Against the Horizon: Feminism and Postwar Austrian Women Writers

(Hardback)

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Description

This is the only English-language book to deal in depth with Austrian women writers of the postwar and contemporary period. It is a comparative study of the works of Marlen Haushofer, Ingeborg Bachmann, Barbara Frischmuth, Elfriede Jelinek, and Brigitte Schwaiger. Their works are examined in light of their criticism of women's position in Austrian society, the writers' relationship to feminism, and the influence of the change in women's status on their literature. Vansant's introduction provides a broad historical overview and discusses some of the factors influencing the development of women's literature in Austria from 1918 to the present.

Reviews

. . . a conscientioous and impressive piece of work that will indisputably be of value to others working in the field.-Modern Australian Literature
This compact volume analyzes the writings of five Austrians by means of thematic groupings. It also provides a condensed history of women's roles in modern Austrian history and politics. Two of these women are deceased, Marlen Haushofer and Ingeborg Bachmann; the other three, Barbara Frischmuth, Elfriede Jelinek, and Brigitte Schwaiger, have engaged in conversation with the author - a significant point of interest which definitely contributes to the value and usefulness of the text as a document. Other strong features are a lucid introduction, good definitions of feminism, a subject index, and biographical notes as well as good bibliographical information. . . A good introduction for readers who understand no German as well as for those who do, this would be a good acquisiton for libraries at all levels.-Choice
." . . a conscientioous and impressive piece of work that will indisputably be of value to others working in the field."-Modern Australian Literature
"This compact volume analyzes the writings of five Austrians by means of thematic groupings. It also provides a condensed history of women's roles in modern Austrian history and politics. Two of these women are deceased, Marlen Haushofer and Ingeborg Bachmann; the other three, Barbara Frischmuth, Elfriede Jelinek, and Brigitte Schwaiger, have engaged in conversation with the author - a significant point of interest which definitely contributes to the value and usefulness of the text as a document. Other strong features are a lucid introduction, good definitions of feminism, a subject index, and biographical notes as well as good bibliographical information. . . A good introduction for readers who understand no German as well as for those who do, this would be a good acquisiton for libraries at all levels."-Choice

Author Bio

JACQUELINE VANSANT is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York.