Toe in the Water

Gunter Grass

Gunter Grass

In my Portfolio Biography, I have stated that, in my opinion, Gunter Grass is the best writer of the 20th Century. He was German and of that generation whose childhood was engulfed by the Second World War. As such, the postwar guilt that (understandably) infects that generation is the driving force behind his writing (his most famous work, The Tin Drum, is set in the war period).

Before you get the idea that I can understand the German language well enough to have read the originals of his books, I have to confess that I only know the works through the translations published in English. Which means that the person who I am really impressed with is his translator, a person whose name I do not know. In his hands, the books are masterworks of fluency, understanding and insight. And I’m not the only one to have realised that the translator deserves kudos; I have read several articles that comment on that fact.

This means that I have to guess at the quality of Grass’ writing. In all probability, his books are even better than the translations, in which case I am truly thunderstruck at his ability. But there is a possibility that it’s the translator whose genius is such that he has made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Unlikely, but to be borne in mind even so.

Anyway, I leave the line in my bio because it’s true that the English translations are such a high literary achievement. There’s not room enough allowed for me to add this proviso about the originals, so this little note will have to suffice.

Have a read of The Tin Drum if you get the chance.


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