More than half a century after its translation into English, Erich Auerbach's Mi
mesis remains a masterpiece of literary criticism. A brilliant display of erudit
ion, wit, and wisdom, his exploration of how great European writers from Homer t
o Virginia Woolf depicted reality has taught generations how to read Western lit
erature. This new expanded edition includes a substantial essay in introduction
by Edward Said as well as an essay, never before translated into English, in whi
ch Auerbach responds to his critics.
