Otakar Březina: A Study in Czech Literature/Preface

On several occasions during the past few years I have published translations from Březina in various English periodicals, while my “Anthology of Slavonic Literature” and “Modern Czech Poetry” both contain representative extracts from his works. But the circumstances under which these translations appeared precluded the possibility of providing an adequate surveyofBřezina’s artistic achievement as a whole. The purpose of the following essay is to provide such a concise but systematic introduction to Březina’s work. In order to obtain an independent impression of the subject, I have, as far as possible, avoided studying the numerous Czech commentaries on Březina. I must, however, state my indebtedness to the volume published by Dr. Josef Staněk and Dr. Jaroslav Durych in 1918 on the occasion of Březina’s fiftieth birthday. It contains a quantity of biographical and critical material which ought to be made accessible to all who are interested in Březina. I must further express my gratitude to Messrs. Kegan Paul who have permitted me to reprint a number of translations from the two above-mentioned volumes. With regard to the translated extracts, the rhyme and metre of the original have been preserved, except where it is otherwise indicated. The bibliography does not aim at completeness, but includes only those books which I have actually consulted.

London, February 1921.P. Selver.