Leviathan by Arno Schmidt
"Leviathan" is a complex narrative that delves into the psyche of a German intellectual coping with the aftermath of World War II. The protagonist, a reclusive translator, grapples with his own personal demons and the broader existential crisis of a nation in ruins. Through a series of introspective monologues and interactions with both real and imagined characters, the book explores themes of guilt, isolation, and the search for meaning in a world that has been irrevocably altered by the horrors of war. The novel's dense and challenging prose, combined with its allusions to mythology and literature, creates a rich tapestry that demands the reader's engagement with the historical and philosophical questions it raises.
The 1962nd greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1949
- Nationality
- German
- Length
- Very Short
- Pages
- 144
- Original Language
- German
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- Alternate Titles
- None
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This book is on the following 2 lists:
- Best Foreign Work of Fiction Chosen by Francophone Writers (French literary magazine Transfuge)
- Fifty French Writers Choose Their Favorite 10 Books - Honourable Mention (On en garde 10 ! Pour la litteĢrature)