I filled 45 minutes that I had to wait for something at my favorite used bookstore. I spent most of the time perusing the section of German books—I’d never looked at them before. I was kinda sorta browsing for a copy of Arno Schmidt’s Zettels Traum. I picked up the English translation of Zettels Traum (Bottom’s Dream) not quite two weeks ago, and I was curious to see what the original looks like. It may or may not (I’m guessing probably not) have been there—I got a bit lost. (There are almost three million books in this store; at least 1000 or so in the German section, and not particularly well-organized).
I did pick up Schmidt’s sci-fi novel The Egghead Republic, which is much much shorter (and much much more accessible) than Bottom’s Dream. Here’s the blurb:
I couldn’t help but snap some pic of some of the German-language, German-published books I perused:
Biblioklept 
Those covers are amazing! I’m not familiar with German literature but I want to check out Arno Schmidt now! Thanks for the post!
LikeLike
Those are great pick-ups. I like how the literal translation of Cannery Row is “The Street of Sardines”– ok so I’m assuming Olsardinen is simply “sardines.”
LikeLike
In the Dalkey Archive edition, translated by John E. Woods, this novella is called “Republica Intelligentsia”…though I think I prefer “The Egghead Republic”!
LikeLike