H.C. Andersens brevveksling med Lucie & B.S. Ingemann Kommentar

H.C. Andersen's (1805-1875) correspondence with B.S. Ingemann (1789-1862) and his wife Lucie (1792-1868) is among the last of the great poet's extensive correspondences to be published. It is not only an important source of knowledge for understanding the lives and authorship of both Andersen and Ingenmann, but it also throws important new light on the Golden Age of Danish literature. The 388 letters span a period of more than 45 years from about 1820, when Andersen as a poor and unknown writerseeks out Ingemann in Copenhagen, until he in 1867, shortlybefore Lucie's death, gives an account of his appointment as citizen of honour in his hometown, Odense. The correspondence shows how Ingemann, as a severe literarycritic and guide, influences the young Andersen but it also reveals how the roles, at least to a certain degree, are exchanged later in their lives. Also, the letters show the great compassion and understanding Lucie and B.S. Ingemann felt, and which Andersen highly praised.