Eduard von Keyserling facts for kids
Eduard von Keyserling (born May 14, 1855 – died September 28, 1918) was a German writer. He was known for his novels and plays. Keyserling was part of the Baltic German community. He is famous for his style called literary impressionism. This style focuses on feelings and atmosphere. He often wrote about the Courland region, where he grew up.
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About Eduard von Keyserling
Eduard von Keyserling was born at Schloss Tels-Paddern. This place is now in Latvia. At that time, it was part of the Russian Empire.
He came from the noble Keyserlingk family. His uncle, Alexander Keyserling, was a famous geologist. Eduard von Keyserling passed away in Munich, Germany.
Keyserling's Writing Style
Keyserling's first novels were Fräulein Rosa Herz (1887) and Die dritte Stiege (1892). These books showed a style called Naturalism. This means they focused on showing life very realistically.
Later, his writing became more detailed and focused on feelings. He loved to describe how light played on nature. His stories often took place in the German Baltic areas. He wrote about grand houses and gardens. He also wrote about fir forests and the outdoors.
Many of his novels have a sad or thoughtful mood. His characters were often minor nobles. Sometimes, he included characters from simpler backgrounds. These "children of nature" were pure and unspoiled. Keyserling often explored conflicts between different generations.
After 1902, his novels and novellas became leading examples of German literary Impressionism. This style captures moments and feelings. It's like a painting with words. His essays and plays are not as well-known today.
His Reputation
Keyserling was well-known in Germany and the United States. His novels were translated into English in the late 1920s. Important newspapers reviewed his books.
His works were also used to teach the German language. This was because his writing style was easy to understand. His sentences were clear and not too long.
Keyserling was a very skilled and elegant writer. His stories create a strong mood and feeling. His book Fürstinnen (Princesses) is one of his most famous works. It's a unique story, not just a typical castle novel. Some people compare his writing to Ivan Turgenev or Anton Chekhov. He shared a similar thoughtful and sometimes sad view of life.
Main Works
- Fräulein Rosa Herz. Eine Kleinstadtliebe (1887)
- Die dritte Stiege (1892)
- Die schwarze Flasche (1902)
- Beate und Mareile. Eine Schloßgeschichte (1903)
- Schwüle Tage (1904)
- Seine Liebeserfahrung (1906)
- Dumala (1908)
- Bunte Herzen (1909)
- Wellen (1911)
- Abendliche Häuser (1914)
- Im stillen Winkel (1914)
- Nicky (1914)
- Am Südhang (1914/16)
- Fürstinnen (1917)
- Feierstagskinder (1918)
- Gesammelte Erzählungen, edited by E. Heilborn, 4 volumes, Frankfurt a.M. 1971–1973
Works Translated into English
- Gay Hearts: 1909. (Bunte Herzen). Translated by Bayard Quincy Morgan. New York: The German Publication Society, 1914.
- Twilight. (Abendliche Häuser, Harmonie, and Kersta). Translated by James Ashton, Amy Wesselhoeft Von Erdberg, and A. W. Von Erdberg and E. Drew Arundel. New York: Macaulay, 1927.
- The Curse of the Tarniffs. (Beate und Mareile). Translated by Arthur Jacob Ashton. New York: Macaulay, 1928.
- Tides. (Wellen). Translated by Arthur Jacob Ashton. New York: Macaulay, 1929.
- The Man of God. (Dumala). New York: Macaulay, 1930.
- "Princesses". (Fürstinnen). Translated by John B. Rutledge.
- "Holiday Children". (Feiertagskinder). Translated by John B. Rutledge.
- "Number 2, Margaretenstrasse". (Die Dritte Stiege). Translated by John B. Rutledge.
- "In a Quiet Corner". (Im stillen Winkel). Translated by John B. Rutledge.
- "Sultry Days". (Schwüle Tage). Translated by Tony Malone (2018).
- Waves. (Wellen). Translated by Gary Miller. Cambridge: Dedalus Ltd., 2019.
- "Experiences of Love". (Seine Liebeserfahrung). Translated by Tony Malone (2019).
- "Neighbours". (Nachbarn). Translated by Tony Malone (2020).
- On Southern Slopes. (Am Südhang). Translated by Tony Malone (2023).
