Friedrich HölderlinSelected Poems and Fragments (Penguin Classics)

The most disappointing purchase among all the books I've ordered till date. Pages torn in the middle of the book.

naturally the poems are classic and superb requiring repeated readings - they soar - but what is splendid is the translation - it's not cumbersome or stilted like I see sometimes Holderlin's translations are - plus the notes and intro are very good - pertinent and sympathetic to a troubled character - also setting him in context of his times, and of other poetry. excellent

with disjointed the word I would use for the format employed. Look elsewhere if seeking a much clearer presentation of a great writer.

I like Michael Hamburger's translation which lacks poetic conceit and is well judged and clear headed.Holderlin is quite a discovery, not all that well known amongst most British poetry aficionados, I find.Against a background of the possibility of psychosis, the fragmentation of some of the Hymns is interesting. Speaking personally, I preferred the earlier or indeed later works. But again and again he hits the nail on the head in describing his (and our) existential impoverishment and despair . Quite remarkable for a man writing at the very beginning of the process of industrial/post industrial mayhem whose now all too familiar horrors he could barely have imagined.Some of his imagery and the articulation of his brilliantly rich and evocative lines is astounding.A healing balm for the deep festering wounds of contemporary alienation, from a man who walked the walk,,,,

This is a good collection of Hölderlin's works. I would recommend this version for those who need to read or are just interested in reading Hölderlin's poetry.

To read Hoelderlin both in the orginal German and in Michael Hamburger's splendid translations is a special pleasure.