Knihy, které jsem nenapsal – Steiner George (2019)

George Steiner's collection of essays, 'the last of the greats,' from various wondrous realms of thought that could have become his books, perhaps... What is it like to be a poet when Dante or Shakespeare leans over a candle in the neighboring house? What is it like to love in four different languages? What should the basic model of general literacy look like in the 21st century? Do the boundaries of my language truly mean the boundaries of my world? Such questions and many more are opened by George Steiner in his collection of seven essays with the somewhat ironic title 'Books I Did Not Write.' This luminary of contemporary cultural criticism, one of the few truly original thinkers of our time, discusses themes he has pondered throughout his life, for which he conducted preparatory studies but did not manage to bring to a valuable book form. However, those expecting sentimental lamentation over the limited possibilities of human life must look elsewhere. Even in advanced age, Steiner is not devoid of the wonder that stood at the beginning of all philosophical inquiry, and the desire to understand. In addition to deep and masterfully argued reflections, the book is notable for the fact that, unlike other essays, here Steiner unusually reveals his...