The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig (May 2022)

[Roman Clodia]

Welcome to our buddy read of The World of Yesterday: Memoirs of a European by Stefan Zweig.

Stefan Zweig's memoir, The World of Yesterday, recalls the golden age of pre-war Europe—its seeming permanence, its promise and its devastating fall. Through the story of his life, and his relationships with the leading literary figures of the day, Zweig's passionate, evocative prose paints a stunning portrait of an era that danced brilliantly on the brink of extinction.

This translation by the award-winning Anthea Bell captures the spirit of Zweig's writing in arguably his most important work, completed shortly before his death in a suicide pact with his wife in 1942.

We'll officially open the discussion in mid-May 2022, but the thread is open for any comments or chat. Do join us!

[Stephen]

This looks really good. Thanks for the Kindle tip. Hope to join in when it comes round, if I remember.

[Susan]

As you have posted in this thread, Stephen, you should get updates when further messages are added, so hopefully that will prompt you :)

[Stephen]

A different Stephen here. This is a fascinating book, giving excellent background to Europe in late 19th and earlier 20th centuries. Sad too, as the author's dreams of a transnational intellectual community are spoiled by events.

[WndyJW]

I just ordered this book. Looking forward to discussion.

[Brian E]

After my first Zweig in May of 2020 I read 4 more within 9 months and became a bit burnt out on his stories. But its been over a year since my last Zweig and this is a non-fiction that's been a TBR for me so I'm in for the May buddy read too.

[Susan]

I have read this and I loved it. Glad there is a fair amount of interest and I am sure we will have a lot to discuss. It is a wonderful portrait of a lost era.

[Nigeyb]

I'd say this is essential reading for anyone interested in the period between 1880 and 1941


This book brings to life extraordinary times and is a great read for anyone keen to understand twentieth century European history. It also features some fascinating encounters with many of the major writers and composers of the era from across Europe. These touching anecdotes are in stark contrast to Stefan Zweig's first hand account of the Nazis and their systematic destruction of the humane culture he cherished. Stefan Zweig's subsequent persecution and exile, followed by more on his death in the Publisher's notes at the end of the book, make for a heartbreaking finale.

[WndyJW]

The only Zweig I’ve read is Beware of Pity and I didn’t love it. It might have been a matter of timing on my part.

[Stephen]

Nigeyb wrote: "I'd say this is essential reading for anyone interested in the period between 1880 and 1941

Yes the ending, which does not appear in the actual text, is heartbreaking, and if you know it before you start the book it adds even more poignancy to his systematically shattered hopes. But much of the book is, at the time it was written, quite optimistic and should be read as such.
Vienna and its history has always been fascinating to me, which adds to the appeal of this book.
I can't remember now, but did he talk about Thomas Mann, who was already a famous German writer within SZ's lifetime, but had only shown his antipathy with Germany at about the time Zweig's book comes to an end?

[Nigeyb]

Stephen wrote:


"I can't remember now, but did he talk about Thomas Mann...."

I can't remember either Stephen

[Brian E]

WndyJW wrote: "The only Zweig I’ve read is Beware of Pity and I didn’t love it. It might have been a matter of timing on my part."

Or maybe you just felt like many readers do as described in this part of my review and 5-star rating of Beware of Pity:
"I can see how this book could evoke divided opinions. Some GR reviewers find it overly melodramatic with unlikable characters. One asserted it should be called Beware of Over-Reacting. (I kind of like that - it is an accurate description of the characters' reactions) Other readers find it to be a "detailed, psychologically nuanced, and deep novel."
Personally, while I understand and sympathize some with the former view, I'm more with the latter opinion. I found the novel's psychological insights into pity to be more illuminating than overly melodramatic."

[Nigeyb]

Another thumbs up for Beware of Pity...


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Roman Clodia]

I was in the 'melodrama' group, I'm afraid, with Beware of Pity (www.goodreads.com/review/show/2317692528) - but am ready to put that behind me and make a fresh start with Zweig.

[WndyJW]

You might be right, Brian. I just didn’t find it that interesting, as I recall.

[Judy]

I absolutely loved Beware of Pity, and The Post Office Girl and the short stories/novellas by him that I've read so far - which reminds me that I've still got some more I haven't got to yet.

[WndyJW]

I got my copy. I look forward to reading this.

[Ben]

Loved the forward, then the writing dragged for me for awhile, but beginning with his chapter on education I've become completely enthralled. I'm not quite halfway through and I highly recommend it. The vignettes on various individuals, such as Herzl, Rilke and Rathenau and the description of how artists and writers lived in Paris around the turn of the 20th century without having to commercialise their work are marvellous, as is his growing understanding of the effects of racial and class division.

I'm looking forward to our discussion next month

[Susan]

I loved it when I read it, so am looking forward to a re-read but have a number of books I need to finish first.

