Originally published in 1945, christopher isherwoods prater violet is a. The book contains much of isherwoods understated elegance, his insight into behavior, and all of his powerful charm. His bestknown works include goodbye to berlin 1939, a semiautobiographical novel which inspired the musical cabaret, a single man 1964 adapted as a film by tom ford in 2009, and christopher and his kind 1976, a memoir which carried him into. A major figure in twentiethcentury fiction and the gay rights movement, christopher isherwood 19041986 is the author of down there on a visit, lions and shadows, a meeting by the river, the memorial, prater violet, a single man, and the world in the evening, all available from the university of minnesota press. An impatient phone call from the temperamental austrian director, friedrich bergmann, introduces a young christopher isherwood to the film. Pencil notation apparently by original owner on the front jacket flap. May 31, 2012 buy prater violet vintage classics by isherwood, christopher isbn. Buy prater violet 45 edition 9780816638611 by christopher isherwood for up to 90% off at. An impatient phone call from the temperamental austrian director, friedrich bergmann, introduces a young christopher isherwood to the film industry. It is a stinging satirical novel about the film industry. Mr norris changes trains goodbye to berlin, and more on. Prater violet by christopher isherwood, 9780374535247, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Isherwoods exploration of the cinema is also written in a characteristically balanced vein, celebrating both.
Prater violet resembles episodes in goodbye to berlin and keeps up the same high level of excellence edmund wilson. Prater violet resembles episodes in goodbye to berlin and keeps up the same high level of excellence edmund wilson an impatient phone call from the temperamental austrian director, friedrich bergmann, introduces a young christopher isherwood to the film industry. Christopher isherwood 26 august 1904 4 january 1986 was an angloamerican novelist, playwright, screenwriter, autobiographer, and diarist. It centers around the production of the vacuous fictional melodrama prater violet, set in nineteenthcentury vienna, providing an ironic counterpoint to tragic events as hitler annexes. Christopher isherwood 19041986 was one of the most prominent writers of his generation. Jul 14, 2019 prater violet by christopher isherwood. Sandwiched between some of isherwoods betterknown books and often overlooked is a slim 1945 novel called prater violet, a minimasterpiece thats well worth hunting down, whether or not youre already a fan.
Prater violet christopher isherwood first english edition. Prater violet, in my view, is one of the best short novels in english written in this. Prater violet 1945 is christopher isherwoods fictional first person account of filmmaking. Christopher isherwood audio books, best sellers, author. Buy prater violet vintage classics by christopher isherwood isbn. The world in the evening 1954 purchase in the usuk. Isherwoods story centers on the production of the vacuous fictional melodrama prater violet, set in nineteenthcentury vienna, providing ironic counterpoint to tragic events as hitler annexes the real vienna of the 1930s.
Prater violet concerns the filming of an unashamedly romantic and commercial musical about old vienna. Diana trillingoriginally published in 1945, christopher isherwood s prater violet is a stingingly satirical novel about the film industry. Originally published in 1945, christopher isherwoods prater violet is a stingingly satirical novel about the film industry. Prater violet christopher isherwood read online free books. Diana trilling originally published in 1945, christopher isherwood s prater violet is a stingingly satirical novel about the film industry. Buy prater violet vintage classics by isherwood, christopher isbn. Its truly remarkable how, through such a short novel, isherwood was able not only to transport me to the set of prater violet, but managed to. Prater violet christopher isherwood, paul boehmer on. From the author of mr norris changes trains and goodbye to berlin.
It is a stinging satirical novel about the film industry, trifling studio feuds, and the fatuous movie prater violet, which, ironically, counterpoints the tragic events on the world stage as hitlers lengthening shadow falls over the real vienna of the thirties. In this novel, isherwood comments on life, art, commercialization of art. Prater violet is a remarkable short novel by christopher isherwood a writer, who i will forever associate with bohemian, prehitler berlin and the fascinating world of moviemaking. Listen to prater violet by christopher isherwood at. Set against the background of the plight of austria and the rise of fascism. Love letters between christopher isherwood and don bachardy 2014. The prater is a large public park in vienna that contains amusement park rides, a planetarium and other attractions. In 1945, isherwood published prater violet, fictionalizing his first movie writing job in london in 19331934 with the viennese director berthold viertel. The prater is a large park and amusement park in vienna, a city. Read prater violet a novel by christopher isherwood available from rakuten kobo. Jan 12, 2010 isherwood s story centers on the production of the vacuous fictional melodrama prater violet, set in nineteenthcentury vienna, providing ironic counterpoint to tragic events as hitler annexes the real vienna of the 1930s.
