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When
Branded: A Diary was published in Berlin in 1920, Emmy Hennings was called the most important woman writer of her day. Her autobiographical novel offers a sharp critique of patriarchy and the social injustices of the last decade of the German Empire, infused with a mysticism that celebrates sexual love as a spiritual gift and assigns saintly status to beggars and sex workers. Over a century after the novel's publication, this translation finally introduces an important modernist voice to English-language readers.
About the author
Katharina Rout is Professor Emerita at Vancouver Island University, where she specialized in teaching Literature in Translation and Transnational Literature. Her other translations from German into English include
The Blue Sky by Galsan Tschinag (Milkweed Editions) and
Soutine's Last Journey by Ralph Dutli (Seagull Books).
Summary
When Branded: A Diary was published in Berlin in 1920, Emmy Hennings was called the most important woman writer of her day. Her autobiographical novel offers a sharp critique of patriarchy and the social injustices of the last decade of the German Empire, infused with a mysticism that celebrates sexual love as a spiritual gift.
