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 Peter Handke (1942- )
Authors in German Literature

Introduction
My Year in the No-Man's-Bay The novelist, poet, and playwright Peter Handke was born in Griffen in the Austrian province of Carinthia (Kärnten) on 6 Dec. 1942. He spent his childhood in both East Berlin and Griffen. In 1961 he began law studies in Graz, Austria. In Graz he became involved with the literary group known as "Das Forum Stadtpark" and published pieces in the journal "manuskripte." With the publication of his first novel in 1965, he left the university and became a full-time writer. Handke has lived in Graz, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Paris, Salzburg, and in the United States. He currently calls Chaville, France home.

In 1986 Handke worked together with director Wim Wenders on the film Wings of Desire. In the 1990s Handke caused a political stir with his anti-NATO, pro-Serbia statements and literary works. In April 1999 he gave back the 10,000-mark Georg-Brüchner literature prize money he had won in 1973—and left the Catholic church—because of his opposition to the NATO attacks on Belgrade. His often controversial, avant-garde works include:

  • The Hornets / Die Hornissen (1966, novel)
  • Offending the Audience / Publikumsbeschimpfung (1966, play)
  • Kaspar (1968, play)
  • The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick / Die Angst des Tormanns beim Elfmeter (1970, novel)
  • The Short Letter at the Long Parting / Der kurze Brief zum langen Abschied (1972, novel)
  • Sorrow Beyond Dreams / Wunschloses Unglück (1972, memoir)
  • The Left-Handed Woman / Die linkshändige Frau (1976, short story)
  • The Weight of the World / Das Gewicht der Welt (1976, diary/journal)
  • The Slow Return Home / Langsame Heimkehr (1979, short story)
  • About the Villages / Über die Dörfer (1981, dramatic poem)
  • My Year in the No-Man's-Bay / Mein Jahr in der Niemandsbucht (1998, novel)
  • On a Dark Night I Left My Silent House / In einer dunklen Nacht ging ich aus meinem stillen Haus (1999, novel)

For more about Peter Handke and his works see the links below for Handke books, his contribution to the film Wings of Desire, and Handke on the Web.

Handke Books and Resources

Peter Handke Books
Links to selected books by Peter Handke. From your Guide.

Review: Wings of Desire on DVD
Handke co-wrote the screenplay for this classic Wim Wenders film.

Peter Handke on the Web
Links to Web sites devoted to Peter Handke and/or his works. From your Guide.

Authors in German Literature 1
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Authors in German Literature 2
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