[Stephen]

Its interesting to compare Zweig's autobiographical work with the slightly fictional biography of Thomas Mann's life in "The Magician' Colm Toibin.
While Zweig was growing up in Vienna, Mann's first years were in Lubeck on the Baltic Coast.
Mann was an ardent supporter of the Kaiser during WWI, but realized the error of his ways as Hitler began his ascent. Aided by the fact his wife was Jewish. He spent years in the US as a leading light in the German expat anti-Nazi movement. Perhaps he was able to make this switch because he was at heart more rational than passionate.
Steig, a Jew himself, remained faithful to his desire for a trans-national harmony of intellects. As his hopes faded, he was ultimately guided by passion more than intellect.

[Susan]

I have started re-reading this now. Has anyone else read this, or are planning to do so?

[Roman Clodia]

I'm planning to read this, Susan, but haven't made a start yet - I'm one of the few people I know who pretty much hated Zweig's Beware of Pity so looking forward to seeing how I might react to his writing here.

[Susan]

I think I have struggled with some of his fiction (haven't read Beware of Pity) but loved this. I think you will too, RC. It's really a fascinating portrait of an era.

[Roman Clodia]

I've got way too many books on the go at the moment so want to finish at least one and get back to the Francis Bacon biography that Nigeyb and I are buddy-reading before starting on this and Lolita - so that's my Bank Holiday planned!

[Roman Clodia]

Btw, on the subject of Central Europe and the Austro-Hungarian empire, have you read The Transylvanian Trilogy, comprising They Were Counted, They Were Found Wanting, They Were Divided by Miklós Bánffy?

I read the first one some years ago and stupidly didn't go onto the second straight away so am planning to reread it and then follow on with other two - it gives a fascinating alternative perspective on Europe in the late nineteenth century that I knew little about.

[Roman Clodia]

Oops, meant to post my spoiler-free review if you're interested, Susan:

www.goodreads.com/book/show/709829.Th...

[Susan]

Definitely on my TBR list, RC, but I haven't got to them yet.

[Brian E]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Btw, on the subject of Central Europe and the Austro-Hungarian empire, have you read The Transylvanian Trilogy, comprising They Were Counted, They Were Found Wanting, They Were Divided..."

I really enjoyed reading all 3 books of The Transylvanian Trilogy. I did not write a review, but have compiled one based on reviewing comments made at the time. I put it in spoilers to avoid annoying the less interested.

(view spoiler)[ I thought the first book started out slowly, but I grew to enjoy it more and more and a probable 3 star read became almost a 5 star read by the end. The second novel was great and the third the weakest, but that was because WWI was to come.
This is an epic with counts and princes like War & Peace, upper class family soap opera romance like the Forsyte Saga, and politics like Trollope's Pallisers but with more significance. Like Trollope, it also has visiting and hunting at country estates, though it’s bird/deer rather than fox.
Banffy’ trilogy is also more lushly descriptive, less insular and has more poignancy and gravity. With Banffy’s trilogy, I am looking at not only a way of life and a governing system, but also the mechanisms and events that will spur the ending of both. The trilogy often depicts the Austrian/Hungarian/Romanian conflicts within the Hungarian area along with references to relations other peoples, areas, and countries.
The book is also more erotic than I anticipated, but Banffy writes those scenes well, descriptive without being overly explicit. He also did a great job (mini-spoiler) describing gambling addiction
As I did enjoy this very much, if I live long enough, I could see rereading it in 15 years (hide spoiler)]

RC, while I think you posted the link to the book rather than your review itself, I got to your review anyway fairly early in the list of all reviews. I did write mine before reading yours.

EDIT; i have started The World of Yesterday but will likely read it slowly over the course of the month.

[Nigeyb]

Brian wrote:


"I have started The World of Yesterday but will likely read it slowly over the course of the month"

A good approach Brian - that way you get to savour an absorbing book which brings to life extraordinary times which helps to understand and appreciate twentieth century European history. It features some fascinating encounters with many of the major writers and composers of the era from across Europe. These touching anecdotes are in stark contrast to Stefan Zweig's first hand account of the Nazis and their systematic destruction of the humane culture he cherished.

[Susan]

I agree, this is definitely not a book to be rushed. Zweig's early approach mirrors a far more placid time and that, as Nigeyb so rightly points out, contrasts sharply with the later jarring era of Nazism.

[Stephen]

I was about half way through the book when I decided to look up where and when Zweig died. What I learned made the last part even more powerful and sad as a record of disappointment.

[Roman Clodia]

Just starting now, and yes, that air of melancholy is there right from the beginning with Anthea Bell's note and then Zweig's preface.

There are such conflicting accounts about what was known about the camps and when but I think I'm glad that Zweig never knew about the extermination camps.

