Songs on the Death of Children: Selected Poems from Kindertotenlieder

German poet Friedrich Ruckert's youngest children died of scarlet fever, and he wrote hundreds of laments in 1834. These translations by a fellow bereaved father offer practical insight and personal anecdotes for the bereaved, along with historical and cultural information and discussions of literary and biblical allusions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

German poet Friedrich Ruckert's (1788-1866) youngest children tragically succumbed to scarlet fever, a pandemic that ravaged his generation. During a span of over six months in 1834, he poured his heart out in hundreds of laments, which were subsequently compiled and published posthumously in the renowned poetry collection, Kindertotenlieder. Now, for the first time in English, these poignant modern translations by a fellow bereaved father offer a profound exploration of grief. Accompanied by practical guidance for the bereaved, each poem is enriched with personal anecdotes, historical and cultural insights, the latest research on grief, and discussions of literary and biblical allusions. This collection provides a unique window into the emotional journey of a grieving soul, offering solace, understanding, and hope to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476690421