Clairvoyant of the Small: The Life of Robert Walser

A clairvoyant of the small, Robert Walser was a Swiss-German modernist author who lived on the margins of European society. Susan Bernofsky's biography establishes him as one of the most important modernist writers of the early twentieth century.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

The first comprehensive English-language biography of one of the greatest literary talents of the 20th century, written by his award-winning translator and finalist for the 2021 NBCC Award for Biography.

"[An] authoritative, moving biography. . . . Walser made of his own multiform solitudes a gift to the outside world, offering readers an existential sympathy of a kind for which only he could find the appropriate literary expression." - Paul Binding, Times Literary Supplement

The great Swiss-German modernist author Robert Walser lived eccentrically on the fringes of European society, his pronounced interest in everything inconspicuous and modest prompting W. G. Sebald to dub him "a clairvoyant of the small." His revolutionary use of short prose forms won him the admiration of Franz Kafka, Walter Benjamin, Robert Musil, and many others. In this meticulously researched and beautifully written biography, Susan Bernofsky sets Walser in the context of early 20th-century European history, establishing him as one of the most important modernist writers.

Walser's life was marked by a series of eccentricities and contradictions. Born in Lucerne in 1878, he grew up in a conservative and religious family and was educated at a prestigious boarding school. However, he soon developed a taste for the avant-garde and began to experiment with different forms of literature and art.

Despite his unconventional lifestyle, Walser was a prolific writer, producing a vast body of work that included novels, short stories, poems, and essays. His writing was characterized by its surrealistic and abstract nature, often featuring characters who are lost in a world of their own creation.

Walser's interest in the mundane and the everyday was a hallmark of his work. He was particularly drawn to the small details of life, such as the texture of a piece of fabric or the sound of a bird's song. This fascination with the ordinary led him to develop a unique literary style that was both accessible and profound.

Walser's influence on modern literature was significant. His use of short prose forms, particularly the novella, was influential in the development of the form in the 20th century. His surrealistic and abstract approach to writing also influenced a generation of writers, including J. D. Salinger, William S. Burroughs, and Haruki Murakami.

Despite his success, Walser's life was often difficult. He struggled with mental health issues and was frequently in and out of hospitals. He also struggled to find a publisher for his work, which was often considered too avant-garde for mainstream audiences.

In the end, Walser's legacy is one of a unique and influential writer who pushed the boundaries of what was possible in literature. His work continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day, and his influence on modern literature is undeniable.

In conclusion, Robert Walser's life was marked by a series of eccentricities and contradictions. Despite his unconventional lifestyle, he was a prolific writer who produced a vast body of work that was characterized by its surrealistic and abstract nature. His interest in the mundane and the everyday led him to develop a unique literary style that was both accessible and profound. Walser's influence on modern literature was significant, and his legacy continues to inspire and challenge readers to this day.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300268041