[Susan]

I am currently at the part just after WWI and I think his writing about how so many Jewish German writers responded to the war makes you understand better why people didn't leave at the rise of Hitler. Hindsight is an easy thing, but people just didn't believe such things could, or would, happen. It was unthinkable to so many who may have left the East for a safer home and felt they had found it in Austria or Germany.

[Roman Clodia]

And sadly the current news is giving us first-hand insight into why people didn't leave, and also the sheer disbelief at what might happen. Not that I'm comparing the news to the Holocaust but it's been a chilling reminder of how the unthinkable can become reality
:((

I like Zweig's voice and his very humane way of seeing the world.

[Susan]

Yes, he comes across as very human - I like his penchant for collecting literary curios and autographs.

[Ben]

I also liked his contrast of a world that venerated the older generation compared with the more youth-oriented society that emerged after the First World War. Youth culture (another month's topic) has lasted so long that it's hard to imagine a world of music and art where appearing older was necessary to be taken seriously.

There's so much of interest in this book. I found his portrayal of French literary and arts culture, where commercial interests were neglected in favour of modest lifestyles and "side hustles", very interesting. Was it fully true, or did it simply reflect the more literary and serious circles where he traveled? In any case I liked the picture.

[Roman Clodia]

Ben wrote: "It's hard to imagine a world of music and art where appearing older was necessary to be taken seriously."

Hmm... maybe... but then conductors, professors, judges? There are plenty of professions where age is still a gateway, I'd say.

[WndyJW]

I hope to start this tomorrow.

[Susan]

I am really enjoying it. Sweig is finding fame in the section where I am currently up to.

[Brian E]

I thought it started slowly, but has picked up the pace with his "sex" talk, which I found interesting.
At first, I couldn't imagine that Zweig and his school mates read Rainer Maria Rilke in the time period that would be American high school. I viewed Rilke and Zweig as contemporaries.
In researching I saw that, Zweig, born in November 1881, would have been at that stage from 1894 to 1898 and Rilke, born 6 years earlier in December 1875 had published these volumes of poetry in that period

Leben und Lieder (Life and Songs) (1894)
Larenopfer (Offerings to the Lares) (1895)
Traumgekrönt (Dream-Crowned) (1897)
Advent (Advent) (1898)

As Zweig made a point of explaining how his school crew was trying to read newer and 'younger' authors, it made sense that they were championing Rilke so early in Rilkes career.

[Susan]

That whole section was fascinating - all those schoolboys standing in line for tickets, chasing autographs and reading literary journals in coffe shops :)

[Roman Clodia]

Oh dear, sorry everyone but I'm afraid I'm bailing on this one, seems Zweig and I are just not good companions :(

I'm interested in the subject matter but something feels turgid and stultifying to me - I even skipped forward but not even the chapter on when he first heard Hitler's name and the early predations of the Nazi party really grabbed me.

Sorry, and I'm still interested in hearing what the rest of you thought.

[Ben]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Oh dear, sorry everyone but I'm afraid I'm bailing on this one, seems Zweig and I are just not good companions :( ."

Did the nearly total absence of women from his account have anything to do with it?

[Roman Clodia]

Ben wrote: "Did the nearly total absence of women from his account have anything to do with it?"

Not consciously - after all, literature is filled with men ;) But I disliked Zweig's Beware of Pity as mentioned above so seems he and I just don't gel. Shame, as I was interested in the topic but after plugging away at this book for over a week, I'm throwing in the towel for something better suited to me.

[Ben]

Well, even I was struck by the complete absence of women in any aspect of the cultural life he portrayed, except as understanding helpmeets.

[Roman Clodia]

Ben wrote: "Well, even I was struck by the complete absence of women in any aspect of the cultural life he portrayed, except as understanding helpmeets."

Oh well, if I bailed on every book that reduced/excluded/ignored women in this way, my shelves would be stripped almost bare!

Interesting that it struck you, though, especially in the post-WW1 period.

Haha, 'understanding helpmeet' - Mr RC has just commented that that's how he describes me!!

[Ben]

I think what particularly struck me was that it was a broad outline of cultural life in the 20th century, rather than focusing on the "few great names". Bad enough to exclude women from the latter, but the former? Surely there were some women in the broader cultural milieu somewhere in the Western European continent worth mentioning.

It was the one jarring note for me in a book that I otherwise enjoyed.

[Jan C]

I just ordered the book plus The Post-Office Girl which sounded interesting to me.

[Susan]

I was a little surprised when he mentioned being with his wife, but, honestly, I never thought about it at all. I feel this is purely about his work and the life he had lost. It was very personal to him and perhaps he never really had any close ties with female authors or artists? He does say he wishes that men and women could mix more freely and feels that has improved by the time he is writing this book, but that was not something that was allowed when he was young, so his work life seemed to be male and I didn't find that a problem.

[WndyJW]

I read Zweig’s forward and I like his writing style. It also could be true of what is happening in the US right now and be read as a warning of where this could all go.