Declare Epithetical Books Illuminations: Essays and Reflections
| Title | : | Illuminations: Essays and Reflections |
| Author | : | Walter Benjamin |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 288 pages |
| Published | : | January 13th 1969 by Schocken |
| Categories | : | Philosophy. Writing. Essays. Nonfiction. Theory. Art. Criticism. Literary Criticism |
Walter Benjamin
Paperback | Pages: 288 pages Rating: 4.29 | 9816 Users | 224 Reviews
Description In Favor Of Books Illuminations: Essays and Reflections
Studies on contemporary art and culture by one of the most original, critical and analytical minds of this century. Illuminations includes Benjamin's views on Kafka, with whom he felt the closest personal affinity, his studies on Baudelaire and Proust (both of whom he translated), his essays on Leskov and on Brecht's Epic Theater.Also included are his penetrating study on "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," an illuminating discussion of translation as a literary mode, and his thesis on the philosophy of history. Hannah Arendt selected the essays for this volume and prefaces them with a substantial, admirably informed introduction that presents Benjamin's personality and intellectual development, as well as his work and his life in dark times. Reflections the companion volume to this book, is also available as a Schocken paperback.
Unpacking My Library, 1931
The Task of the Translator, 1913
The Storyteller, 1936
Franz Kafka, 1934
Some Reflections on Kafka, 1938
What Is Epic Theater?, 1939
On Some Motifs in Baudelaire, 1939
The Image of Proust, 1929
The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, 1936
Theses on the Philosophy of History, written 1940, pub. 1950
Be Specific About Books During Illuminations: Essays and Reflections
| Original Title: | Illuminationen |
| ISBN: | 0805202412 (ISBN13: 9780805202410) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Rating Epithetical Books Illuminations: Essays and Reflections
Ratings: 4.29 From 9816 Users | 224 ReviewsEvaluate Epithetical Books Illuminations: Essays and Reflections
Benjamin's writings on Proust, Kafka, Baudelaire and Leskov are really brilliant and engrossing. I was especially taken with his history of the storyteller in relation to Leskov's stories, how the verbal communication that was the initial component of storytelling dissipated after the fragmenting of human experience that came along with the realities of the industrial revolution and the barbarism of World War I, as if history itself killed mankind's ability to actually feel and processA wide-ranging collection of critical and aesthetic essays exploring everything from the process of literary translation across space and time to the artwork in the age of mechanical reproduction. Benjamins style, at once sensitive and incisive, is entrancing, though much of the criticism gathered here, including pieces on Kafka, Baudelaire, and Proust, feels archaic, ahead of its time but dated and shallow today.
This book is a valuable collection of essays and reflections by the German literary and cultural critic Walter Benjamin. The collection is enhanced by the excellent introduction provided by Hannah Arendt. Of the ten essays in the collection by far the most famous is The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. In this essay Benjamin discusses the impact of mechanical reproduction through photography and film on the nature of works of art, even so far as to shape the design of new
Walter Benjamin just had that vision to see what was underneth his subject matter. Wonderful writer who can look at each layer of whatever subject matter he's writing about. Cultural critic before there were cultural critics. Now this is a man you would like to sit down and have a glass of wine with him. Alas not here with us anymore, so the second best thing is to have a glass of wine and read this book.
These are meandering thoughts on the book (especially on Benjamin's Mechanical Reproduction essay). If you have any thoughts, insights, critique on my view I appreciate any comments. The topic of art is something I'm endlessly fascinated by and always love discussing! I loved the preface by Hannah Arendt, gives insight into mindset and analytical style of Benjamin. Offers perceptive bio framing his life against historical issues and cultural landscape (including situation of Jewish bourgeoisie
A must read for anyone interested in art and ideas and the confluence of the two.
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