Heinrich Heine: Writing the Revolution

Heinrich Heine was a German poet, satirist, and visionary humanist whose life story and writing are relevant to contemporary readers. This book explores his political, literary, and philosophical movements, as well as his insights into social justice, exile, and the role of art in fostering a more equitable society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) was a virtuoso German poet, satirist, and visionary humanist whose dynamic life story and strikingly original writing are ripe for rediscovery. In this vividly imagined exploration of Heine's life and work, George Prochnik contextualizes Heine's biography within the different revolutionary political, literary, and philosophical movements of his age. He also explores the insights Heine offers contemporary readers into issues of social justice, exile, and the role of art in nurturing a more equitable society.

Heine wrote that in his youth, he resembled "a large newspaper of which the upper half contained the present, each day with its news and debates, while in the lower half, in a succession of dreams, the poetic past was recorded fantastically like a series of feuilletons." This book explores the many dualities of Heine's nature, bringing to life a fully dimensional character while also casting into sharp relief the reasons his writing and personal story matter urgently today.

Prochnik provides a jaunty narrative of Heines schooldays in Bonn and Göttingen, journalistic career in Berlin, and twenty-five-year exile in Paris, detailing his literary feuds, scraps with censors, and unwavering belief in political liberty. Kirkus Reviews praised the book, stating that it provides a discerning portrait of the writer and his times.

Heine's writing is characterized by its wit, irony, and social commentary, and his influence on German literature and culture is profound. This book offers a fresh perspective on Heine's life and work, shedding light on his complex personality and his enduring legacy. Whether you are a fan of Heine's writing or a newcomer to his work, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and literature of Germany.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 175 x 218 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300236545