Paul Scheerbart Livres

The narrative evokes a haunting stillness in a world where silence envelops both people and animals, suggesting a profound disconnect. A motionless policeman shares a park bench with a vagabond, engaged in a silent exchange, while a regiment of decorated night watchmen stands in perpetual attention outside the town hall. The absence of children's voices from the school amplifies the eerie quiet. Paul Scheerbart, known for his fantastical literature and illustrations, captures this unsettling atmosphere, inviting readers to explore themes of silence and observation.

A selection of Paul Scheerbart's writings, including "Glass architecture" and "Perpetual motion", as well as a collection of contemporary essays and responses

In the last days of 1907, the German novelist and exponent of glass architecture Paul Scheerbart embarked upon an attempt to invent a perpetual motion machine. For the next two and a half years he would document his ongoing efforts (and failures) from his laundry-room-cum-laboratory, hiring plumbers and mechanics to construct his models while spinning out a series of imagined futures that his invention-in-the-making was going to enable. The Perpetual Motion Machine: The Story of an Invention, originally published in German in 1910, is an indefinable blend of diary, diagrams and digression that falls somewhere between memoir and reverie: a document of what poet and translator Andrew Joron calls a "two-and-a-half-year-long tantrum of the imagination." Shifting ambiguously from irony to enthusiasm and back, Scheerbart's unique amalgamation of visionary humor and optimistic failure ultimately proves to be a more literary invention than scientific: a perpetual motion of a fevered imagination that reads as if Robert Walser had tried his hand at science fiction. With "toiling wheels" inextricably embedded in his head, Scheerbart's visions of rising globalization, ecological devastation, militaristic weapons of mass destruction and the possible end of literature soon lead him to dread success more than failure. The Perpetual Motion Machine is an ode to the fertility of misery and a battle cry of the imagination against praxis.

The Victorian-era German cult novel, set in the mid-twentieth century, serves up a utopian vision of a future of glass architecture, as the protagonist, Swiss architect Edgar Krug, circumnavigates the globe by airship with his wife, constructing a wild variety of colored-glass buildings in various locales.

Exploring the fantastical and whimsical, this collection showcases Paul Scheerbart's unique storytelling through a variety of tales. From the mythical figure of Rübezahl to the intriguing narrative of Der Wetterfürst, the stories delve into themes of magic, social commentary, and the surreal. Characters like the fanatical mayor and the noble robber captain bring humor and depth, while tales such as Der alte Petrus and Lachende Gespenster blend the supernatural with everyday life. Scheerbart's imaginative style invites readers into a vibrant world of creativity.

The life of Miguel de Cervantes, marked by adventure and turmoil, unfolds through the lens of Paul Scheerbart's narrative. Cervantes, after studying under a humanist, faced legal troubles in Spain, leading him to Rome. His journey took a dramatic turn when he was captured by Algerian corsairs and spent five years as a slave before being freed. Scheerbart aims to connect readers with Cervantes, presenting his own whimsical adventure in a style reminiscent of "Don Quijote," blending history with imaginative storytelling.

The enchanting imagery of a sunset reflecting on a pristine ice surface captivates the characters, particularly Countess Clarissa, who is transported to a world of fairy tales. Her delight in the lake's beauty, likened to mother-of-pearl, evokes a sense of escape from the mundane reality of Berlin. The interaction between Clarissa and her chambermaid adds a touch of whimsy, hinting at the fantastical elements that define Paul Scheerbart's writing. His work blends vivid descriptions with a playful exploration of imagination and wonder.

Recognized for its cultural significance, this work contributes to the foundational knowledge of civilization. Scholars have highlighted its importance, making it a valuable resource for understanding historical and societal contexts.