Emerita Professor Helen Chambers
Contact Details
Research areas
My principal research areas are 19th- and early 20th-century German and Austrian literature, especially Theodor Fontane and Joseph Roth, as well as women's writing, gender, reportage, Anglo-German cultural relations, reception history and literary translation. Through my work on Fontane and Roth I developed an interest in literary irony, which led to a major study of humour and irony in nineteenth-century German women's writing. Humour is not widely recognised as a characteristic of German writing, and there is a widespread perception, not only in German-language culture, that it is not a female prerogative, particularly in the 19th century. My research into the work of Annette von Droste-Hülshoff and Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach among others shows otherwise.
Publications
Humor and Irony in Nineteenth-Century German Women's Writing: Studies in Prose Fiction, 1840-1900
Chambers, H.
2007
Camden House
.
222 p.
Research output
:
Book/Report
›
Book
Violence, Culture and Identity: Essays on German and Austrian Literature, Politics and Society
Chambers, H. (ed.)
2006
Peter Lang
.
432 p.
Research output
:
Book/Report
›
Book
Theodor Fontane and the European Context. Literature, Culture and Society in Prussia and Europe
Howe, P. (ed.) &
Chambers, H. (ed.)
2001
Rodopi
.
Research output
:
Book/Report
›
Book
The Changing Image of Theodor Fontane.
Chambers, H.
1997
Camden House
.
172 p.
Research output
:
Book/Report
›
Book
Theodor Fontane: The London Symposium
Chambers, H. (ed.)
, Bance, A. (ed.) & Jolles, C. (ed.)
1995
Stuttgart:
Akademischer Verlag Hans-Dieter Heinz
.
311 p.
Research output
:
Book/Report
›
Book
Co-existent Contradictions: Joseph Roth in Retrospect
Chambers, H. (ed.)
1991
Riverside, Calif.:
Ariadne Press
.
Research output
:
Book/Report
›
Book
Supernatural and Irrational Elements in the Works of Theodor Fontane
Chambers, H. E.
1980
Stuttgart:
Akademischer Verlag Hans-Dieter Heinz
.
278 p.
(Stuttgarter Arbeiten zur Germanistik).
Research output
:
Book/Report
›
Book
Daniel Kehlmanns "Die Vermessung der Welt" und die Rezeption englischer und amerikanischer Literatur und Kultur
Chambers, H.
2012
In:
Wechselwirkungen II: Deutschsprachige Literatur und Kultur im regionalen und internationalen Kontext.
Szendi, Z. (ed.). Vienna:
Praesens
,
p. 135-146.
(Pecser Studien zur Germanistik).
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Sex und Behoerde in Joseph Roths Reportagen der zwanziger Jahre
Chambers, H.
Sep-2011
In:
Joseph Roth: European Jewish Writer and Austrian Universalist.
Lughofer, J. G. & Miladinovic Zalaznik, M. (eds.). Berlin:
de Gruyter
,
p. 169-180.
12 p.
(Conditio Judiaca).
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Fontane and Gutzkow. Theatre Criticism and Literary Reception
Chambers, H.
2011
In:
Karl Gutzkow and His Contemporaries Karl Gutzkow und seine Zeitgenossen: Beitraege zur Internationalen Konferenz des Editionsprojekts Karl Gutzkow vom 7. bis 9. September 2010 in Exeter.
Vonhoff, G. (ed.). Bielefeld:
Aisthesis
,
p. 203-219.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Bibliographie Charlotte Jolles
White, M. J.
,
Chambers, H. E.
& Erler, G.
2010
In:
Charlotte Jolles: A Life for Theodor Fontane.
Königshausen & Neumann
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
'Die Toten ohne Namen'. Gewaltsamer Tod in der Großstadt in Reportagen von Joseph Roth, Theodor Fontane und Egon Erwin Kisch
Chambers, H.
2010
In:
Joseph Roth und die Reportage.
Eicher, T. (ed.).
Mattes Verlag
,
p. 81-97.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
The Child Bride: Engagements 1890s-style in Fontane, Böhlau, Ebner-Eschenbach and Huch
Chambers, H.
2008
In:
The Text and its Context: Studies in Modern German Literature and Society: presented to Ronald Speirs on the occasion of his 65th birthday.
Harris, N. & Sayner, J. (eds.).
Peter Lang
,
p. 49-62.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Introduction
Chambers, H.
2006
In:
Violence, Culture and Identity: Essays on German and Austrian Literature, Politics and Society.
Chambers, H. (ed.).
Peter Lang
,
p. 11-26.
(Cultural Identity Studies).
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Signs of the Times: Joseph Roth's Weimar Journalism
Chambers, H.
2006
In:
German Novelists of the Weimar Republic: Intersections of Literature and Politics.
Leydecker, K. (ed.).
Camden House
,
p. 101-124.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
"Eine ganze Welt baut sich im Gerichtssaal auf.": Law and Order in the Berlin Reportage of Joseph Roth and Gabriele Tergit'
Chambers, H.
2005
In:
Vienna meets Berlin. Cultural Interactions 1988-1933.
Warren, J. & Zitzlsperger, U. (eds.).
