Sebald: Obscure German academic as world-class writer

The emergence of this obscure German academic, who taught modern history for many years at the University of East Anglia, as a world-class writer when already in his 50s, is one of the most remarkable literary phenomena of recent decades. Although the books were all first published in Germany, it was not until their rapturous reception in Britain and America that the true stature of this writer was gauged. / Stephen Romer, The Guardian Saturday July 6, 2002

After Nature by W G Sebald , trs Michael Hamburger 128pp, Hamish Hamilton, £12.99