Black Banners, written in 1904, is August Strindberg's last major novel of social criticism. It embodies an attack on the decadence and immorality he perceived in the literary circles and cultural life of Stockholm at the turn of twentieth century and led to the so-called «Strindberg Feud». It is considered by many to be the most notorious roman à clef in Swedish literature and it occasioned the greatest scandal of a career marked by controversy.

Autorentext

The Author: August Strindberg (1849-1912) is considered by many to be Sweden's most important literary figure. His plays, novels, short stories, and poetry display great breadth, ranging from powerful naturalistic pieces to his later surrealistic dramas that are credited as being the forerunners of Expressionism. An innovator of form, style, and language, he might rightfully be called the father of modern Swedish literature.
The Translator: Donald K. Weaver received an M.A. in Scandinavian literature and languages at the University of Washington, and an M.A. in psychotherapeutic psychology at Seattle University. As a recipient of a Fulbright scholarship, he lived in Stockholm, Sweden, doing translation work and research in the field of Swedish literature. He also was granted a Swedish Institute scholarship that allowed him to live in the Strindberg Museum in Stockholm. His earlier work includes translating and editing of Strindberg on Stage.

Zusammenfassung
Black Banners