The Weight of the World

New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1984. 1st. Octavo gray boards with black cloth spine in black illus dust jacket in archival mylar wrap; 243 pages; 22 cm Very fine in a near fine dust jacket, with a lightly sunned spine, and a very thin superficial three-inch long partial 'slice' to front jacket (does not go all the way through; more like a heavy indentation). . hardcover. ISBN: 0374287457

Translation of: Das Gewicht der Welt -- a combination of professional notebook and personal diary that records -- both in short, informal jottings and through more formal, extended meditations -- the details of Handke's daily life in Paris from November 1975 through March 1977. Along with references to such mentors as Truffaut, John Cowper Powys, Robert DeNiro and Goethe, the journal recounts Handke's passing impressions of strangers; the deep and delicate nature of his relationship with his daughter; and a brief hospital stay which stirs his ever-present fear of death.