Michael Hofmann is a translator and a reader. This new book of essays shows Hofman’s focus on classic American poets like Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Lowell, and Robert Frost. I learned a lot about Weldon Kees, an obscure American poet, from Hofmann’s essay. But the strength of Where Have You Been? is Hofmann’s essays on European writers. Sure, I’ve read some Gunter Grass and Stefan Zweig , but Karen Solie and Max Beckmann are new to me. If you’re interested in the European literary scene and the problems of translation, Where Have You Been? reveals a lot about both subjects. GRADE: B+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Preface
PART ONE
Bishop/Lowell Correspondence
Robert Frost and Edward Thomas
Weldon Kees
Ian Hamilton
James Schuyler
Elizabeth Bishop
Robert Lowell
Frederick Seidel
Ted Hughes
“Remembering Teheran”
Heaney’s Haiku
Basil Bunting
W. S. Graham
Zbigniew Herbert
Adam Iagajewski
Les Murray
Australian Poets
Karen Solie
PART TWO
“Sharp Biscuit”” Some Thoughts on Translating
Gottfried Benn
Hans Magnus Enzenberger
Max Beckmann
The Passenger
Kurt Schwitters
Arthur Schnitzler
Thomas Bernhard
Gunter Grass
Stefan Zweig
Robert Walser
Acknowledgments
I’m a big fan of Bishop and Frost – thanks George, sounds well worth a look.
Sergio, you’ll enjoy the essays on Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Frost. Hofmann knows the work of these poets well.
Sounds interesting but…too many books too little time.
Jeff, Michael Hofmann’s essays on contemporary European writers will have me searching for those books over the next few months.
I’ve read THE TIN DRUM but none of Grass’ other works, and little of the other European novelists listed. However, like Jeff, I have too many books, too little time.
Rick, I’m always open to good new books so I’ll explore some of these European writers that Michael Hofmann likes.
For a long time in the nineties I read a lot of poetry. And somehow it faded over time. Not sure why.
Patti, I have to be in the mood for poetry. But, I’m reading an article on Keats where he drew inspiration for his poetry from reading Shakespeare. I’m about to reread Shakespeare’s sonnets and a new book about the sonnets.