The Legend of the Holy Drinker

The Legend of the Holy Drinker (German: Die Legende vom heiligen Trinker) is a 1939 novella by Austrian writer Joseph Roth, published posthumously by Allert de Lange Verlag in Amsterdam. It tells the story of a homeless alcoholic, Andreas, who wants to return money he has borrowed, but fails because he spends all of his money on alcohol.

This article is about the book. For the film, see The Legend of the Holy Drinker (film).
The Legend of the Holy Drinker
Paperback edition cover
AuthorJoseph Roth
Original titleDie Legende vom heiligen Trinker
TranslatorMichael Hofmann
CountryNetherlands
LanguageGerman
PublisherAllert de Lange Verlag
Publication date
1939
Published in English
1989
Pages108

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."[1]

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.[2]

In 2016 Winchester-based theatre company Platform 4 a created a touring production using a puppet to tell Andreas' story.[3]

See also

References
  1. Staff writer (1991-02-03). "Right and Left and the Legend of the Holy Drinker". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  2. Vivarelli, Nick (2008-05-12). "Olmi to receive Venice Lio". Variety. Retrieved 2012-01-01.
  3. "Platform 4 Production of The Legend of the Holy Drinker".
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