Correspondence

Together Max Frisch and Friedrich Durrenmatt are not only two of the most esteemed Swiss writers of the twentieth century, but arguably two of the most important European writers since World War II. The remarkable letters gathered here document their unique, unlikely, and extraordinary friendship. This collection of correspondence offers a picture of two temperaments that could not have been more different. As their letters show, at first their friendship was tentative, both critical and respectful, as one might imagine of two contemporary literary giants. Then, under the pressure of their increasing fame, Frisch and Durrenmatt's letters became more teasing in spirit and began to carry a noted undertone of irony. Finally, perhaps inevitably, the friendship became seriously endangered and failed. Available in English for the first time, this collection includes an introduction by Peter Ruedi that places the letters within the context of the authors' lives and works, as well as the larger historical events of the time. Detailed notes, a chronology, photographs, and facsimiles of the original letters complete the book, which will be engaging reading for admirers of Frisch and Durrenmatt, as well as fans of modern German writing in general.

ISBN 1906497915   DEWEY edition DC23 ISBN13 9781906497910 (What's this?)   Pages 240 Publisher Seagull Books London Ltd   Weight (grammes) 356 Imprint Seagull Books London Ltd   Published in Greenford Format Hardback   Series title The Swiss List Publication date 10 Jan 2012   Height (mm) 183 Translator Birgit Schreyer Duarte   Width (mm) 116 Writer of introduction Peter Ruedi   Spine width (mm) 30 DEWEY 838.912   Academic level Postgraduate

"The fascinating thing about the Correspondence is the insight into the impossibility of friendship between the two." -Suddeutsche Zeitung "Correspondence makes a contribution to the history of a major era in German-Swiss literature."-Modern Language Review"

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