Contemporary Austrian Authors to Watch

Nobel Laureates: International Recognition

Elfriede Jelinek

Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2004, Elfriede Jelinek is perhaps the most internationally recognized contemporary Austrian author. Her work is characterized by linguistic experimentation, biting social criticism, and unflinching examinations of Austrian society's darker aspects.

Novels like "The Piano Teacher" (Die Klavierspielerin), later adapted into an award-winning film by Michael Haneke, explore themes of repression, sexuality, and power with brutal honesty. Jelinek's prose can be challenging, featuring long passages without conventional dialogue or paragraph breaks, but rewards patient readers with its fierce intelligence.

Start With: "The Piano Teacher" offers the most accessible entry point. Those interested in her more experimental work might then explore "Women as Lovers" or "Lust."

Peter Handke

Peter Handke received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2019, though the award sparked controversy due to his political statements regarding the Yugoslav Wars. Setting politics aside, Handke's literary achievements are undeniable. His work ranges from experimental early plays like "Offending the Audience" to meditative prose narratives.

"A Sorrow Beyond Dreams," his memoir about his mother's suicide, demonstrates his ability to treat painful personal material with restraint and precision. "The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick" influenced filmmakers and writers alike with its existential tension.

Start With: "A Sorrow Beyond Dreams" shows Handke at his most emotionally direct. "Slow Homecoming" represents his later, more contemplative style.

Established Contemporary Voices

Christoph Ransmayr

Christoph Ransmayr creates novels that blend historical research with literary imagination. "The Last World" reimagines Ovid's exile through a mysterious, mythologically infused narrative. "The Terrors of Ice and Darkness" explores the doomed Austro-Hungarian polar expedition of 1872-1874.

Ransmayr's writing is atmospheric and meticulously crafted, appealing to readers who enjoy literary historical fiction with philosophical depth.

Start With: "The Last World" (Die letzte Welt) showcases his unique ability to transform classical material into something entirely contemporary.

Daniel Kehlmann

Daniel Kehlmann achieved international breakthrough success with "Measuring the World" (Die Vermessung der Welt), a novel about Alexander von Humboldt and Carl Friedrich Gauss that became the bestselling German-language novel since Patrick Suskind's "Perfume."

Kehlmann excels at intellectual comedy, treating serious subjects with wit and accessibility. His subsequent novels, including "Fame" and "Tyll," continue to demonstrate his range and storytelling skill.

Start With: "Measuring the World" earned its popularity through genuine literary merit combined with readability.

Eva Menasse

Eva Menasse's debut novel "Vienna" (Wien) traces her Jewish family's history across the twentieth century, earning comparison to classic family sagas while maintaining a distinctly contemporary voice. Her work addresses Austrian identity, particularly the complicated relationship with historical memory.

Menasse also writes incisive essays on contemporary issues, making her one of Austria's most versatile literary voices.

Start With: "Vienna" remains her most substantial work and an excellent introduction to her concerns and style.

Emerging Talents

Clemens J. Setz

Among younger Austrian writers, Clemens J. Setz stands out for his imaginative range and formal experimentation. His novel "Indigo" won the Leipzig Book Fair Prize and displays his ability to create unsettling, original fictional worlds.

Setz's work often incorporates elements of speculative fiction while remaining firmly literary. He represents a generation of Austrian writers unafraid to transgress genre boundaries.

Vea Kaiser

Vea Kaiser gained attention for her debut novel "Blasmusikpop," a multigenerational saga set in a small Austrian village. Her accessible, energetic prose has earned comparisons to the magical realism tradition while remaining distinctly Austrian in its concerns.

Finding Contemporary Austrian Literature in Translation

The good news for English-language readers is that Austrian literature enjoys increasing translation attention. Publishers particularly active in bringing Austrian work to English readers include:

• Archipelago Books - Known for high-quality literary translations
• Seagull Books - Extensive German-language translation list
• Quercus/MacLehose Press - European literary fiction specialists