See all books authored by christopher isherwood, including a single man, and the berlin stories. Prater violet book by christopher isherwood 10 available. Adrian harrington rare books deal in a wide selection of literature, modern first editions, leather bound library sets. Christopher isherwood19021986 lived in berlin from 1928 to 1933 and immigrated to the united states in 1939. Set in london in the mid1930s, a novel which explores the relationship between a viennese film director and the person hired to write the script. Nov 19, 20 prater violet concerns the filming of an unashamedly romantic and commercial musical about old vienna. Judging from his writing, christopher isherwood must have been an ideal guest at a dinner party. Prater violet by christopher isherwood penguin books. Prater violet by christopher isherwood 97800995612 for. A major figure in twentiethcentury fiction and the gay rights movement, christopher isherwood 19041986 is the author of down there on a visit, lions and shadows, a meeting by the river, the memorial, prater violet, a single man, and the world in the evening. Buy prater violet reprint by christopher isherwood isbn. Christopher isherwood, prater violet john pistelli.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It is the novels willingness to apparently put isherwood s own struggle on a similar level to the atrocities of world war ii, however, and, less disconcertingly, a few onedimensional, caricatured characters which stop prater violet from being a brilliant book, and instead make it one which is very good, albeit flawed. Prater violet is a remarkable short novel by christopher isherwood a writer, whom i will forever associate with bohemian, prehitler berlin and the fascinating world of moviemaking. Prater violet by christopher isherwood librarything. The author and publisher have provided this ebook to you for your personal use only. In hollywood, viertels wife, salka, an actress and screenwriter, entertained the most intellectual european emigres, including max reinhardt and his sons gottfried and wolfgang, thomas mann and heinrik mann and their families, igor and. Isherwood s story centers on the production of the vacuous fictional melodrama prater violet, set in nineteenthcentury vienna, providing ironic counterpoint to tragic events as hitler annexes the real vienna of the 1930s. This copy is inscribed by isherwood on the title page. The prater is a large park and amusement park in vienna, a city important to characters in the novel for several reasons. Though isherwood broke onto the literary scene as a novelist, he eventually worked in hollywood as a screenwriter.
My uncle gave me a copy when i was in high school, and i have reread it every couple years, ever since. The novel features the vivid portraits of imperious, passionate, and witty austrian director friedrich bergmann and his disciple, a genial young screenwriter. Learn more about the prater here the book prater violet is about the filming of a fictional musical of the same name which is. In prater violet, the isherwood character who calls himself christopher isherwood and who is the focussing eye of all these narratives works in london on the script of a. Sep 10, 2015 prater violet resembles episodes in goodbye to berlin and keeps up the same high level of excellence edmund wilson an impatient phone call from the temperamental austrian director, friedrich bergmann, introduces a young christopher isherwood to the film industry. Diana trillingoriginally published in 1945, christopher isherwoods prater violet is a stingingly satirical novel about the film industry. Additionally signed by actor roddy mcdowall and accompanied by a program for the met theatres movies in literature event on june 7, 1994 during which mcdowall read from prater violet. In prater violet, the isherwood character who calls himself christopher isherwood and who is the focussing eye of all these narratives works in london on the script of a movie with an austrian jewish director.
I dont remember hearing it before, but this is often the way with names. The book contains much of isherwoods understated elegance, his insight into behavior, and all. Dustwrapper with one small chip to upper, spine a little browned. Prater violet by isherwood christopher, first edition. Publishers violet cloth, slightly rubbed, neat name to fly leaf. Prater violet analyses expertly both the attitudes and mechanisms of prewar cinema, with its curious blend of modernising technologies on film sets, amidst the casting of the ex stageham arthur cromwell in the movie prater violet. Christopher isherwood 19021986 lived in berlin from 1928 to 1933 and immigrated to the united states in 1939. Prater violet by christopher isherwood booksamillion. Christopher isherwood books list of books by author. Original gray cloth binding, with lavender and cream stamping.
The short roman a clef is based on isherwoods own experience working on the 1934 film little friend, directed by the emigrant austrian jewish director, berthold viertel in isherwoods hands, little friend becomes the. Linara writes in with a question about christopher isherwoods classic, prater violet. Originally published in 1945, prater violet is a stingingly satirica. Prater violet resembles episodes in goodbye to berlin and keeps up the same high level of excellence. Isherwood is better known for berlin stories, a semiautobiographical work on prenazi germany which became the basis for cabaret.
Prater violet by isherwood, christopher and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The dominant theme of christopher isherwoods diaries from the 1960s is his relationship with a much younger man. A novel by christopher isherwood 2015, paperback at the best online prices at. Discreetly plae pencil ownership on front pastedown. Prater violet is the most charming novel i have read in a long time. Diana trilling originally published in 1945, christopher isherwoods prater violet is a stingingly satirical novel about the film industry.