Walaschek’s Dream
Walaschek’s Dream by Giovanni Orelli, published by Dalkey Archive Press in May 2012, presents a unique exploration of European culture during the Nazi era. This 176-page work, written in English, intertwines elements of fiction and literary analysis, offering an allusive and ironic narrative that reflects on the transient nature of sport and the enduring impact of art.
In this docufictional phantasmagoria, Orelli revisits Paul Klee’s painting Alphabet I, which serves as a backdrop for a rich tapestry of characters, including historical figures and fictional philosopher-peasants. Set against the context of Switzerland’s victory over Nazi Germany in 1938, the narrative unfolds in a local tavern where discussions about Klee’s work take place. Readers will find a complex meditation on the interplay between culture, art, and history, as well as the ephemeral nature of sporting triumphs.
Official synopsis Publisher
Allusive, ironic, and elegiac, Joycean in scope, Walaschek’s Dream is an encyclopedic portrait of European culture under Nazism and a singular meditation on the ephemerality of sport and the immortalizing power of art.
Giovanni Orelli’s docufictional phantasmagoria revisits a lesser-known painting by Paul Klee titled Alphabet I, which features black letters and symbols scrawled over the sports page of a newspaper reporting Switzerland’s victory over Nazi Germany in the 1938 Swiss National Cup. This play of coincidences sets the stage for Orelli’s encyclopedic portrait of European culture under Nazism, where a motley crew of philosopher-peasants as well as historical luminaries like Arthur Schopenhauer, Vincent van Gogh, Viktor Shklovsky, Marina Tsvetaeva, Klee himself, and the titular footballer Eugene Walaschek all meet at the local tavern and debate the significance of Klee’s work.
FAQ
What is “Walaschek’s Dream” about?
Who is the author of “Walaschek’s Dream”?
When was “Walaschek’s Dream” published?
What is the ISBN for “Walaschek’s Dream”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
