Mi hermana y yo

by Friedrich Nietzsche, Bella M. Albelia (Translator)

Este libro, hasta ahora desconocido para muchos de los lectores de Nietzsche, fue terminado por el autor estando recluido en un asilo de Jena, y amargado por las intrigas de sus familiares más cercanos, empeñados en impedir la publicación de Ecce Homo en vida del filósofo. En él, Nietzsche cuestiona su vida entera.

Genres: Philosophy, German Literature, Autobiography, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1951

About the author

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture, who became one of the most influential of all modern thinkers. He began his career as a classical philologist before turning to philosophy. He became the youngest person to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel in 1869 at the age of 24, but resigned in 1879 due to health problems that plagued him most of his life; he completed much of his core writing in the following decade. In 1889, at age 44, he suffered a collapse and afterward a complete loss of his mental faculties, with paralysis and probably vascular dementia. He lived his remaining years in the care of his mother until her death in 1897 and then with his sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche. Nietzsche died in 1900, after experiencing pneumonia and multiple strokes.
Nietzsche's work spans philosophical polemics, poetry, cultural criticism, and fiction while displaying a fondness for aphorism and irony. Prominent elements of his philosophy include his radical critique of truth in favour of perspectivism; a genealogical critique of religion and Christian morality and a related theory of master–slave morality; the aesthetic affirmation of life in response to both the "death of God" and the profound crisis of nihilism; the notion of Apollonian and Dionysian forces; and a characterisation of the human subject as the expression of competing wills, collectively understood as the will to power. He also developed influential concepts such as the Übermensch and his doctrine of eternal return. In his later work, he became increasingly preoccupied with the creative powers of the individual to overcome cultural and moral mores in pursuit of new values and aesthetic health. His body of work touched a wide range of topics, including art, philology, history, music, religion, tragedy, culture, and science, and drew inspiration from Greek tragedy as well as figures such as Zoroaster, Arthur Schopenhauer, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Richard Wagner, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
After his death, Nietzsche's sister Elisabeth became the curator and editor of his manuscripts. She edited his unpublished writings to fit her German ultranationalist ideology, often contradicting or obfuscating Nietzsche's stated opinions, which were explicitly opposed to antisemitism and nationalism. Through her published editions, Nietzsche's work became associated with fascism and Nazism. 20th-century scholars such as Walter Kaufmann, R.J. Hollingdale, and Georges Bataille defended Nietzsche against this interpretation, and corrected editions of his writings were soon made available. Nietzsche's thought enjoyed renewed popularity in the 1960s and his ideas have since had a profound impact on 20th- and early 21st-century thinkers across philosophy—especially in schools of continental philosophy such as existentialism, postmodernism, and post-structuralism—as well as art, literature, music, poetry, politics, and popular culture.

Reviews

[Matthew W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining book but I seriously doubt this is an authentic second Nietzsche autobiography.

For example, Nietzsche frequently refers to his lost love Lou Andreas-Salomé as a Jewess when in reality she was a Russian of Nordic extraction.

In many parts of the book, the writing is borderline pornographic (incest between Nietzsche and his sister/masturbatory longings for Salome) and violently Philo-Semitic. But then again, this book was supposed to have been written after Nietzsche's mental collapse when he spent his remaining days in a mental institution.

I can only recommend this book to Nietzsche fanatics and people that want to read an almost parody-like pseudo-diary of the Teutonic Anti-Christ philosopher.

[Anano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finishing My Sister and I left me more curious about its origins than I was prior to reading it. I got stuck between valid questions but petty arguments of Kaufmann, who does not accept even a small chance of the work being authentic, and others' in-depth analysis connecting it to Nietzsche. The publisher's dodgy character, or the fact that Oscar Levy's family denies him working on or translating the manuscript from German to English (now lost), feeds my curiosity even more. Overall, I do think Nietzsche is deeply connected to this book, however, I don’t think it really is a translation of his written work. My theory is that he did write a similar piece that fell into the hands of egocentric Nietzsche fanatics, who altered it, expanded on it, and, on purpose, lost the original manuscript.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, the intro to this book was more interesting than the book itself (concerning the doubts about the authorship). Did Nietzsche really write it? Could he have written it? The book itself was at times super narcissistic and at times unintelligible (mostly because the entire text is filled with allusions to famous classics and obscure texts with which I am not familiar). Nevertheless it was interesting to read. It was split into bite size chunks/paragraphs that are not directly related to each other. And some good, deep points are made. “He” références his precious books a bunch (furthering my point of his megalomania).

