Items related to Prolific and the Devourer
Synopsis
Book by Auden, W H
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
First published some 10 years ago in Antaeus magazine, this series of brief meditations was begun by Auden in 1939 and left unfinished. In it the poet seeks truth--political, moral, personal, spiritual--in cautionary reflections and finely ventured definitions that can sting with their meticulously objective slant, yet curiously passionate resonance. Auden will at times advise subversion, for instance, with the steely authority of a priest, but also seems only too aware of the pain that sinners--"all men are sinners"--must feel, regardless. He is most convincing when most palpably aware of the pain and the balancing of pain with the need for judgment. The mounting abstractness of Auden's discourse may be either blessed or damned, but it is exacting, and to some will seem irksome, too persistently high-minded. Yet from his struggles over art and politics, divine and human moral necessities, Auden tore--and honed--remarkably clear and committed thoughts, and they stick: " 'Work' is action forced on us by the will of another"; "Pure evil would be pure passivity"; " . . . intelligence only functions when the animal is unafraid"; and "To be forgiven means to realise that one has never been judged except by oneself."
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Composed during the portentous summer of 1939, soon after he arrived in America from England, this collection of aphorisms documents poet W. H. Auden's precipitate conversion from Marxism to conservative Christianity. Auden abandoned the work in September of that year, dissatisfied with its "mandarin" tone, and it remained unpublished until 1981, when the complete manuscript appeared in Antaeus. Although the text contains a number of biographical and psychological insights into Auden's psyche, it is essentially too s ui generis to be of general interest. Auden's decision not to publish was probably a wise one, and one questions the need for a book following the magazine publication. For specialized research collections only.
- Shelley Cox, Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherAntaeus
- Publication date1981
- ISBN 10 0912946946
- ISBN 13 9780912946948
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages93
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Prolific and the Devourer
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hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_400355269
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Prolific and the Devourer.
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Antaeus, New York., 1981
ISBN 10: 0912946946
ISBN 13: 9780912946948
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. Hardcover, 1981 first edition. No. 42 Summer. Text, dust jacket and boards in near fine condition. Dust jacket in brodart. Binding firm. Text free from markings. {93 pages}. Seller Inventory # 019094
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The Prolific and the Devourer: W.H. Auden
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Near fine book and jacket. Price-clipped. Seller Inventory # 108093
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Prolific and the Devourer
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Prolific and the Devourer
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The Prolific and the Devourer
Published by
Antaeus/Ecco, New York, 1981
ISBN 10: 0912946946
ISBN 13: 9780912946948
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Good Books In The Woods, Spring, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover version of the Antaeus literary magazine from Summer 1942. It is comprised almost entirely of an unpublished book by W. H. Auden - The Prolific and the Devourer. Auden began the book of alphorisms and reflections in the summer of 1939 and abandoned it in the fall of 1939. He wrote it during his first months in America when his attitudes towards Marxism, Paficism, and Optimism were changing. Auden later renounced his optimistic predictions of the moral improvement of humans which can be found in Part IV of the book. This is a tight and bright copy. Only flaws are minor bumping to top and bottom of spine. Dust jacket spine is lightly faded, protected in an archival cover. ; Large 8vo 9" - 10" tall; 93 pages. Seller Inventory # 42893
Quantity: 1 available