German literature

German Collections

Contemporary literature from Germany? Browse our collection then borrow the item via any local public library in Australia.

German Classics

Read German Classics like Goethe or Kleist online in English translation. Start exploring the old world of literature in a new medium.

Writers' Gallery

German authors in Australia – Find out which authors have been on tour and read snippets of their work – in English and German.

Reviews

Looking for a good read? Australian literary critics review new German books published in English translation.

What’s new

Theodor Fontane (1819–1898) is regarded as the most important 19th-century German-language realist writer. His novels and poems are translated into many languages and form the canon of international literature.

Literature Live – Podcast

Zafer Senocak is a leading voice on issues of multiculturalism and a widely published writer and journalist. In this interview he speaks about migration and multiculturalism in Europe and the Islamic world.

Reviews

Read this wonderful debut of Ferdinand von Schirach. His career as a criminal defence lawyer in Berlin has provided the inspirational material for this collection of short stories. Read the new review by Andrew Riemer.

Is This Necessary? – On Literary Prizes in Germany

Every day an average of three literary prizes are awarded in Germany. This is a lot, you may think. However, most writers in Germany cannot afford living from their work alone and it is quite difficult to put themselves on the map, so even an award of a small town can help them get publicity. On the downside: it is also a business decision every time and it may arise criticism. More

Chat and Twitter: Writers on the Internet

The Internet offers new ways of reading: hypertexts, blogs and co. are on the rise and there have never been such varied platforms for writers before. It has never been so easy to reach so many people with virtual reading samples, networking and blogging. How do well-known German authors deal with these things? Do they also blog and twitter in cyberspace? More

Goethe-Institut Australien

Book of the month

February

Bánk, Zsuzsa
Die hellen Tage
540 pages, Fischer (S.), Frankfurt (2011)
ISBN 9783100052223

Bánk tells the story of three families and accompanies the young heroes into middle age. When Seri, Karl and Aja travel to Rome to study, the city becomes a turning point in the story of their lives, a test of their friendship, of love and betrayal, guilt and forgiveness.