Category Archives: literature

Rilke’s Ammersee flirtation

Posted on 27/04/2018 by kcosumano

Between 1914 and 1916, Rainer Maria Rilke was involved romantically with the (married) painter Lou Albert-Lasard. In 1915 he found himself somewhat stranded in Munich, waiting to learn whether he would be drafted into the Austrian Army. While there he … Continue reading →

Posted in Bavaria, culture, Germany, history, literature, lives of others, travel | 1 Comment

Seeking Fortunatus

Posted on 18/02/2018 by kcosumano

After posting my most recent entry I began to look more seriously for the “Vita S. Martini” by Venantius Fortunatus in translation. It hasn’t brought much to light. I cannot read medieval Latin, but there is an Italian translation available … Continue reading →

Posted in Bavaria, culture, Germany, history, Italy, literature, translation, travel | Comments Off on Seeking Fortunatus

“If the Baiuvarii on the Lech don’t block your way”*

Posted on 15/02/2018 by kcosumano

My husband knows that I have this fascination with local maps and roads and routes from long ago. In a recent acquisition of used books he stumbled across something he knew I’d like — “Die Alpen in Frühzeit und Mittelalter” … Continue reading →

Posted in Bavaria, culture, Germany, history, literature, lives of others, Mountains, reading list, Roman roads, travel | Comments Off on “If the Baiuvarii on the Lech don’t block your way”*

A Idea of Mine

Posted on 20/05/2016 by kcosumano

I have a confession to make. Beyond all the other things I am doing right now – singing, translating, assisting in a bookselling business – I have a project in mind for the future. I want to put together a … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, culture, Germany, history, Italy, Life Abroad, literature, memory, travel | 5 Comments

Nazi Bedtime Stories

Posted on 29/09/2015 by Marcellina

The next estate dissolution in which we took part involved the sale of a rather large piece of land in the middle of Munich. A rich textile-industry dynasty family had a villa there with a spacious guest house, and basement … Continue reading →

Posted in culture, Germany, history, language, literature | 2 Comments

Weekend Mountain Blogging: Mittenwald, Scharnitz, Seefeld

Posted on 17/05/2015 by Marcellina

I needed to go to Mittenwald because of something I’d promised to do, and since I had the day free it seemed like a good idea to get some hiking in along with some sights. As there’s only so much … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, culture, environment, Germany, history, literature, Mountains, nature, travel | 2 Comments

Hardy’s Map

Posted on 13/02/2015 by Marcellina

While packing for a long train trip to Styria, I pulled a couple of books of the shelf to help pass the time. Thomas Hardy’s “The Return of the Native” was I book I supposedly had read in high school … Continue reading →

Posted in art, literature | 2 Comments

Innsbruck, Dürer and “Ern Malley”

Posted on 20/01/2014 by Marcellina

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser, hier findet ihr Information über diese Geschichte. This is a postcard that was found in an old book, having been used as a bookmark by a previous reader. It’s Albrecht Dürer’s Hof der Burg zu Innsbruck … Continue reading →

Posted in art, culture, Innsbruck, literature, lives of others, media | Comments Off on Innsbruck, Dürer and “Ern Malley”

More Ilse Weber

Posted on 31/05/2012 by Marcellina

I was going to move on to another topic, or not blog at all today, but then the New Yorker came. James Wood’s review of a book titled “HHhH” in this recent issue (“Broken Record”, May 21, international delivery takes … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, history, literature, lives of others, memory | Comments Off on More Ilse Weber

Poetry Blogging: Ilse Weber

Posted on 31/05/2012 by Marcellina

“After Auschwitz, writing poetry is no longer possible.” — Theodor Adorno “The truth is, Adorno couldn’t write poetry before Auschwitz either.” — journalist and publicist Johannes Gross. I am paraphrasing the Adorno quote somewhat for clarity. In fact, the word-for-word … Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, history, literature, lives of others, memory, music, singing | 4 Comments