Kurt Kusenberg

Contents: A structural and thematic analysis of Kurt Kusenberg's short stories which establishes his genre as the fantastic. Includes a discussion of nonsense literature, surrealism, the fairy tale and the grotesque.
Undergraduate and graduate academic level.
This is to date the only full-length study in English or German of Kusenberg and his stories.

The Author: Born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Jean Pearson received her doctorate in German Literature from Cornell University, and taught German at Moravian College from 1972-1985. During a year's residence in Sweden she co-authored Kvinnliga Författare, a history of women in literature. Dr. Pearson's poetry and translations of Swedish and German poets have appeared in many journals, including The American Poetry Review, The Christian Science Monitor; Animals' Agenda, and Shaman's Drum. She is listed in A Directory of American Poets and Fiction Writers and Who's Who in Writers, Editors & Poets.

Pearson's book tells us how Kusenberg's awareness of the human condition, his anarchic way of thinking, his sense of humor, and his literary craftsmanship have enabled him to write masterpieces of 'Kleinprosa'. This study will help Kusenberg readers and scholars enjoy his works with even greater pleasure, perception and understanding. (Ernst Schuerer, The Pennsylvania State University)Dr. Pearson has become well known for taking up genres and authors that have suffered undeserved neglect. Her work on Kurt Kusenberg is a welcome confirmation of her perspicacity and judgment in opening up new areas for appreciation and discussion. The book should stimulate renewed interest in the teaching of Kusenberg's texts and prod scholars to consider her suggestions as to the theoretical questions posed by the categorization of this body of work. We do not usually pay much attention to humor in German literature. Here is a fine example of that humorous tradition, along with an examination of its roots in German writing. Dr. Pearson presents it with the discernment of her creative sensibility and in a lucid, highly readable prose. (Inte Ezergailis, Cornell University) Jean E. Pearson olegt! ihre gruendlichen Kenntnisse des Kusenbergschen Oeuvres in einer beachtlichen Monographie nieder. (Beate Schmeichel-Falkenberg, Germanistik)

"Pearson's book tells us how Kusenberg's awareness of the human condition, his anarchic way of thinking, his sense of humor, and his literary craftsmanship have enabled him to write masterpieces of 'Kleinprosa'. This study will help Kusenberg readers and scholars enjoy his works with even greater pleasure, perception and understanding." (Ernst Schürer, The Pennsylvania State University)
"Dr. Pearson has become well known for taking up genres and authors that have suffered undeserved neglect. Her work on Kurt Kusenberg is a welcome confirmation of her perspicacity and judgment in opening up new areas for appreciation and discussion. The book should stimulate renewed interest in the teaching of Kusenberg's texts and prod scholars to consider her suggestions as to the theoretical questions posed by the categorization of this body of work. We do not usually pay much attention to humor in German literature. Here is a fine example of that humorous tradition, along with an examination of its roots in German writing. Dr. Pearson presents it with the discernment of her creative sensibility and in a lucid, highly readable prose." (Inte Ezergailis, Cornell University) "Jean E. Pearson ølegt! ihre gründlichen Kenntnisse des Kusenbergschen Oeuvres in einer beachtlichen Monographie nieder." (Beate Schmeichel-Falkenberg, Germanistik)