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Wakefield provides us with another top notch translation... An
electrifying read.
*New York Public Library*
Written in 1913, Lesabéndio is equal parts philosophy and science
fiction that mines an eternal debate: what is more valuable,
construction in the name of science or creation in the name of art?
For those pondering a professional future beyond their humanities
educations, Scheerbart weighs the importance of technical
discovery, aesthetic progress, and collaboration between artists
and scientists. Bonus: Lesabéndio is one of the most original alien
characters out there.
*Huffington Post*
A long-neglected German proto-Dadist, Scheerbart (1863-1915) has
been rediscovered recently in Euro-American art and literary
circles. This handsome edition of his Lesabendio is the latest sign
of this recovery. The novel was first published in 1913, near the
end of Scheerbart's life, is the most celebrated of his science
fictions. Over 25 years, Scheerbart had published fantastic novels
and stories with astral, orientalist, and political settings;
newspaper sketches; poetry, including the very first sound poem;
theatre pieces; and quirky tracts on architecture, politics, and
science. He was one of the great early modernist stylists; if the
prose of the novels is generally less radical than his major
nonfictions previously translated into English-- Glass
Architecture, The Perpetual Motion Machine, Aerial Militarism-- it
nevertheless always sparkles. Svendsen's translation does this
novel justice. Mostly, though, the luxurious flights of fancy are
what captivate readers in this thought-provoking, gently satirical
tale of life on the asteriod Pallas, starring a visionary
(Lesabendio) whose technological and spiritual ambitions set in
motion momentous changes for his fellow Pallasians. The original
edition contained illustrations by the expressionist Alfred Kubin,
which Scheerbart disliked; they are reproduced here, but in an
appendix, a tactful editorial decision.
*Choice*
Lesabéndio is an essential text and Scheerbart is a prophet in need
of disinterment.
*LA Review of Books*
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