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esto es un diario, no es un libro adecuadamente recopilado ante un titulo que ni existe, solo es el diario de Friedrich Nietzsche, dado que se da una vaga impresión con el titulo de que habla largo y extendido de su hermana Elisabeth, la cual es solo mencionada unas muy pocas veces, como también quiere dar referencia de un incesto entre estos dos personajes; llega a mencionarse una parte en que el los últimos "respiro" de su tía Rosalía quién sabia la verdad de la relación de ambos pero no se da una certeza que pudo evidenciar de que se trataba sobre incesto.
También conocemos amores como Lou Salomé o Cosima Wagner, aunque se nota que no tenía una gran opinión sobre las mujeres habiéndose criado durante toda su vida con el sexo femenino, es decir, su madre, sus tías y su hermana menor, su padre y su hermano fallecieron muy prontamente cuando el filosofo tenía solo cuatro años; y apenas tuvo acceso a la pasión mediante a prostitutas.
Sí, tenía una mala relación con su hermana, la cual hizo desastres con las obras de su hermano cuando murió dándole una mala fama de nazi; cabe destacar que en unos de los capítulos Nietzsche relata un suceso:

"Brandes y Strindberg no son ahora los únicos que proclaman tu genio. Hay otros, muchos oíros. Hasta me han pedido que escriba mis impresiones sobre ti.
Me resultaba difícil creerlo.
¡A ti!
Sí, y me han ofrecido dinero también.
¡Pero no lo harás!
¿Por qué no?
No sabes nada de mí ni de mis ideas.
¿Quién puede saberlo mejor que tu propia hermana?
Sí, ¿y quién puede conocerme menos?".

Por lo tanto esto recalca que por dinero su hermana Elisabeth Nietzsche era capaz de manchar el nombre de su hermano.
Ahora bien, sacando el tema de parientes, también se denota la filosofía del autor a lo largo del libro separados por capítulos, lo cual me a aparecido de lo más interesante y entretenido poder leer todo aquel pensamiento cuando estuvo recluido en un hospital psiquiátrico; me recordó vagamente a Fernando Pessoa en su "Plural de nadie" como también en sus diarios. La filosofía en si es bastante agradable en leer.

"Lo que perdemos, lo poseemos por siempre".

Citas: http://hechaensilencio.blogspot.com/2...

[Martha]

Para lo único que me sirvió éste libro es para entender el por qué Nietzsche odiaba a su hermana.
Provoca la náusea con cada palabra y claro que es falso.

[Mika Puoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally managed to find this book. The author's voice certainly sounds like Nietzsche's, and there are many intelligent and interesting passages that resonate with Nietzsche's "officially verified" philosophical concerns. If it is a forgery, the forger must be some kind of a genius in their own right, displaying detailed knowledge about Nietzsche's biography, and also familiarity with many subjects Nietzsche himself was familiar - and occupied - with: Greek mythology, philosophy, literature, history, theology... So, bravo for the (supposed) forger. Also, even though it could be said that a certain theme of despair and doubt about Nietzsche's philosophy "being built on sand" runs through the book, and it could be interpreted as a Christian maneuver to point out how Nietzsche, "The Antichrist" himself, was finally forced to resign from his Promethean hubris, this is done very subtly; there's no aspect of bad caricature that would stick out immediately. What I mean is that whatever the possible forger's motive may have been (if not just money) in writing this book, they clearly engaged with Nietzsche properly and tried their best to "embody" him.

I saw it said that there was a hint of pornography to the book, which I don't fully agree with. Of course some parts - and there is a certain repetitiveness in the book when it comes to these topics, which I took as a device to underscore the obsessive nature of the madhouse musings of a philopher - are sexual in nature, but I thought they tried to convey something more psychological or philosophical about the nature of intimacy, sexuality, and so on. The incest as a theme raises some questions. Why should anyone come up with incest specifically? I don't know. If this book was supposed to be read as an authentic Nietzsche biography, I would believe it; it would fit well to what is known about Nietzsche, although, of course, nothing in Nietzsche necessitates it.

'My Sister And I' is a very interesting book in its own right; I would even say *good*. Too much about this book's reception has been boiled down to the questions of authenticity and authorship. I'm surprised that those "death of the author" theorists aren't more interested in this book, since wouldn't they have a field day with it? However, some acquaintance with Nietzsche's official work may be recommended to understand the philosophical themes in this not-so-official work more properly.

I would have bought it as an authentic Nietzsche book, if not for a one little detail: at one point the writer mentions his 'Will to Power' (a book) and certain contents of that book. Game over. 'My Sister And I' was obviously written before it had been established by detailed philological research that the book we know as Nietzsche's 'Will to Power' was a composition never intended by Nietzsche as such, compiled from his notes by his sister and his publisher, and published only after his death.

I should also note that, in my eyes, this book doesn't "discredit" Nietzsche's philosophy in any way. It's almost in Nietzsche's own vein, a perpective, a lie --- "Why not lie?"

-------

There were also some biting and funny remarks in the book. Here's one about Schopenhauer:

"...who wrapped himself in the Buddhist veil of Maya, while he pulled the corsets off women with his brutish hands and threw an elderly seamstress down a flight of stairs to demonstrate his gospel of love and pity."

[La Pasión Inútil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Para alguien que haya leído a Nietzsche y conozca su estilo, su tono y opiniones, este texto se lee todo el tiempo desde una inevitable sospecha. Hay mucho en él que contradice sus posturas básicas: demasiada autoconmiseración, una visión a veces defensiva de lo religioso, un gusto inédito por lo vulgar, etcétera. Esto, además de lo forzadamente escandaloso de sus referencias incestuosas, permitiría negar la atribución que se hace de Nietzsche como su autor. En todo caso, hay ciertos fragmentos que valen mucho la pena y que sirven, si no como ideas nietzscheanas, al menos sí como formas de ver a Nietzsche y compréndelo en tanto filósofo y ser humano.

