerable influence on the cultural life of the city.He was born on 12 December 1872, the second child of Jewish parents, Julius and Julcher Cassirer. Julius was a partner, with two of Bruno's cousins, in a cable factory...
. - Jakob von Gunten, translated from the German and with an Introduction by Christopher MiddletonChristopher Middleton (poet)Christopher Middleton is a British poet and translator, especially of German literature.-Life:He was born in Truro, Cornwall, in 1926. He studied at Merton College, Oxford. He then held academic positions at the University of Zürich and King's College London. He became Professor of Germanic...
(originally published in 1969, since then reprintReprintA reprint is a re-publishing of material that has already been previously published. The word reprint is used in many fields.-Academic publishing:...
ed in NYRB Classics, 1999) (ISBN 978-0940322219). - Today the novel is available in a number of editions, most notably by Suhrkamp VerlagSuhrkamp VerlagSuhrkamp Verlag is a German publishing house, established in 1950 and generally acknowledged as one of the leading European publishers of fine literature.In January 2010 the headquarters of the company moved from Frankfurt to Berlin.-Early history:...
. In 2008, the Süddeutsche ZeitungSüddeutsche ZeitungThe Süddeutsche Zeitung , published in Munich, is the largest German national subscription daily newspaper.-Profile:The title literally translates as "South German Newspaper". It is read throughout Germany by 1.1 million readers daily and boasts a relatively high circulation abroad...
chose Jakob von Gunten as one of 100 "great novels of the 20th century" (a selection which includes translations from other languages) and published a special edition.
Film adaptations
- A 1971 German television movie, Jakob von Gunten, was directed by Peter LilienthalPeter LilienthalPeter Lilienthal is a German film director, writer, actor and producer. His 1979 film David won the Golden Bear at the 29th Berlin International Film Festival. His 1984 film Das Autogramm was entered into the 34th Berlin International Film Festival.-Filmography:*1958 – Studie 23. *1959 – Im...
. - In 1995, the novel was adapted into the film Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream People Call Human Life by the Brothers QuayBrothers QuayStephen and Timothy Quay are American identical twin brothers better known as the Brothers Quay or Quay Brothers. They are influential stop-motion animators...
, starring Mark RylanceMark RylanceMark Rylance is an English actor, theatre director and playwright.As an actor, Rylance found success on stage and screen. For his work in theatre he has won Olivier and Tony Awards among others, and a BAFTA TV Award...
as Jakob von Gunten.
External links
- e-text (in German) from Project GutenbergProject GutenbergProject Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks". Founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, it is the oldest digital library. Most of the items in its collection are the full texts of public domain books...
- J. M. Coetzee: "The Genius of Robert Walser"