Rock Crystal (Jewel) [Paperback]

Stifter is my favorite writer, and to see two of his works in print, and available in the U.S., is, for me, a dream come true. I always check the "S" section in the bookstores to see if anything appears, and now, to my amazement there are two books in print. (This one, and *The Bachelors*, published by Pushkin Press). I like to think I have conjured Stifter.

I have, over the years, acquired about half of Stifter's works in out-of-print English translations. I want to direct people to these books. They can be found through Amazon and other online out-of-print book dealers.

First, some points about Rock Crystal. In the English speaking world, we get Goethean naturalism indirectly, through Wordsworth, then Ruskin. Stifter comes right on the heels of Goethe, and I see Stifter realizing some of Goethe's visions. Rock Crystal is very faithful to Goethe's naturalism. The children are nature-transformed on the glacier. I think of the falling star as an event that marks the conflation of the nature-transformation and the Christian transformation. Naturalized Christianity. The children's distance from the Christian festivities, far below them in the valleys, is a measure of the distance from Christianity that Goethean naturalism has taken us. Stifter is not quite post-Christian, as Goethe & Emerson were, but he is concerned with reconciling Christianity and Naturalism, as his conservative Biedermeier culture retrenched after Goethe's revolutionary forays into nature, which is beyond good & evil. This shadow side of nature leads to the dark side of Stifter's work, least of all in Rock Crystal, which maintains the tone of a simple children's tale. There is a new critical work on Stifter by Helena Ragg-Kirkby, who goes into this dark side of Stifter in great detail. She argues that Stifter was a modernist, far ahead of his time, anticipating kafka. I agree.

MORE STIFTER!!!--->

One needs to know how the German titles are translated.

*Narrenburg*
This early story is translated, clumsily as, "Crazy Castle"
It's available by download now, together with *Maroshely*, which is usually entitled, *Brigitta* (there are many out-of-print publications of *Brigitta*)

*Die Mappe Des Meine Urgrossvaters*
The 1851 translation is available through print-on-demand under the title

*Pictures of Rural Life in Austria and Hungary, Volume I*

*Nachsommer*
translated as *Indian Summer*
the masterpiece, published by Peter Lang (out of print), trans Wendell Frye--god bless him.

*Witiko*
the other masterpiece, an amazing historical novel. Learn what democrats and republicans were like in 1200. The republicans (upper nobles) hunted, partied, and were not too nice to their serfs.
also published by Peter Lang, trans. Wendell Frye

These are translated by Helen Watanabe-O'Kelly, (out of print--Angel/Dufour)
*Abdias* (amazing, important work)
*Kalkstein* -- trans. *Limestone*
*Waldsteig* translated as *The Forest Path*

In The German Library series #37 German Novellas of Realism, vol. 1, can be found *Granit* (Granite), *Brigitta*, and Stifter's famous Preface to Many Colored Stones (Bunte Steine)

These are translated by David Luke, published (out of print)Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.--->

*Kalkstein* (*Limestone*)
*Turmalin* (*Tourmaline*)
*Der Hegestoltz* (here translated, *The Recluse*, sometimes translated as *The Bachelors*)

*The Recluse* is also avaiilable (out of print) from Cape Publications

That's all I have. I desperately need the rest, but it may not be translated.

[...]

This is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read. The story is simple: A boy and a girl get lost in the mountains on their way home; it's Christmas Eve, and the two are somewhere in the Alps. What makes the books so unique is the way in which the children's ordeal is described: They are moving through a landscape that is made almost abstract by the snow; this is pure poetry! - Stifter is a forgotten genius of 19th century European literature; I'm glad that his touching Christmas Tale - and ideal Christmas present, by the way - is now available in this beautiful edition!

While this is subtitled "A Christmas Tale", this wonderfully written story is a story of belonging in a small, isolated community - a wonderful gift that is set at Christmas. Two aspects of the story make this a memorable bit of literature: First, the discription of the physical setting and the small details making the village unique, isolated and realistic are superb. Second, the understanding of human group behavior is outstanding - both in the definition of "outsiders" and in the common story required to become an "insider". This aspect is established early and confirmed by the climax of the story.

Excellent writing, excellent control of characters, interesting and simple plot ... well worth your time.