Title: Auto-da-Fé
Author: Elias Canetti
First published January 1, 1935
464 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780374518790 (ISBN10: 0374518793)
Rating: 4.03
Overview
“Auto-da-Fé” chronicles the life of a reclusive sinologist, Peter Kien, in Vienna between the two World Wars. Canetti expertly portrays Kien’s flawed personal relationships that ultimately lead to his downfall.
His housekeeper, Therese, and a brutish concierge, Benedikt Pfaff, manipulate him and force him out of his apartment, which houses his beloved library. In the underworld of the city, Kien is guided by a malevolent chess-playing dwarf until he eventually returns home.
However, his eminent psychiatrist brother’s misdiagnosis leads to a final crisis that will change Kien’s life forever. Originally published in Germany in 1935 as “Die Blendung,” “Auto-da-Fé” remains one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century.
Canetti’s incisive vision of an insular man battling against the outside world is as relevant today as it was when it first appeared in print.
About the Author
The 1981 Nobel Prize in Literature was bestowed upon this author for their extensive range of ideas, artistic talent, and broad perspective. After studying in Vienna, the author and their spouse Veza relocated to England before World War II, where they remained for many years.
Eventually, they settled down in London and Zurich during the late 1960s, and by the late 1980s, they had made Zurich their permanent residence. Sadly, the author passed away in 1994 while still living in Zurich.
Their notable works include [insert titles here].
Editoral Review
Auto-da-Fé by Elias Canetti is a literary masterpiece that delves into the human psyche and the complexities of the modern world. First published in 1935, the book is a classic of European literature, and its themes and style have influenced many writers since then.
Canetti was a Bulgarian-born writer, philosopher, and Nobel laureate who wrote in German and lived most of his life in England. The book belongs to the genre of psychological fiction, and it explores the themes of power, identity, love, and violence.
The style is dense, lyrical, and philosophical, with long passages of introspection and dialogue that reveal the innermost thoughts and motivations of the characters. The setting is Vienna in the 1930s, a city on the brink of war and social upheaval, where different cultures and classes clash and compete for dominance.
The plot revolves around the character of Professor Peter Kien, a reclusive scholar and collector of books who lives in a labyrinthine apartment filled with thousands of volumes. Kien is an intellectual snob who despises his fellow humans and seeks solace in the company of books.
His world is disrupted when he meets his new housekeeper, Therese, a young and ambitious woman who challenges his beliefs and desires. The conflict between Kien’s intellectual arrogance and Therese’s pragmatism leads to a series of tragic events that expose the flaws and contradictions of both characters.
One of the strengths of the book is its language and imagery. Canetti’s prose is dense and poetic, with a precision and understated elegance that captures the nuances of human emotions and the details of the physical world.
The descriptions of Vienna and its inhabitants are vivid and evocative, with a sense of irony and humor that balances the darkness and absurdity of the plot. Another strength is the character development.
Kien and Therese are complex and contradictory figures, with their strengths and weaknesses, fears and desires, beliefs and doubts. The secondary characters are also well-drawn, with their own quirks and motivations.
Canetti’s psychological insights are sharp and insightful, with a depth of understanding that transcends his own time and place. The pacing and structure of the book are also impressive.
Canetti uses a nonlinear narrative that shifts between different points of view and timeframes, creating a sense of tension and suspense that keeps the reader engaged. The themes of power, identity, love, and violence are interwoven and developed in a subtle and nuanced way, without resorting to moralizing or didacticism.
However, the book is not without its flaws. The plot can be convoluted and confusing at times, with too many subplots and characters that distract from the main story.
The philosophical and psychological musings can also be overwhelming and preachy, with a tendency to overanalyze and overexplain. Overall, Auto-da-Fé is a remarkable book that deserves to be read and studied.
Its insights into the human condition and the complexities of the modern world are still relevant and timely. Canetti’s style and language are a joy to read, and his characters are memorable and thought-provoking.
The book may not be for everyone, but for those who seek intellectual and emotional challenges, it is a must-read. Rating: 4.5/5