Peter Lang Publishing
,
p. 95-108.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Die Sealsfield-Rezeption in Großbritannien seit 1840; Dokumente zur Rezeption von Charles Sealsfields Werk in Groβbritannien
Chambers, H.
2002
In:
Charles Sealsfield, Dokumente zur Rezeptionsgeschichte, Teil 1: Die zeitgenoessische Rezeption in Europa.
Kucher, P-H. (ed.).
Olms Presse
,
p. 48-79, 375-430.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Nineteenth-century German translations of Jane Austen.
Chambers, H.
2000
In:
Die Rezeption der britischen und irischen Literatur des 19 Jahrhunderts im deutschsprachigen Raum.
Bachleitner, N. (ed.).
Rodopi
,
p. 231-254.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Humour and Irony in Nineteenth-century Women's Narratives in German.
Chambers, H.
2000
In:
Das schwierige neunzehnte Jahrhundert Germanistische Tagung zum 65 Geburtstag von Eda Sagarra im August 1998.
Barkhoff, J., Carr, G. & Paulin, R. (eds.).
Niemeyer
,
p. 389-401.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Groszstädter in der Provinz: Topographie bei Theodor Fontane und Joseph Roth.
Chambers, H.
2000
In:
Theodor Fontane Am Ende des Jahrhunderts.
Delf von Wolzogen, H. (ed.).
Königshausen und Neumann
,
p. 215-225.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Johanna Kinkel's "Hans Ibeles in London": A German View of England
Chambers, H.
1996
In:
Exilanten und andere Deutsche in Fontanes London.
Stuttgart:
Akademischer Verlag Hans-Dieter Heinz
,
p. 159-173.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Von Frauen und Frauenbeinen -- Girls Maedchen und andere in der Reportage von Joseph Roth und Gabriel Tergit
Chambers, H.
1995
In:
Order from Confusion: Essays presented to Edward McInnes.
Deighton, A. (ed.). Hull:
New German Studies German Department University of Hull
,
p. 186-204.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Fontane Translation Workshop
Chambers, H. E.
& Bance, A.
1995
In:
Theodor Fontane: The London Symposium.
Bance, A., Chambers, H. & Jolles, C. (eds.). Stuttgart:
Akademischer Verlag Hans-Dieter Heinz
,
p. 297-310.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
T.Edmund Harvey's 1902 Translation of Theodor Fontane's "Herr Ribbeck von Ribbeck auf Havelland"
Chambers, H.
1995
In:
Theodor Fontane: The London Symposium.
Bance, A., Chambers, H. & Jolles, C. (eds.). Stuttgart:
Akademischer Verlag Hans-Dieter Heinz
,
p. 137-148.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Douglas Parmee's English Translation of Theodor Fontane's "Effi Briest"
Chambers, H.
1995
In:
Theodor Fontane: The London Symposium.
Bance, A., Chambers, H. & Jolles, C. (eds.).
Akademischer Verlag Hans-Dieter Heinz
,
p. 95-109.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
'Ein schwer definierbares Ragout': Ida Hahn-Hahn's "Graefin Faustine": vapours from the Hexenkueche or social and psychological realism?
Chambers, H.
1995
In:
Perspectives on German Realist Writing: Eight Essays.
Ward, M. G. (ed.). Lampeter:
Edwin Mellen Press
,
p. 79-94.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Elizabeth von Arnim's novel Fraulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther -- an anti-Werther?
Chambers, H.
1993
In:
Connections: Essays in Honour of Eda Sagarra on the Occasion of her 60th Birthday.
Skrine, P., Wallbank, R. E. & West, J. (eds.). Stuttgart:
Akademischer Verlag Hans-Dieter Heinz
,
p. 55-60.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Fontane's Translation of "The Charge of the Light Brigade"
Chambers, H.
1992
In:
Anglo-German Studies.
Byrn, R. F. M. & Knight, K. G. (eds.). Leeds:
The Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society
,
p. 83-104.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Predators or Victims? -- Women in Joseph Roth's Works
Chambers, H.
1991
In:
Co-existent Contradictions: Joseph Roth in Retrospect.
Chambers, H. (ed.). Riverside, Calif.:
Ariadne Press
,
p. 107-127.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Die Rezeption Joseph Roths in Grossbritannien
Chambers, H.
1990
In:
Joseph Roth: Interpretation -- Kritik -- Rezeption.
Kessler, M. & Hackert, F. (eds.). Tuebingen:
Stauffenberg
,
p. 65-76.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Thomas Bernhard
Chambers, H.
1989
In:
After the 'Death' of Literature: West German Writing of the 1970s.
Bullivant, K. (ed.). Oxford:
Berg
,
p. 197-211.
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Theodor Fontane, Albert Smith und Gordon Cumming
Chambers, H.
1987
In:
Theodor Fontane im literarischen Leben seiner Zeit.
Keiler, O. (ed.). Berlin:
Deutsche Staatsbibliothek
,
p. 268-302.
(Beitraege aus der deutschen Staatsbibliothek).
Research output
:
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
›
Chapter
Theodor Fontane reads Karl Immermann’s novel „Münchhausen“: reception and affinities
Chambers, H.
