Faust

Goethe's classic, enlivened by Randall Jarrell's fine translation and Peter Sís's dark, dreamy illustrations
Randall Jarrell's translation of Faust is one of his most important achievements. In 1957 he inscribed Goethe's motto on the first page of his notebook--"Ohne Hast aber ohne Rast" ("Without haste but without rest")--and from then until his death in 1965 he worked on the masterpiece of his "own favorite daemon, dear good great Goethe." His intent was to make the German poetry free, unrhymed poetry in English. He all but finished the job before he died, and the few lines that remained untouched--"Gretchen's Room"--were rendered into English by Robert Lowell.
This elegant new edition features numerous beautiful line drawings and jacket lettering by the renowned Czech artist Peter Sís, author of the award-winning books Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei and Tibet: Through the Red Box.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, poet, playwright, and philosopher, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Western literature. Born on August 28, 1749, in Frankfurt, Germany, he is best known for his works such as Faust, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and Erlkönig. Goethe's works span a wide range of genres, including drama, poetry, and philosophy, and he was a central figure in the Sturm und Drang literary movement. His writing not only revolutionized German literature but also had a profound impact on political and philosophical thought. Throughout his career, Goethe was influenced by figures such as Friedrich Schiller and William Shakespeare, and his ideas on individuality and the human condition helped shape European intellectual history. Goethe was married to Christiane Vulpius from 1806 until her death in 1816. He spent much of his life in Weimar, Germany, where he died on March 22, 1832, at the age of 82. His legacy continues to influence writers, artists, and thinkers across the globe. His exploration of human nature and existential questions remains relevant in modern cultural and intellectual discussions.