Country Netherlands Publisher Allert de Lange Verlag Published in English 1989 Translator Michael Hofmann | Language German Publication date 1939 Originally published 1939 Page count 108 Published in english 1989 | |
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Original title Die Legende vom heiligen Trinker Similar Works by Joseph Roth, Classical Studies books | ||
The legend of the holy drinker by pamadice
The Legend of the Holy Drinker (German: Die Legende vom heiligen Trinker) is a 1939 novella by the Austrian writer Joseph Roth, published posthumously by Allert de Lange Verlag in Amsterdam. It tells a story about an alcohol addict, Andreas, who wants to return money he has borrowed, but fails because he spends all of his money on alcohol.
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Reception
In a 1992 review for Publishers Weekly, the critic wrote that "the author transforms his personal tragedy into a light, sparkling modern fable", and that Michael Hofmann's "inspired translation showcases Roth's galvanizing, constantly surprising style."
Adaptations
Franz Josef Wild directed a 1963 adaptation for German television. In 1988 a film adaptation with the book's title by Ermanno Olmi premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it went on to win the top prize, the Golden Lion for best film. Olmi's version starred Rutger Hauer as Andreas.
In 2016 Winchester-based theatre company Platform 4 a created a touring production using a puppet to tell Andreas' story.