Die Welt von Gestern. Erinnerungen eines Europäers
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15
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Stefan Zweig, Europäer und Weltbürger, Kosmopolit und Pazifist, erzählt aus seinem verlorenen Leben, von seiner Kindheit und Jugend in Wien über die Zeit des Ersten Weltkriegs bis hin zu den 1930er-Jahren, in denen sich der Schatten des Faschismus über Europa legt. Er beschreibt, wie es einst war und wie es nie wieder sein wird, und das mit einer leidenschaftlichen, beschwörenden Prosa. Es ist die Geschichte einer ganzen Generation und ein Porträt einer Epoche, in der das Schöne und Gute zusehends einer unmenschlicher werdenden Welt weicht. – Mit einer kompakten Biographie des Autors.
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The first book I finished reading in German.
Zweigs view into europe before, during and in between both world wars is gripping and fascinating. I did find myself wondering how narrow Zweigs view is. While well travelled it is very clear that Zweig presents the view of someone in the upper classes and with ample means.
An absolutely magnificent portrait of a continent, a nation; a lament for the glory of the times gone by, the innocence lost, and a compassionate study of the drastic changes the two world wars brought onto the spirits of Europeans. Zweig writes a biography of Austria and Europe, from his youth in Vienna which was at the pinnacle of culture at the end of the 19th century, to his life in exile during WWII while his books were banned in his home country. With nostalgia he describes the end of the Habsburg empire, pictures how the whole continent was rich on progress, blind optimism and delusions of grandeur. And how nothing could be more contrasted than the reaction of the masses to the onset of two world wars. The first one, welcomed with enthusiasm and innocence. The second, feared with despair and grit, built on memories of the devastation of the last decades.
In between, Zweig chronicles his ascent to one of the most translated and famous writers of the time. His passion is a European community, he is a pacifist. He travels regularly, and spends time living in France, Germany and England. He adores and worships his fellow artists, seeks their friendship, collaborates and helps to promote and translate their works. Nothing in this book is more compassionate than his descriptions of his (all male) artist friends. I find it hard to believe one can find any one else today write such tender words about other men's physical and behavioral characteristics.
The coda to this biography is what's the saddest. Because Zweig and his wife committed suicide after he finished this manuscript. In 1942, in Brazil. Discouraged and broken from years of living in exile, fleeing a Europe anew in flames, nationless, witnessing the horrors of WWII, the horrors inflicted onto his fellow Jews.
A brilliant book, brilliantly written.
