About this ebook
The works of great artists are silent books of eternal truths. And thus it is indelibly written in the face of Balzac, as Rodin has graven it, that the beauty of the creative gesture is wild, unwilling and painful. He has shown that great creative gifts do not mean fulness and giving out of abundance. On the contrary the expression is that of one who seeks help and strives to emancipate himself. A child when afraid thrusts out his arms, and those that are falling hold out the hand to passers-by for aid; similarly, creative artists project their sorrows and joys and all their sudden pain which is greater than their own strength. They hold them out like a net with which to ensnare, like a rope by which to escape. Like beggars on the street weighed down with misery and want, they give their words to passers-by. Each syllable gives relief because they thus project their own life into that of strangers. Their fortune and misfortune, their rejoicing and complaint, too heavy for them, are sown in the destiny of others—man and woman. The fertilizing germ is planted at this moment which is simultaneously painful.
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About the author
Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) was an Austrian writer whose life and work vividly encapsulate the tumultuous spirit of early 20th-century Europe. Born into a wealthy Jewish family in Vienna, Zweig was a cosmopolitan intellectual who spoke multiple languages and traveled extensively. His literary oeuvre spans novels, short stories, biographies, and essays, all marked by psychological depth and a profound humanism.Zweig's work often delved into the complexities of the human psyche and the moral ambiguities of his time. His biographies of historical figures like Marie Antoinette, Erasmus, and Magellan are celebrated for their narrative flair and psychological insight, transforming dry historical accounts into compelling human dramas.A pacifist and advocate for European unity, Zweig's ideals were deeply shaken by the rise of fascism and the outbreak of World War II. His exile from Nazi-occupied Austria led him to various countries, ultimately settling in Brazil. The despair of witnessing the disintegration of the cultural world he cherished culminated in his tragic suicide in 1942, alongside his wife Lotte.Zweig's influence extends to contemporary writers who admire his elegant prose and empathetic character portrayals. His life and work continue to resonate, offering poignant reflections on the fragility of civilization and the enduring quest for understanding and connection in a fragmented world. His legacy is a testament to the enduring power of literature to transcend time and place, touching the hearts and minds of readers across generations.
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