[Max Lewy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I doubt it is authentic, simply because there is no German original. But, highly recommended nevertheless, as it makes a wonderful counterpoint to and commentary on Nietzsche's other works, with insights and prose style practically indistinguishable from those actually written by this great genius.

[Sahar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hope this is not authentic..

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

toca genealogía de la moral ahora 😮

[Alfonso Oiz Chueca · Rating 3 out of 5]

nada que ver conmigo ni con mi hermana, pero ok para él; es un alemán de la belle epoque, son sus costumbres y hay que respetarlas.

[Dyfan Dyfans Dyfanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting fan fiction.

[Bradley Valentine · Rating 2 out of 5]

As others have said, this book is actually pretty compelling. The idea of Nietzsche’s lost work written as he goes mad and describing an upbringing that, frankly, would play right into the hands of detractors wishing to discredit one of religion’s biggest critics. A man who embraces moral ambiguity. A genius who sees beyond what most of us see. You can just about hear the purring of those who could never hope to match his arguments who suddenly could conclude, well, he cried for Jesus at the end. He was damaged goods all along with him and his sister’s “magic fingers,” haha.

To those who need a big argument and evidence beyond the crock published here (it really is self evident...the whole story makes no sense, let along this magic bullet showing up years after his death without the intelligence or personality -- which should be felt somewhere even sick).

On the other hand, it’s IS a fascinating premise. I found this book in my grandparents’ garage in the late 90s after their death. I was shocked that they even had a Nietzsche book at all, forgery or not. Like an idiot, I thought I discovered a lost treasure at first, haha.

In the end, it’s a interesting bit of historical fiction, lurid and wonderful. However, it falls quite short of the evidence you should require to damn two people as incestuous for all of history, not o mention dismiss such experts as Walter Kaufman simply before you like the story or because in your mind it proves the man who declared God as death to being a simple degenerate.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so interesting because of the ideas that run contradictory to so many of Nietzsche's otherwise salient thoughts. I've never met another person who has read this book or even heard of it, including a friend of mine who was attaining her doctorate in philosophy at Notre Dame by writing on Nietzsche. Frankly, I'm shocked that this book is in the database here.

Part of the reason this text is so obscure is because it's questionable. It was written near the end of Nietzsche's life and some people think he was already 'too far gone' when he wrote it for the text to be credible.* I think that a good deal of Nietzsche's genius (and eventual madness) is involved with his willingness to be 'too far gone' so I disagree. It is a moving set of confessions, admissions, and ruminations by the great thinker just before the time of his death. This book captured my attention so greatly at the time that I remember taking it on a trip to Boston and even reading bits of it at Fenway in between innings.

*Thanks to Conor's comment, it seems that the book is also in question because scholars believe somebody else wrote it. (See comments below...) If this is true, then I am reminded of the Carlos Castaneda controversy and my reaction is the same - If this is fiction, then it is a whole different type of impressive accomplishment.

[David Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Nietzsche is incredibly well-known over a century since his death, his incestuous relationship with his sister [and hatred of his mother] is not widely known. In this work, written in a mental institution, he write in short bursts about his sister, his mother, and three women he loved: Lou Salome, a Russian Jew, Cosima Wagner, and a Eurasion in a brothel. Google him and the three named women for photographs to enhance the experience of immersion in this ironic, romantic, cynical, hopeful, paradoxical mind.
The truly unique and remarkable quality of the book is how he meshes his past and his still evolving philosophy, self-critically, with sexual passages, sometimes in a single, short paragraph [few are more than a page, and most within chapters are numbered]. This may reveal to readers a "new" Nietzsche.

[Andy Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am convinced that the case against the authenticity of this work has not been well made. The arguments for its authenticity are more tightly argued and well researched. Although however it is written by one of the greatest of all philosophers, it is not entirely clear that it is a work of philosophy. It is nonetheless fascinating and well worth reading.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and thought provoking book, whether really the last work of Nietzsche or a fabrication. I don't think it would appeal to those not already familiar with the works of Nietzsche, or with at least a little knowledge of his life, but to 'fans' it makes intriguing reading.

[Alfredo Vidalon Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quote: "A good ruler can do more for the body of the state with poor machinery, it can make a bad king with a perfect machine."

Frase: "Un buen soberano puede hacer más por el cuerpo del Estado con una maquinaria pobre, que lo que puede hacer un mal soberano con una maquinaria perfecta".

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an old hardcover of this. I really ought to get the revised version of this book "written by" Nietzsche.

[Jake Maguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

A controversial book but, it really does read like the old guy wrote the thing.

[Kafkasfriend · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be read by those with an interest in the philosopher and the extents to which people go to discredit exceptionally good work.

[Elazar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regardless of whether Nietzsche actually wrote this book, it is a fascinating manuscript with many remarkable passages and brilliant messages.

[Katrinka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a convincing forgery, but interesting to see the attempt being made.