Degeneration
Degeneration is Max Nordau's attack on the art and thought of the late nineteenth century, published in German in 1892 and in English in 1895. Borrowing the idea of hereditary degeneracy from the criminologist Lombroso, Nordau diagnoses the whole fin de siecle as a sickness and treats its leading figures as case histories: the Pre-Raphaelites, the French symbolists, Tolstoy, Wagner, Ibsen, Zola and Nietzsche are examined in turn for mysticism, egomania and false realism. The book was a sensation and provoked replies, among them Shaw's Sanity of Art. Read today it is a document of its moment, revealing the anxieties of a culture that felt itself exhausted. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Degeneration
Degeneration by Max Simon Nordau can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Degeneration online?
Yes. Degeneration opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Degeneration free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Degeneration is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Degeneration in the public domain?
Yes. Degeneration by Max Simon Nordau is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Degeneration?
About 17 h 27 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Degeneration?
Degeneration by Max Simon Nordau is filed under "Essays & Letters" in the Vinteuil library.
