The World of Yesterday

Memoirs of a European

By: Stefan Zweig, Anthea Bell - translator

Narrated by: David Horovitch

Length: 17 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Stefan Zweig's memoir, The World of Yesterday, recalls the golden age of prewar Europe - its seeming permanence, its promise and its devastating fall with the onset of two world wars. Zweig's passionate, evocative prose paints a stunning portrait of an era that danced brilliantly on the brink of extinction. It is an unusually humane account of Europe from the closing years of the 19th century through to World War II, seen through the eyes of one of the most famous writers of his era. Zweig's books (novels, biographies, essays) were translated into numerous languages, and he moved in the highest literary circles; he also encountered many leading political and social figures of his day.

The World of Yesterday is a remarkable, totally engrossing history. This translation by the award-winning Anthea Bell captures the spirit of Zweig's writing in arguably his most important work, completed shortly before his tragic death in 1942. It is read with sympathy and understanding by David Horovitch.

©1942 Fischer Verlag. 2011 Anthea Bell (translation) (P)2017 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Critic reviews

"One of the greatest memoirs of the twentieth century." (David Hare)
"Zweig's celebration of the brotherhood of peoples reminds us that there is another way." ( The Nation)

Amazing Performance!

Such a sad story and knowing it really happened is heart breaking. occasionally the story would become dry.... but what kept me glued was the narrator The finest narrator I've ever listened to....

Zwieg

“Every shadow is also a child of light” Zwieg writes. I intend to read “Jeremiah” and try to find a copy of “The Silent Woman” by this author. He lived productively in the shadow of terror, horror, destruction and death during WWI and II. He remained passive, even as a Jew, in his desire for peace.

Amazing.

I can't find words to describe it. I will miss the voice of Mr. David Horovitch on my long walking.

Over too soon

Just like the life of Stefan Zweig this audiobook finished all too soon despite its 17+ hours’ running time. Zweig promises much in his early pages by suggesting that a memoir should only be written if the author has something to say. His narration clips along briskly with never a lull despite a good deal of elaboration and rich detailing. He does indeed have a great deal to say from his encounters and friendships with many of Europe’s preeminent artists, dramatists and academics to his documentation observations on historical events. David Horovitch’s narration wonderfully captures the gravitas of the author whilst conveying his passion and increasing despair towards the end of the work.

A classic

An excellent reading of one of the more beautiful, humane books you’ll ever pick up

Insightful!

Since Zweig actually lived in Vienna, he is fantastically insightful into the goings on of totalitarian take overs of smaller countries.
This is one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read.
I’ve read many other of Zweigs books And so I’m not surprised at his master full descriptions of his home country and the countries he moves to to escape Hitler.

Life is more interesting than fiction

When I started this book I had not yet read Zweig’s works and knew little about his life so my motivation to read the memoir was a search for a humane perspective on early 20th century that would add color to my knowledge from history classes. And I got all what I wished for.

At times I was a bit lost during the first part of the memoir where it is mostly about Zweig traveling and meeting famous artists whom I should have known but I did not so I could not perceive the story in all its color. The most memorable piece is about America of early 20th century where nobody judged you by your origin, language or culture and all migration was welcome.

The second part that begins with the beginning of the WWI was much richer for me. At times it felt like nothing changed in these 100 years. Propaganda is still used to turn nations against each other and it is still regular people who suffer from war. The description of Austrian situation prior to German invasion when the whole country was expecting that the western countries would intervene in the last moment and a tragedy would be avoided was particularly poignant.

The narrator’s voice matches the mood of the story perfectly.

Amazing

one of the best books i ever read. i want to read and re read it till i know many passages by heart

This book has opened up a whole new world to me.

What a fascinating story. There is so much context and history in this book that I just never would have known otherwise. I am grateful for its existence, and intend to read/listen to more of his work.

Highly personal memoir by Zweig

Stefan Zweig was an important author and critic and observer in the first half of the 20th century. He knew and was friends with many of the most influential authors, artists, musicians, and thinkers of his era.

This memoir will be of interest to those fascinated especially by the period between the world wars. Along the way we get colorful vignettes, back stories of rivalries, cultural history, and keen observations.

All in all, however, the book was a bit of a let down. Its episodic nature, the fact that Zweig developed certain lines of thought and left others sketchy, and its abrupt ending (before his and his wife's double suicide) left me frustrated.

Still, I'm glad I read it for what it does offer.