Dictionary of Literary Biography: Contemporary German Fiction Writers - First Series v. 69

Coming to terms with the experience of fascism was a major concern of German authors who experienced Nazi rule and World War II as adults. It led them to a strong political awareness and, in some cases, to actual involvement in political affairs. These writers often became the conscience of a society that was inclined to forget its recent past. This volume sheds light on these questions: to what extent did the year 1945 constitute a new beginning in German literature and to what degree were pre-1945 literary traditions continued? It also discusses the different directions taken in the development of East and West German literature.

43 entries include: Alfred Andersch, Heinrich Boll, Paul Celan, Gunter Eich, Wolfgang Hildersheimer, Walter Jens, Wolfdietrich Schnurre, Anna Seghers, Bodo Uhse, Peter Weiss.