The Coral Merchant
Essential Stories
(Autor) Joseph RothNew translations of the six greatest short stories by Joseph Roth, collected in a beautiful edition Joseph Roth's sensibility--both clear-eyed and nostalgic, harshly realistic and tenderly humane--produced some of the most distinctive fiction of the twentieth century. This collection of his most essential stories, in exquisite new translations by Ruth Martin, showcases the astonishing range and power of his short stories and novellas. In prose of aching beauty and precision, Roth shows us isolated souls pursuing lost ideals and impossible desires. Forced to remove a bust of the fallen Austrian emperor from his house, an eccentric old count holds a funeral for it and intends to be buried in the same plot himself; a humble coral merchant, dissatisfied with his life and longing for the sea, chooses to adulterate his wares with false coral, with catastrophic results; young Fini, just entering the haze of early sexuality, falls into an unsatisfying relationship with an older musician. With the greatest craft and sensitivity, Roth unfolds the many fragilities of the human heart.
Joseph Roth
Joseph Roth was an Austrian journalist and novelist known for his poignant and lyrical writing style. He was a prominent figure in the European literary scene during the early 20th century. Some of his most notable works include "The Radetzky March," "Job," and "The Emperor's Tomb." Roth's works often explore themes of nostalgia, displacement, and the decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. His writing is characterized by its vivid descriptions, rich character development, and emotional depth. Roth's influence on the literary genre of historical fiction and his ability to capture the human experience in times of political turmoil have solidified his legacy as one of the most important writers of his time. His most famous work, "The Radetzky March," remains a classic of European literature and a testament to Roth's enduring impact on the literary world.
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