The Collected Novellas of Stefan Zweig (2015)

A collection of five of Stefan Zweig's thoughtful, emotional, and psychological novellas.

Book Review: The Collected Novellas of Stefan Zweig is a small treasure from the ever brilliant Pushkin Press. This was my introduction to the work of Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) and what a wonderful introduction it was. Five varied novellas from throughout his career: Fear (1910/1920), Burning Secret (1913), Confusion (1927), A Chess Story (1942), and Journey into the Past (1976). A Chess Story (his masterpiece) and Burning Secret are the best of the bunch, both unique and creative visionary works. Confusion (also known as Confusion of Feelings) is more average, at least to today's eyes, although it is a story with a message. It may have been more meaningful and powerful if I could have read it in 1927. Fear (aka Angst) and Journey into the Past are "smaller" works, each focusing on a narrower point and verging on melodrama. One-note works. In fairness, both do full justice to their narrower points. Both are stories with a heart and more emotion and feeling is better than less. The novella was Zweig's most effective art form. He made his stories just as long as they needed to be. Even in The Collected Stories not all of the works are "short" stories. Zweig's specialty, his chosen subject, is a mix of the romantic (in all senses of the word), emotions, and psychology. What could be called "human nature." He finds the depths in the people he writes about, often considering the many possibilities a particular stress, pressure or trauma might create. If they venture into the sentimental, so be it. All five works in The Collected Novellas of Stefan Zweig were ably and excellently translated by Anthea Bell. Although I don't speak German, having translated manuscripts I'm aware of the possible flaws (especially my own) in this secondary art. While reading translated works there are usually a number of "Is that the right word?" moments, indicating some (almost inevitable) communication breakdown between translator and author. There are few, if any at all, of these moments in the sensitive and capable hands of Ms. Bell. This diverse collection gives the reader a quick and valuable introduction to the range of Stefan Zweig's work. All these novellas have stuck with me.  [5★]