Werke und Nachlass. Kritische Gesamtausgabe

The poems and stories of Walter Benjamin have so far remained in the shadow of his theoretical writings. However, Benjamin demonstrates a remarkable literary talent and a wide poetic range in his creative work. In the poems, one can find influences from the elevated tone of Friedrich Hölderlin as well as the exuberant nonsense poetry of Christian Morgenstern. The stories shine with surprising twists and rich imagery. This edition brings together all of Benjamin's preserved poetic texts and drafts, including previously unpublished narrative projects. Commentary and documents reveal material sources and biographical contexts. Particularly the significant "Sonnets to Fritz Heinle," Benjamin's poet-friend who took his own life in 1914, are now seen in a new light: not only as an echo of Stefan George's poetry but also as a reflection of various poetic forms that emerged in the context of the "New Club," and above all: as a continuous poetic act of remembrance.