"Very well, said Hans, finding himself in the awkward position of having to contest a solid argument, very well, Professor, let us go step by step. You maintain that to translate feeling is more difficult than to translate thought. I am not sure in what measures it is possible to conceive of an idea as being divorced from emotion, or emotion devoid of any ideas. This would be my first objection, that you seem to take for granted the existence of pure emotion as if it came from nowhere and were self-contained. In my humble understanding, emotions are not only generated by a specific language, they also arise from cultural exchanges, from prior exposure to other languages, from national and foreign connotations. This is the heterogeneous basis of our thoughts, feelings and writings. In order to avoid getting lost in metaphor and upsetting you, I shall try to give you a concrete example, Professor. Does Goethe feel in German on the one hand and on the other speak six languages? Or rather, as an individual who speaks and reads several different languages, does Goethe feel in a specific way that is peculiar to him and which in this case expresses itself in the German language? Isn't his broad cultural knowledge a current that is channelled, translated [sic] into his mother tongue? And by the same token, are the translations of Goethe's own poems into other languages not simply one more link in an infinite chain of interpretations? Who are we to decide which is the original, the first link?"
From Traveller of the Century by Andrés Neuman
Andrés Neuman *1977
A second time, an exception to my rule to only present female authors on this blog. But I had to add this inspiring author I had met at the international Literary Festival Writers Unlimited 2014 in January (see my blog on the month 'February'). So this time it's this promising author: Andrés Neuman, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a Spanish-Italian mother and a German-Jewish father, both musicians. He grew up and still lives in Grenada, Spain, where he studied philosophy and taught Latin American literature. Instead of describing his life, I prefer to quote from his books especially his wonderful book Traveller of the Century (=TC) which tells us more about this fascinating writer, his ideas and points of views than any list of awards:
"([...] How can you understand Novalis without heaven?) You're right, I disagree with him there. (Then why all the interest in Novalis, you, the atheist?[...]) Touché, touché, Novalis fascinates me because I don't quite accept him, I have to struggle with him in order to admire him. And since I never quite succeed, I constantly go back to him." (TC)
And it can been a struggle sometimes to read this fascinating novel by Andrés, though a rewarding one. Certainly because of the exceptional beautiful tone and language (my due respect to Nick Caistor & Lorenza Garcia for the translation) but also because of all those elaborate thoughts and ideas and concepts Andrés weaves into the story. A book some readers would dismiss because of the missing action. So, don't look for action or plot, but feel the impact the story and the lives of the characters have on you. Obviously, Andrés loves to dispute, discuss and argue and you as a reader get thoroughly involved. Another quote:
"Half-an-hour with her head buried in a book. Half-an-hour reading, becoming someone else." (TC)
Interesting enough, I was a traveller myself the time I've read the book. While I was commuting between Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meeting dear friends, I had wonderful (reading) places and views to contemplate. Additionally, my transitional situation, will I stay in Germany or will I return to the Netherlands, had an extra impact on my contemplation:
"(But if love itself is a journey, the old man argued, why would you need to leave?) Good question, well, for example, in order to come back, in order to be sure you're in the right place. How can you know that if you've never left it? (That's how I know I love Wandernburg, replied the organ grinder, because I don't want to leave.)" (TC)
Some remarks of the novel reverberated a long time in me which leads me to another quote from Andrés' latest book Hablar solos:
"I wonder sometimes if we unconsciously choose the books we are to read. Or if books, those intelligent creatures, choose their readers and take care to be noticed." (from Stille sprekers, my translation)
And there is more of it:
"One contemporary novelist, Professor Mietter went on, has suggested that the novel [...], the modern novel mirrors our customs, that ideas are irrelevant and only observation matters, and everything that happens in life is worth writing about. An interesting notion, and one that accounts for the prevailing bad taste wouldn't you agree? [...] This idea, said Sophie, of the modern novel as a mirror is much bandied about these days, but what if we ourselves were the mirrors? I mean, what if we, the readers, were a reflection of the customs and events narrated in the novel?" (TC)
Though the novel Traveller of the Century is placed in the 18th century, it reveals ongoing discussions that still have effect on our global world these days. Sometimes, reading these discussions in the book, I hesitated if Andrés wasn't 'mirroring' current events: "So every week I go to the market square touting for work, I talk to the farmers who are there selling produce and if I'm lucky they offer me a day's labour, or more, weeding, tilling, sowing, you know. The worst thing isn't when you stand there waiting to be hired and they look at you as if you were a dried up turd, it's ending the day wondering if you'll get any more work."