2012
In :
Immermann-Jahrbuch
.
11-13
,
p. 167-194.
28 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
The Inadequacy of the Wife-and-Mother Model: Female Happiness in Theodor Fontane’s "Unwiederbringlich"
Chambers, H.
May-2011
In :
Seminar, A Journal of German Studies
.
47
,
2
,
p. 285-297.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Reading and Responding to English Women Writers: Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach and Helene Druskowitz
Chambers, H.
Feb-2011
In :
Women's Writing
.
18
,
1
,
p. 86-102.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
'Sein Geliebtestes zu toten': Literary psychological studies on the sexes and generation conflict in the narrative works of Theodor Storm
Chambers, H.
Jan-2008
In :
Modern Language Review
.
103
,
1
,
p. 275-276.
2 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Ada Christen, 'Sturmvogel vor der groβen Hochflut des Naturalismus'
Chambers, H.
2008
In :
Austrian Studies
.
16
,
p. 188-204.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Facing modernity, fragmentation, culture, and identity in Joseph Roth writing in the 1920s.
Chambers, H.
2007
In :
MODERN AUSTRIAN LITERATURE
.
40
,
p. 101-103.
3 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
The wasting heroine in German fiction by women, 1770-1914
Chambers, H.
Apr-2006
In :
Modern Language Review
.
101
,
p. 573-574.
2 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Theodor Storm: The tense relationship between belief and superstition in his novels.
Chambers, H.
Jan-2005
In :
Modern Language Review
.
100
,
p. 258-259.
2 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
The sisters of Doktor-Faust: A history of female Faust figures
Chambers, H.
Oct-2003
In :
Modern Language Review
.
98
,
p. 1065-1065.
1 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
A history of women's writing in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Chambers, H.
Apr-2003
In :
Modern Language Review
.
98
,
p. 525-527.
3 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Understanding Joseph Roth
Chambers, H.
2002
In :
GERMAN QUARTERLY
.
75
,
p. 324-325.
2 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
The German Bildungsroma: Incest and inheritance
Chambers, H.
Jul-2001
In :
Modern Language Review
.
96
,
p. 900-902.
3 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Fontanes Gedicht "Goodwin-Sand".: Das Schlangen-Motiv: Symbol fuer die Bedrohung menschlichen Lebens
Chambers, H.
1992
In :
Fontane-Blaetter
.
p. 73-78.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Theodor Fontanes Longfellow-Vortrag vom 29.2.1860 in Berlin
Chambers, H.
1989
In :
Fontane-Blaetter
.
47
,
p. 27-48.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
German Literature 1830-1880
Chambers, H.
1988
In :
The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies
.
p. 824-862.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
German Literature 1830-1880
Chambers, H.
1987
In :
The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies
.
p. 720-759.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
German Literature 1830-1880
Chambers, H.
1986
In :
The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies
.
p. 806-845.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Mond und Sterne in Fontanes Werken
Chambers, H.
1984
In :
Fontane-Blaetter
.
37
,
p. 457-476.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
Thomas Bernhard Checklist
Chambers, H.
1976
In :
Theatrefacts
.
III
,
4
,
p. 2-11.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Article
UNDERSTANDING BERNHARD,THOMAS - DOWDEN,SD
CHAMBERS, H.
Sep-1993
In :
Journal of European Studies
.
23
,
91
,
p. 341-342.
2 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Book/Film/Article review
DROSTEHULSHOFF,ANNETTE,VON - A GERMAN POET BETWEEN ROMANTICISM AND REALISM - GUTHRIE,J
CHAMBERS, H.
Jan-1992
In :
Modern Language Review
.
87
,
p. 256-257.
2 p.
Research output
:
Contribution to journal
›
Book/Film/Article review
Afterword
Chambers, H.
2010
London : Angel Classics
Research output
:
Other contribution
No Way Back
Chambers, H. (Translator)
& Rorrison, H. (Translator)
2010
London : Angel Classics
Research output
:
Other contribution
Frauen über Männerkörper: die literarische Vermittlung von Gefühlen in Texten von Autorinnen des Realismus
Chambers, H.
2003
Research output
:
Other contribution
Theodor Fontanes Erzählwerk im Spiegel der Kritik
Chambers, H.
2003
Research output
:
Other contribution
Introduction
Chambers, H.
2000
London : Penguin
Research output
:
Other contribution
Fontane Rezeption im westeuropäischen Raum
Chambers, H.
2000
Research output
:
Other contribution
Effi Briest
Fontane, T. , Rorrison, H. (Translator) &
Chambers, H. E. (Translator)
2000
London : Penguin
Research output
:
Other contribution
Theodor Fontane
Chambers, H.
1999
Research output
:
Other contribution
Eine Finesse für Charlotte
Chambers, H.
1999
Research output
:
Other contribution
A new and radiant star ...' Frederick Hardman's reception of Charles Sealsfield'
Chambers, H.
1997
Research output
:
Other contribution
Gerhart Hauptmann
Chambers, H.
1984
Oxford : Oxford University Press
Research output
:
Other contribution
