Zollinger, Albin.

Zollinger, Albin (b. Jan. 24, 1895, Zurich, Switz.--d. Nov. 7, 1941, Zurich)

Poet and novelist, the leading figure in the revival of Swiss poetry between World Wars I and II.

Zollinger wrote most of his work in the 10 years before his death. Following Impressionist trends, he became a master of landscape description, inspired by a refined sensuous delight. He also aspired to transcend the narrow limits of human nature. Encouraged by the examples of Friedrich Holderlin, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Thomas Wolfe, he created an effusive lyrical imagery. His volumes of verse include Gedichte (1933; "Poems"), Sternfruhe (1936; "Starlit Early Morning"), Stille des Herbstes (1939; "Autumn Tranquility"), and Haus des Lebens (1939; "House of Life"). His novels Der halbe Mensch (1929; "Half a Human"), Die grosse Unruhe (1939; "The Great Restlessness"), and Pfannenstiel (1940; "Panhandle") and his novella Das Gewitter (1943; "The Thunderstorm") are confrontations with the great movements of his epoch. While Zollinger's plots suffer from looseness, his language is rich and evocative.