First group read

[Christian]

For the moment it's just me talking to myself, but if anyone is interested in reading a piece of German literature for Autumn 2017, please write down your suggestion(s)!

In the meantime, I'll be adding Herta Müller's Atemschaukel
(The Hunger Angel) as currently-reading, because I'm currently reading it and I'm the only member :P

[Blephen]

You're definitely in for a treat. If you can, I recommend trying to find volumes of her poetry, the layouts of which she designs herself.

http://www.californiapoetics.org/wp-c...

The pictures, the font colors, and the word pairings/diction make for stunning poems.

[Christian]

I didn't know she also wrote poetry! I guess that shouldn't come as a surprise: from the little I've read so far, she definitely has her way with words.

Thanks for the info & poem!

Edit: it appears to come from Vater telefoniert mit den Fliegen

[Blephen]

Yep, that's the one. But all of her Gedichtsammlungen are in that 90s, ransom-note style, haha. You not knowing she wrote poetry reminds me of when I found out the Nobel site has Wole Soyinka listed as a poet and not a playwright...

That being said, though I can argue with many of the Academy's novelist laureates, their poet selections have been superb! I see you read French & German. In that case, you should definitely try out Nelly Sachs and Saint-John Perse.

[Christian]

So I'll start by suggesting The Radetzky March, which I've been meaning to read for a long time and Wie der Soldat das Grammofon repariert.

@Blephen I've bought and read Vater telefoniert mit den Fliegen: it's great! Thanks again for the tip!

[Christian]

Anyone else? (We're now up to 3 members!)

I was thinking that in general, we could first all propose books, then vote on them, but of course it works better for larger groups. If there's no further comment I'll pick one myself to keep things rolling, but if there's anything you'd like to read that's from a German-speaking author, write it down!

Oh and btw, for now I've set it to be a quarterly read, so there won't be any rush to read it.

[Christian]

Our first winner, by unanimity: The Radetzky March! Did you already read it? Planning to join?

[Carol]

Christian, I've wanted to read The Radetzky March for awhile, but likely won't get to start it until after the new year.

I'm delighted that you set up this group and looking forward to the discussions and insights.

I'll propose a couple of books for consideration later today, for after Radetzky or whenever you like.

[Carol]

I have a question: are we focused on German-language publications of authors of all nationalities, or only of German-resident authors? It's possible that a Swiss or other former Holy Roman Empire author or two may slip into my proposed lists because I am unaware and on my own shelves I tend not to distinguish by nationality or citizenship, but by original publication language.

Here are some proposed novels for the group's consideration. Some old; some post-2000 pub date.

The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf. First published in 1842. 109 pages.

Death in Venice by Thomas Mann. First published in 1912. 160 pages.

Narcissus and Goldmund by Herman Hesse. First published in 1930. 320 pages

Auto-da-Fé by Elias Canetti. First published in 1935. 464 pages.

After Midnight by Irmgard Keun. First published 1937. 168 pages.

Chess StoryStefan Zweig –First published 1941. (104 pages).

The Clown by Heinrich Böll. First published in 1963. 252 pages.

The Quest for Christa T. by Christa Wolf. First published in 1968. 185 pages.

Measuring the World by Daniel Kehlmann. First published in 2005. 239 pages.

How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone by Saša Stanišić. First published in 2006. 304 pages.

[Christian]

Hey Carol! Nice to have you here :D

I think we should focus on literature originally published in German, so it definitely includes Austria, Switzerland, etc.

I've read a few of your suggestions (Narcissus and Goldmund is one of my favorite!) and noticed your last one from Saša Stanišić... It's the other book I proposed!

I haven't started reading Radetzky March yet and so far no one expressed their intention to join, so if you want, we could read How the Soldier Repairs the Gramophone instead? Again, no rush whatsoever (the Makioka sisters will be keeping me busy for a while!)

[Carol]

Sounds good. I'll get a copy of gramophone and then we can align on a start date.