Is the novel only about historical events or are these current events draped in historical garments? Or does Andrés cleverly show us that history repeats itself and there isn't much new under the sun? As mentioned above, it sometimes was a struggle to get through to its essence and I admit that I am still working on it. Yet, to limit Andrés to this one (historical) novel won't do justice to this fascinating writer - his latest book Hablar Solos / Talking to Ourselves / Stille sprekers is about death and reveals a very human approach to it. Certainly, you'll find his love for philosophy and exchange of ideas also in this book but its point of view is much more focused and centres on questions of human behaviour.
Both books (besides others!) reveal Andrés as a very intelligent author caring for details, thinking things through. It also shows by the list of prizes, awards and nominations. I could mention them all to underline his quality. Trust me, it won't do (extra) justice to this exceptional writer. He beams and shines and every word he says is a thorough revelation. He is alert and wary of things happening in this world and able to link unthought-of ideas and make new and inspiring associations. At one discussion he revealed himself as a fervent user of twitter, blog and co. So, when you are able to read Spanish, go ahead and enjoy! For the rest of us read his books and feel inspired.
P.S.: Unfortunately, 'German only' readers still have to wait - there are no translations yet!
And it can been a struggle sometimes to read this fascinating novel by Andrés, though a rewarding one. Certainly because of the exceptional beautiful tone and language (my due respect to Nick Caistor & Lorenza Garcia for the translation) but also because of all those elaborate thoughts and ideas and concepts Andrés weaves into the story. A book some readers would dismiss because of the missing action. So, don't look for action or plot, but feel the impact the story and the lives of the characters have on you. Obviously, Andrés loves to dispute, discuss and argue and you as a reader get thoroughly involved. Another quote:
"Half-an-hour with her head buried in a book. Half-an-hour reading, becoming someone else." (TC)
 |
| YH at Bacharach, Rhine |
"(But if love itself is a journey, the old man argued, why would you need to leave?) Good question, well, for example, in order to come back, in order to be sure you're in the right place. How can you know that if you've never left it? (That's how I know I love Wandernburg, replied the organ grinder, because I don't want to leave.)" (TC)
Some remarks of the novel reverberated a long time in me which leads me to another quote from Andrés' latest book Hablar solos:
"I wonder sometimes if we unconsciously choose the books we are to read. Or if books, those intelligent creatures, choose their readers and take care to be noticed." (from Stille sprekers, my translation)And there is more of it:
"One contemporary novelist, Professor Mietter went on, has suggested that the novel [...], the modern novel mirrors our customs, that ideas are irrelevant and only observation matters, and everything that happens in life is worth writing about. An interesting notion, and one that accounts for the prevailing bad taste wouldn't you agree? [...] This idea, said Sophie, of the modern novel as a mirror is much bandied about these days, but what if we ourselves were the mirrors? I mean, what if we, the readers, were a reflection of the customs and events narrated in the novel?" (TC)
Though the novel Traveller of the Century is placed in the 18th century, it reveals ongoing discussions that still have effect on our global world these days. Sometimes, reading these discussions in the book, I hesitated if Andrés wasn't 'mirroring' current events: "So every week I go to the market square touting for work, I talk to the farmers who are there selling produce and if I'm lucky they offer me a day's labour, or more, weeding, tilling, sowing, you know. The worst thing isn't when you stand there waiting to be hired and they look at you as if you were a dried up turd, it's ending the day wondering if you'll get any more work."
Is the novel only about historical events or are these current events draped in historical garments? Or does Andrés cleverly show us that history repeats itself and there isn't much new under the sun? As mentioned above, it sometimes was a struggle to get through to its essence and I admit that I am still working on it. Yet, to limit Andrés to this one (historical) novel won't do justice to this fascinating writer - his latest book Hablar Solos / Talking to Ourselves / Stille sprekers is about death and reveals a very human approach to it. Certainly, you'll find his love for philosophy and exchange of ideas also in this book but its point of view is much more focused and centres on questions of human behaviour.
Both books (besides others!) reveal Andrés as a very intelligent author caring for details, thinking things through. It also shows by the list of prizes, awards and nominations. I could mention them all to underline his quality. Trust me, it won't do (extra) justice to this exceptional writer. He beams and shines and every word he says is a thorough revelation. He is alert and wary of things happening in this world and able to link unthought-of ideas and make new and inspiring associations. At one discussion he revealed himself as a fervent user of twitter, blog and co. So, when you are able to read Spanish, go ahead and enjoy! For the rest of us read his books and feel inspired.
P.S.: Unfortunately, 'German only' readers still have to wait - there are no translations yet!
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