
The Eternal Philistine
An Edifying Novel in Three Parts
Odon Von Horvath(Author)
Melville House Publishing
Published on 27. March 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-935554-47-9 (ISBN)
Description
This never-before translated work by a major yet overlooked mid-20th century writer is a brutally funny look at the human comedy on the eve of Europe's decent into Fascism.
It tells the tale of a failed used car salesman who wants to live the high life, and so decides to travel by train from Munich to Barecelona to attend the World's Fair - in hopes of meeting a beautiful, rich woman who will provide for his every whim.
It's a highly-stylized and, at times, raucously funny tale of the almost-absurd: a dark and satiric look at Europeans, and especially Germans, on the brink of cataclysm. Adrift in their acquisitive desires, they are vulnerable to the propaganda of the State - making this novel brilliantly foresightful in its understanding of politics and human nature at a crucial point in modern history.
Ödön von Horváth's scathing insight, in fact, led to his having to flee the very society he depicted when, living in Berlin, he drew the wrath of the Nazis. And yet this hilarious tour-de-force - written just after his escape, and just before his death in a tragic accident - eschews bitterness for rambunctious perseverance and compassion, and provides ample evidence of why von Horváth deserves renewed appreciation.
It tells the tale of a failed used car salesman who wants to live the high life, and so decides to travel by train from Munich to Barecelona to attend the World's Fair - in hopes of meeting a beautiful, rich woman who will provide for his every whim.
It's a highly-stylized and, at times, raucously funny tale of the almost-absurd: a dark and satiric look at Europeans, and especially Germans, on the brink of cataclysm. Adrift in their acquisitive desires, they are vulnerable to the propaganda of the State - making this novel brilliantly foresightful in its understanding of politics and human nature at a crucial point in modern history.
Ödön von Horváth's scathing insight, in fact, led to his having to flee the very society he depicted when, living in Berlin, he drew the wrath of the Nazis. And yet this hilarious tour-de-force - written just after his escape, and just before his death in a tragic accident - eschews bitterness for rambunctious perseverance and compassion, and provides ample evidence of why von Horváth deserves renewed appreciation.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Brooklyn
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 205 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
197 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-935554-47-9 (9781935554479)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Odon Von Horvath
The Eternal Philistine
E-Book
03/2012
1st Edition
Melville House
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Odon von Horvath