23 Mar 2015

'Radio Benjamin' Walter Benjamin

I recently illustrated a review in Harpers Magazine for 'Radio Benjamin', edited by Lecia Rosenthal and translated by Jonathan Lutes, published by Verso. Walther Benjamin began to write and deliver informal radio talks for children in1929. 'Radio Benjamin', is a collection of transcripts of these radio pieces for children and adults, together with some of his writing about the medium, translated into English for the first time. Transcripts include talks for children about outlaws and outcasts, witches, robber gangs and postage-stamp forgers.  Two surprises: Benjamin’s work for radio is comprehensible and also funny.

'Radio Benjamin', Matthew Richardson, Harpers Magazine