Best German Literary Criticism Books of 2025

Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future is a critical and polemical work by Friedrich Nietzsche, first published in 1886. In the book, Nietzsche accuses past philosophers of lacking critical sense and blindly accepting dogmatic premises in their consideration of morality. The work moves beyond traditional morality and offers an affirmative approach that fearlessly confronts the perspectival nature of knowledge and the perilous condition of the modern individual. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy and critical thinking.

The Schocken Kafka Library's "Letters to Milena" is a remarkable work that reveals Franz Kafka's most intimate self through his epistolary love affair with his Czech translator, Milena Jesenská. This work is not only a testament to their passionate but doomed relationship but also a significant key to understanding Kafka's novels and short stories. The letters are touching, horrifying, brilliant, sickly, heartbreaking, and infinitely convoluted, and the most personal, pure, and painful testimony to human existence. This new edition is a marvelous documentation of Kafka's complex genius and character and is a must-read for Kafka enthusiasts and literary lovers alike.

Independent People is a magnificent family saga novel by the Nobel Prize-winning Icelandic author. The book is set in the early twentieth century and follows the story of Bjartur of Summerhouses, a sheep farmer with a fierce determination to achieve independence. The novel is a battle of wills between Bjartur and his spirited daughter, and is both touching and harsh, with a bleakly comic tone. The book is vast in scope and beautifully written, with homely details and emotional intensity. Overall, Independent People is a masterpiece that deserves to be read by all lovers of family saga fiction.

Trees: An Anthology of Writings and Paintings is an exquisite collection of Hermann Hesse's essays, poems, and passages on trees and nature, accompanied by his watercolor illustrations. Hesse's inspired thoughts on nature, spirituality, and self-knowledge are showcased in this elegant book. The author's messages about trees being symbols of transcendence and rebirth, and how they mirror our own struggles, happiness, and purpose, are beautifully captured in his paintings. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking personal transformation and self-discovery.

Fassbinder Thousands of Mirrors by Ian Penman is a fascinating study of the late West German filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder. The book presents Fassbinder as a pivotal figure in the late 1970s moment between late modernism and the advent of postmodernism and the digital revolution. Penman's writing style echoes the fragmentary and reflective works of writers like Barthes and Cioran, and the book has everything: sex, drugs, art, the city, cinema, and revolution. The book is a compelling, beautifully written, and genuinely moving story that offers a unique perspective on Fassbinder's allure.

The Anchor's edition of Goethe's Faust is an exceptional translation of the German classic. It features the original German text and its English counterpart on facing pages. The translator, Walter Kaufmann, masterfully conveys the poetic beauty, rhythm, and complexity of Goethe's language. This edition includes Part One and selections from Part Two. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in German literature and literary criticism.

The Poetic Edda (Oxford World's Classics) is a great collection of Norse-Icelandic mythological and heroic poetry that recounts the creation of the world, the exploits of gods and humans, and looks forward to the destruction and rebirth of the world. This revised translation includes new poems that add to the grandiose, witty, and profound nature of the Edda. Carolyne Larrington's expert introduction and helpful notes provide valuable insights into Old Norse myth, legends, and literature. The Edda's influence on artists from Wagner to Tolkien and a new generation of video-game and film makers is evident in this classic literature and fiction book from Oxford University Press.

The Essential Goethe is a comprehensive collection of Goethe's writings, including works that are rarely published in English, providing readers easier access to one of the greatest writers in world history. The volume features important literary works, such as Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship and the dramas Egmont, Iphigenia in Tauris, and Torquato Tasso, as well as a selection of Goethe’s essays on the arts, philosophy, and science. The translations are highly readable and reliable modern versions by scholars of Goethe. The book is a must-read for fans of German literature and those interested in the life and works of Goethe.

The book "Gnomes" published by Harry N. Abrams Publishers Inc. is a comprehensive survey of the characteristics, behavior, habits, and habitats of gnomes. It provides an in-depth look into the history and lore of gnomes that art history enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy. The book is well-written and beautifully illustrated, making it a great addition to any art history book collection. Overall, "Gnomes" is a unique and informative read that is sure to captivate readers with its rich and detailed content.

This newly designed edition of "Kafka" is a must-have for admirers of both Kafka and Robert Crumb. The book includes a brief but informative biography of Franz Kafka, the plots of many of his works, and all are illustrated by Crumb. The illustrations and comic panels of the world's greatest cartoonist, Robert Crumb, help readers to understand the essence of Kafka beyond the cliche "Kafkaesque." David Zane Mairowitz's brilliant text, combined with Crumb's illustrations, makes this book a wonderful educational tool for those unfamiliar with Kafka. Overall, this book is a unique and insightful addition to any collection of Fantagraphics Comics & Graphic Novels.