The Cambridge Introduction to German Poetry

German poetry has long held a special place within the Western literary tradition. Its major achievements include Luther's hymns, Goethe's unequalled poetic versatility, the Romantics' lyric songs and the challenging poetry of H lderlin, Rilke and Celan. Combining readings of traditional poems with fresh examples, Judith Ryan conveys the rich rewards that come with reading German poetry. Organized thematically, the book demonstrates the significance of the poems in their time while also showing their resonance in later periods. The nuanced readings in this book serve as ideal examples for close engagement with the primary texts. Quotations are given in the original German and translated into English prose. Special sections give guidance on how to approach an unfamiliar text and how to compose a close reading; an appendix on German metrics and a glossary of technical terms are also provided, along with further reading for those ready to explore more widely.

Author: Judith Ryan
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 12/31/2012
Pages: 250
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780521687201

Review Citation(s):
Choice 08/01/2013

About the Author
Ryan, Judith: - Judith Ryan is Robert K. and Dale J. Weary Professor of German and Comparative Literature at Harvard University.