Articles Literature and Translation

Rainer Maria Rilke, one of the most important poets of literary modernism, was born 150 years ago. In this interview, literature professor Sandra Richter explains what made him who he was as a person and why his work is still worth studying today.

The Munich-based writer Friedrich Ani has written a book about his childhood and his origins – it also explores how silence led him to writing and to his literary voice.

A family gathering without conflict is conceivable, but unrealistic. Mia Oberländer knows this all too well. Her new comic Saloon is set in the Wild West, where there is no escaping conflict and resentment in the middle of an endless desert. Can reconciliation still be possible?

In stark contrast to the Football World Cup, which gets bigger every time, there are publications from two publishers that prove the saying: small but mighty!

Several recent young adult novels feature protagonists facing difficult circumstances: dealing with a father suffering from dementia, the divorce of their parents, the familial consequences of East German espionage, or struggling with their gambling addiction.

Once upon a time – there was an ancient text form that can be found in all cultures. These fantastic stories were so important that they were even recognised as intangible cultural heritage in Germany in 2016. About five German fairy tales that still live on our bookshelves today.

Prostitution was illegal in the GDR. Nevertheless, the Stasi exploited women as prostitutes. Clemens Böckmann has written a documentary and harrowing novel about a woman who sells her body her entire life.

In his new book, Juan S. Guse writes about men who got rich quick with cryptocurrencies. And about how this mysterious scene works.

Author and entrepreneur Gabriel Yoran has written a humorous book about the frustrating but apparently necessary impositions of everyday life. He shows that technological progress often gives rise to annoying clutter.

How enriching it is to not only read a story, but also to experience it on the big screen! Here is a small selection of films based on important and well-known German-language novels. Would you rather turn the pages or watch the film? It's simple: take time for both.

Young adult literature has seen a remarkable surge in popularity in Germany, a trend that began during the pandemic. Young readers are sharing their reading experiences on social media, which is driving growth further. We take a look at the most popular genres in young adult fiction today.
 

There was a festive atmosphere in the Kaisersaal of Frankfurt's Römer when the six finalists were presented. The tension grew until it was finally announced that Martina Hefter would receive the German Book Prize 2024.

Teresa Ciuffoletti has translated works by Judith Hermann, Dörte Hansen and Fatma Aydemir into Italian. In this interview, she explains why she doesn't use translation tools, what North Friesland and Tuscany have in common and which book she would like to translate one day.