The Shadow of the Coachman's Body

In 1960, Peter Weiss's debut prose work, The Shadow of the Coachman's Body, was unanimously praised as an original and perfect work of art. Weiss arranges a dark, vivid comedy of inert objects in a dismal boarding house, which have oblique characters shadows as their supporting cast. Described as a "micro-novel," it is obscene, trivial, and brutal, yet intimate and offers endless possibilities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 20 May 2022
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation

When Peter Weiss' debut work of prose, The Shadow of the Coachman's Body, was published in 1960, it received unanimous acclaim from critics as an original and flawless masterpiece of art. In this captivating translation by poet Rosmarie Waldrop, Weiss masterfully orchestrates a dark, vividly alive comedy of inert objects inhabiting a desolate boarding house. These objects include stones, buttons, hooks, needles, chairs, newspapers in an outhouse, clinking tin cups, celestial orbs, sewing machines, and an overwound windup music box. As their supporting cast, they cast oblique shadows upon these characters. Weiss himself describes The Shadow of the Coachman's Body as a "micro-novel," a term that encapsulates its unique blend of obscenity, triviality, and brutality. Yet, despite its outwardly harsh nature, the work is also remarkably intimate, offering endless possibilities akin to a telescope and kaleidoscope combined. Each page of this enigmatic masterpiece invites readers to explore its depths, revealing a tapestry of emotions and insights that defy conventional storytelling. Through its intricate and multifaceted narrative, Weiss challenges the boundaries of literature, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of human existence and the profound impact of the mundane. The Shadow of the Coachman's Body remains a testament to Weiss' talent as a writer and a visionary who has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

Weight: 96g
Dimension: 113 x 184 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811231619