Robert Musil (1880-1942), author of The Man without Qualities, is one
of the handful of most important writers of the twentieth century. Among
Anglophone readers Musil has enjoyed a dedicated cult following, but
until recently poor translations and radical misunderstandings of his
aims and techniques have retarded the full appreciation of his genius.
Hannah Hickman's compact survey of Musil's work and influences has won
recognition as the only adequate introduction to its subject. Hickman
has taken advantage of a wealth of recently available evidence to give a
reliable account of this often baffling and immensely subtle writer.