Mimesis

By Erich Auerbach, Willard R. Trask (translator),

Book cover of Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature

Book description

More than half a century after its translation into English, Erich Auerbach's Mimesis remains a masterpiece of literary criticism. A brilliant display of erudition, wit, and wisdom, his exploration of how great European writers from Homer to Virginia Woolf depicted reality has taught generations how to read Western literature. This…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Mimesis as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Auerbach wrote this book while he lived in exile in Istanbul, having fled from the Nazis. This forced him to turn his attention very closely to the original texts, classical in their reputation from the ancient through the medieval, and the early modern period. He demonstrated brilliantly the true value of thorough philological work and the great yield of close reading, profiling all of pre-modern European literature in a unique fashion. This book lives on until today.

Want books like Mimesis?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Mimesis.

Browse books like Mimesis

Book cover of The Origins of Courtliness: Civilizing Trends and the Formation of Courtly Ideals, 939-1210
Book cover of Law, Sex, and Christian Society in Medieval Europe
Book cover of The Case for Women in Medieval Culture

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,588

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Istanbul, the Middle Ages, and presidential biography?

Istanbul 41 books
The Middle Ages 432 books