The Birdsong Papers, which appeared in 1896 as Die Akten des Vogelsangs, was Wilhelm Raabe's next-to-last completed narrative. What might be called an anti-Bildungsroman, it is widely considered to be the work that secures Raabe's place as a precursor of German modernist fiction writers.

Its tone is critical of late-nineteenth-century society, both German and American, with its industrial expansion, urbanization, pursuit of wealth, and erosion of conventional values; but this critical tone also produces an uneasy tension for its narrator, Karl Krumhardt, a high-ranking bureaucrat with a stake in the stability of that society.

It is against that social-critical background that Krumhardt's Papers record a coming to terms with a subject - his longtime friend Velten Andres - whose life both fascinates and profoundly unsettles him. Velten is intelligent, imaginative, idealistic, and full of promise; but he cares nothing about his gifts, chooses self-imposed seclusion over conformity, and carries his individualism to what Jeffrey L. Sammons calls 'a kind of spectacular irrelevance in the conduct of life'.

With this translation of Die Akten des Vogelsangs, the first into English, a major work by one of the most respected German writers of the nineteenth century is made accessible to a new, international readership.

About the Authors

Michael Ritterson is Professor of German Emeritus at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Ritchie Robertson is Taylor Professor of German at the University of Oxford.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

I mainly carry imported books from South East Asia / South Asia for readers of all Age Groups.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

PLETOS INC
6931 51st Avenue, WOODSIDE, Woodside, NY, 11377, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

We accept return for those books which are received damaged. Though we take appropriate care in packing to avoid such situation.

Shipping Terms

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	12 to 19 business days	12 to 14 business days
First item	US$ 3.99	US$ 6.99

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.