Comments on: W.G. Sebald: Vertigo

By: Trevor

Trevor — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:47:57 +0000

I think in the U.S. it’s a similar mixed bag. New Directions (distributed by W.W. Norton) owns the copyright to the first three while Modern Library owns for Austerlitz.

By: John Self

John Self — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:04:40 +0000

I think Penguin (in the UK anyway) have the rights to Austerlitz only. The other three are published by Vintage (Random House). Penguin's literary magazine, Five Dials, has a lot of Sebald in the latest issue. Download it for free here (PDF file).

By: Trevor

Trevor — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:28:39 +0000

Dovegreyreader has started lobbying Penguin for a leatherbound version of Sebald’s four novels.

If I can be of help, I sure will! I’ll start by lining up right behind Kevin and DGR.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:40:08 +0000

Jonathan raises a very good point: “I find Sebald’s books quite exhausting to read…. but it’s worth putting the effort in.” I think looking back on it, I tried to read them all much too quickly and should have left some months between volumes — which is probably why a couple of the books don’t stay in my memory. I’ll give them another try in a few months.

Also on the Sebald front, as a result of recent posts here and elsewhere about high-quality books, Dovegreyreader has started lobbying Penguin for a leatherbound version of Sebald’s four novels. I’ll be first (well, maybe second after DGR) in line to buy if she is successful.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:47:00 +0000

I've never read Vertigo, or The Emigrants (I strongly intend to) but I can recommend The Rings of Saturn and Austerlitz as two books that left indelible impressions on me. I find Sebald's books quite exhausting to read. The themes are horrifying and the seriousness is unrelenting, but it's worth putting the effort in. He gets you to look at the world in a different light.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:39:26 +0000

If Vertigo turns out to be my favorite, we might just confirm your hypothesis, Kevin. We’ll see.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:16:58 +0000

This might be heresy, but I have sometimes wondered if Sebald is one of those writers where you like whatever books you read first — and then the latter ones are not nearly as impressive. That is certainly the way it worked for me.

By: John Self

John Self — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:55:55 +0000

I've read all Sebald's 'fiction' - at least I think I have, though in all honesty I'm not too sure about Vertigo. He's a great writer but I am afraid they do blur somewhat after a time. My favourite is firmly The Rings of Saturn, followed by The Emigrants. I know everyone says Austerlitz is his masterpiece, but I think I just wasn't in that frame of mind which Kevin identifies when I read it. Another time.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:41:30 +0000

I'm definitely most interested in The Rings of Saturn and Austerlitz since those are the two I've heard about again and again. I had never heard anything about Vertigo before finding it, which more than because it was his first book is really the reason I wanted to read it first — an effort to save the best for last. I'm glad you reaffirmed my suspicions. Next for me: The Emigrants. Have you ever read his essay? Apparently it's incredibly strong and srong-worded.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:37:29 +0000

I read all four Sebald's about five years ago -- started with Austerlitz which knocked me over and worked my way back. I have to admit now that images from Austerlitz remain very strong, there are some from The Rings of Saturn and the other two have faded completely. I suspect it is because the two I remember do have enough of a narrative line that I carry with me. I didn't dislike any of the books -- it is just that the other two didn't leave a lasting impression. So if my experience is any guide (and I suspect with this author it is not, since you found your own narrative strain in this book) you have much to look forward to. I plan to return at some point, but it will probably be a year or two -- you definitely have to be in the right frame of mind for Sebald. Your observation in your review of The Shawl about Holocaust books is also going to come up for renewal as you continue with Sebald. My own thinking on that front is that something so horrible perhaps takes two generations before observations of the experience (as opposed to recountings -- and in no way do I dismiss recountings) can be made.