Language Behind Bars

Celan's English language readers, and readers to come, will be deeply grateful for this new translation of his third book. I admire David Young's clear and respectful introduction, generous to his colleagues in Celan translation, and helpful in providing a broad context for this poetry; and I admire, especially, his faithfulness in spirit as he becomes a "water-diviner" of Celan's work. Young is a subtle, trusting reader of the ways this poet of poets took - as he had to - to create a completely new poetry. - Jean Valentine