In the context of the early Yiddish literature Kafka was reading, his work is not so so strange. He's known to have read Nahman of Breslov (I think it was David Roskies who called Nahman the first Yiddish writer)--and if you know Nahman's tale of the prince who thought he was a chicken the Metamorphosis begins to seem less strange. I audited David's brilliant classes on Yiddish literature when I was writing The Seventh Beggar.
Hi Pearl, thank you for this comment, and there are definite connections with Yiddish literature in Kafka's stories. Interesting to think of Nachman as the first Yiddish writer! I found that I learned a lot from Harman....I highly recommend.
I should add that you will find the photos here fascinating, esp. pictures of Belz Chassidim--including the rebbe--bathing in Germany in 1916. And much more!
Yes! They are fully clothed but about to bathe. Here is the first sentence of the caption for the photograph: "The Hasidic Rabbi of Belz at Mariensbad Spa, surrounded by his court, mid-July, 1916." (Once again I recommend this book!
Hi Aviya, great newsletter! Are these new translations, or translations of previously unpublished stories? I'm asking because I have The Complete Stories published by Shocken in 1971, translated by Nahum Glatzer. Thanks!
Hi Sabine--thank you! These are new translations. I have read many of these stories before, in other translations. Harman's focus is on stories published between 1912-1924. I also have the Glatzer, but I think this new book is really special--I am sure you will find something you never knew about Kafka! I also know you will be fascinated by his comments on translation itself.
Thanks Aviya, this book sounds like a real treat, I will definitely get it. Did you know I had a picture of Kafka above my desk, staring at me every day while I'm working? :-)) Thanks again for your incredibly generous work.
I did not know this! I love this information! BTW this book includes a photograph of what Harman is almost sure was Kafka's desk. (I was delighted to realize I own one just like it, about 100 years old, from a consignment shop!)
Thank you for the Harmon recommendation. I will definitely look for it. I love Kafka. I taught the Metamorphosis for many years to Bais Yaakov girls. It was, to say the least, an interesting and inspiring experience. As for Kafka's interest in Hebrew and Yiddish, I was delighted when I learned of his interest in the Yiddish theater.
Wow, Zeeva, that sounds fascinating! I am also delighted by Kafka's interest in Yiddish. The Harman book is special....I can feel the decades of research that went into it.
In the context of the early Yiddish literature Kafka was reading, his work is not so so strange. He's known to have read Nahman of Breslov (I think it was David Roskies who called Nahman the first Yiddish writer)--and if you know Nahman's tale of the prince who thought he was a chicken the Metamorphosis begins to seem less strange. I audited David's brilliant classes on Yiddish literature when I was writing The Seventh Beggar.
Hi Pearl, thank you for this comment, and there are definite connections with Yiddish literature in Kafka's stories. Interesting to think of Nachman as the first Yiddish writer! I found that I learned a lot from Harman....I highly recommend.
I should add that you will find the photos here fascinating, esp. pictures of Belz Chassidim--including the rebbe--bathing in Germany in 1916. And much more!
Also meant to add, I am reading and loving/admiring Wolf Lamb Bomb. Will try to join this week's salon.
Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that you are loving WLB!!!
And it will be great to see you--both of these poets are very much worth hearing!!
bathing???
Yes! They are fully clothed but about to bathe. Here is the first sentence of the caption for the photograph: "The Hasidic Rabbi of Belz at Mariensbad Spa, surrounded by his court, mid-July, 1916." (Once again I recommend this book!
Hi Aviya, great newsletter! Are these new translations, or translations of previously unpublished stories? I'm asking because I have The Complete Stories published by Shocken in 1971, translated by Nahum Glatzer. Thanks!
Hi Sabine--thank you! These are new translations. I have read many of these stories before, in other translations. Harman's focus is on stories published between 1912-1924. I also have the Glatzer, but I think this new book is really special--I am sure you will find something you never knew about Kafka! I also know you will be fascinated by his comments on translation itself.
Thanks Aviya, this book sounds like a real treat, I will definitely get it. Did you know I had a picture of Kafka above my desk, staring at me every day while I'm working? :-)) Thanks again for your incredibly generous work.
I did not know this! I love this information! BTW this book includes a photograph of what Harman is almost sure was Kafka's desk. (I was delighted to realize I own one just like it, about 100 years old, from a consignment shop!)
How amazing! Il n'y a pas de hasard... I'll send you a picture of my picture of Kafka if you send me one of your desk!
That sounds perfect! Will send you pic when I am back!!
Thank you for the Harmon recommendation. I will definitely look for it. I love Kafka. I taught the Metamorphosis for many years to Bais Yaakov girls. It was, to say the least, an interesting and inspiring experience. As for Kafka's interest in Hebrew and Yiddish, I was delighted when I learned of his interest in the Yiddish theater.
Wow, Zeeva, that sounds fascinating! I am also delighted by Kafka's interest in Yiddish. The Harman book is special....I can feel the decades of research that went into it.