Overview

Courage is one of most indomitable women in European literature and a feminist icon for our times. The Life of Courage (first published in 1670), one episode from whose life Brecht used as the basis for his Mother Courage, is the female counterpart to Simplicissimus. A young girl caught up in the turmoil of the Thirty Years War, she survives, even prospers, by the use of her native cunning and sexual attraction. Completely amoral, she flits from man to man, having a succession of husbands and lovers, and ends her life with a band of gypsies. Courage supposedly tells her story to get her own back on Simplicissimus, who treats her rather dismissively in his memoirs. Her method is to reveal the truth about herself, including the fact that she was recovering from the pox at the time of their affair, so that he will be tarred with the same brush. The result is a lively account of lechery, knavery and trickery told with disarming frankness and a complete lack of remorse. It will appeal to anyone who likes a rollicking good yarn and a bit of knavery in their reading.

Full Product Details

9781910213247

Table of Contents

Reviews

""... one of the jauntiest literary romps ever written."" -- Eileen Battersby, The Irish Times ""In Mitchell's snappy translation, the first since 1912, Mother Courage is one helluva woman."" -- Ray Olson, Booklist ""This defiantly earthy first-person narrative inspired the eponymous heroine of Brecht's play Mother Courage & Her Children."" --Kirkus

'In English, her progeny includes Defoe's Moll Flanders and Roxana, Cleland's Fanny Hill, and Southern and Hoffenberg's Candy; in German, Brecht took her name and period for Mother Courage. In Mitchell's snappy translation, the first since 1912, she is one helluva woman.' Ray Olson in Booklist 'This defiantly earthy first-person narrative contains the confession of the resourceful camp follower & entrepreneur who schemed and prospered throughout the carnage of the Thirty Years War and inspired the eponymous heroine of Brecht's epic political play Mother Courage & Her Children.' Kirkus 'This is one of the jauntiest literary romps ever written.' Eileen Battersby in The Irish Times In Mitchell's snappy translation, the first since 1912, Mother Courage is one helluva woman. -- Ray Olson, Booklist This defiantly earthy first-person narrative inspired the eponymous heroine of Brecht's play Mother Courage & Her Children. --Kirkus .. . one of the jauntiest literary romps ever written. -- Eileen Battersby, The Irish Times

.. . one of the jauntiest literary romps ever written. -- Eileen Battersby, The Irish Times

Author Information

Grimmelshausen was born at Gelnhausen in 1621 or 1622. His early life was dominated by the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) in which he fought for both sides. He describes his first involvement in the war as a 'snotty-nosed ten-year-old musketeer' in his writing and served as a soldier until its end. His experiences in the Thirty years War are mirrored in his masterpiece, Simplicissimus which was first published in 1668 and was the first bestselling novel in Germany. Several of his later work takes up themes and characters occurring in Simplicissimus, Award-winning translator from French and German. He has published more than 70 books.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available