May: An epic poem about youth - Couverture rigide

Gorter, Herman

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 9083133621 ISBN 13 : 9789083133621

Editeur : Arimei Books, 2021

Synopsis

After 132 years, Herman Gorter's classic Dutch masterpiece 'May' is for the first time available to the English reader. An interpretation from the heart, this illustrated translation celebrates the carefree springtime of our lives.
'May' is Volume 1 of 'The Essential Gorter'. The original text 'Mei' is included.

Shortlisted voor de Best Book Awards 2022 (Finalist).

'The translation has been done meticulously ... with an intensity of language which reveals intuitive clarity of vision and profound empathy ... I recommend that you begin this journey without loss of time.' - Anne Walter, editor, ex. Birmingham University

'Closer to Gorter is near impossible' - Jan de Jong, for Tzum, reviewer and poet

'Both volumes [of The Essential Gorter] are a must-read for anyone with an interest in language and poetry...' - Prof. dr. Jacqueline Bel, Professor of Literature at VU Amsterdam, in CAANS magazine (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Netherlandic Studies)

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Gorter was born in Wormerveer, a rural town in the north-western Netherlands. His father, a pastor, died when he was six years old. Gorter studied classical languages in Amsterdam and became a teacher at a high school. In 1889, after three years of work on his epic poem 'May' (in Dutch: Mei), Gorter finally could proclaim “the thing is done.” 'May' was published in the contemporary periodical The New Guide (De Nieuwe Gids). It was a retrospect of Gorter’s youth, borrowing both form and theme from John Keats’ 'Endymion' (1818), yet tracing its way through a wide range of impressions: of nature, music, love, the search for the divine, disillusion, transience, and melancholic reflection. Spontaneous and full of vibrant imagery, 'May' quickly became a landmark of the 1880s literary movement in The Netherlands, the so-called ‘Eightiers’ (Tachtigers), which attempted to reclaim aesthetics for art. In 1890, the even more innovative 'Verses' (Verzen) were published, in which Gorter digs further and tries to let his spiritual and sensual emotions express themselves. Always in search of the ultimate form of poetry, Gorter would gradually distance himself from the individualistic ‘Eightiers’ movement. He became increasingly politically engaged and turned to expressing his Marxist ideals through his work, for example in the epic poem 'Pan' (1916) and 'Lyrics' (Liedjes, 1930). Gorter however never gave up his identity as a poet. Love remained a key theme in his work until his death.

À propos de la quatrième de couverture

'May' is Volume 1 of 'The Essential Gorter'. The classic original Dutch text 'Mei' is included in this special edition.

'May' describes the magical journey of adolescence against the background of Holland’s flowery dunescapes. In strokes of wonder-filled impressions a stunningly unspoiled girl, May, explores the promise of springtime and the intense spiritual life of youth.

However, the cycle of life always moves on, and as May matures and returns to earth, she finds it readying for summer.

When Herman Gorter published 'May' (Dutch: Mei) in 1889, this spontaneous and vibrant epic poem was immediately recognized by his peers as a landmark of Dutch literature. 'May' was perhaps an inevitable product of the artistically revolutionary and highly lucid spirit in The Netherlands of the 1880s. While Gorter’s contemporary, Vincent Van Gogh, had just completed the groundbreaking 'Sunflowers' series of paintings, Gorter succeeded with 'May' in composing his own artistic monument of colourful and innovative power.

'The reader is drawn almost breathlessly onward through magnificent word-groups ... full of surprising turns of phrase ... Before you know it, you'll be reading it out loud!' - Lloyd Haft, poet

'Closer to Gorter is near impossible' - Jan de Jong for Tzum.

'A must-read for anyone with an interest in language and poetry...' - Dr. Jacqueline Bel, Professor of Literature, VU Amsterdam, CAANS Magazine.

'This thoughtful, lyrical translation will stir the imagination and invite consideration of what makes the heart sing, even if the joy, like May, is only temporary. The poem, though, will endure.' - Editor's Pick, Booklife

Translated by M. Kruijff. Bilingual and annotated edition.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Arimei Books
• Date d'édition: 2021
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 9083133621
• ISBN 13: 9789083133621
• Reliure: Relié
• Illustrateur: Polakovičová Eva, Baars Cisca
• Numéro d'édition: 1
• Nombre de pages: 332
• Éditeur: Leffring Myrte, Francken Vicky, Walter Anne
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: non disponible