The Bridge in the Jungle
The richness of UC Riverside Libraries' B. Traven collection is nicely illustrated by the various editions of one work, The Bridge in the Jungle, a few of which are shown here. Also in Special Collections are an unpublished screenplay by Albert Maltz and the 1971 Bridge in the Jungle film written, produced and directed by Pancho Kohner.
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Click on the book to see others from the UCR collection. |
Click here to see materials from the 1971 film
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The novel, which first appeared in 1929, has been published in many languages. One of its best-known features is its dedication: "To the mothers!"
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From the first edition (Berlin: Büchergilde Gutenberg, 1929) |
From the first U.S. edition (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1938) |
In its announcement of the new novel, appearing in the U.S. for the first time in 1938, the Alfred A. Knopf company said: "But there is even more here than a story so mysteriously powerful and dramatic that it is almost hypnotic; there are a wonderful picture of Indian life, an insight into the primitive mind, a commentary on civilization, and something felt (rather than said) about the sameness of human emotions all over the world. It is a story not easily forgotten--nor is the strange jungle atmosphere in which it is set."
In 1979, the artist Clément Moreau created 21 linoleum block prints to illustrate Traven's Bridge in the Jungle. Büchergilde Gutenberg issued them in a limited-edition portfolio.
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Moreau, Clément. 21 Linolschnitte zu B. Traven ‚Die Brücke im Dschungel'. Frankfurt am Main: Büchergilde Gutenberg, 1979. |
In this touching image by Moreau, the drowned Carlosito lies "in state," decorated with flowers, ribbons, and a paper crown and surrounded by candles.
