'A profoundly affirming book about the potential for literature . . . One of the few essential writers of this generation' The Scotsman
From acclaimed critic, novelist and academic W. G. Sebald, author of Austerlitz and The Rings of Saturn, a collection of essay on the Austrian writers who inspired him
Appearing for the first time in English, Silent Catastrophes brings together W. G. Sebald's essays on the Austrian writers who meant so much to him.
The evolution of Austria from vast empire to diminutive Alpine republic, followed by its annexation by Nazi Germany, had a profound traumatic impact on the literary output of the nation. Essays on the writings of Kafka, Handke, Bernhard and more, explore the concepts of 'home/land', 'borderland' and 'exile' with deep compassion and insight.
A revelation to Sebald's English-language readers, Silent Catastrophes traces many of the themes which animate Sebald's own work and illuminates how melancholy - the contemplation of disaster in progress - is itself a form of resistance.
'One of Europe's most mysterious and best-loved literary imaginations' Evening Standard
| ISBN: | 9780141037028 |
| Publication date: | 22nd January 2026 |
| Author: | W G Sebald, W G Sebald |
| Publisher: | Penguin Books an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 240 pages |
| Genres: |
Literary essays Literary studies: general |
'A profoundly affirming book about the potential for literature . . . One of the few essential writers of this generation' The Scotsman
From acclaimed critic, novelist and academic W. G. Sebald, author of Austerlitz and The Rings of Saturn, a collection of essay on the Austrian writers who inspired him
Appearing for the first time in English, Silent Catastrophes brings together W. G. Sebald's essays on the Austrian writers who meant so much to him.
The evolution of Austria from vast empire to diminutive Alpine republic, followed by its annexation by Nazi Germany, had a profound traumatic impact on the literary output of the nation. Essays on the writings of Kafka, Handke, Bernhard and more, explore the concepts of 'home/land', 'borderland' and 'exile' with deep compassion and insight.
A revelation to Sebald's English-language readers, Silent Catastrophes traces many of the themes which animate Sebald's own work and illuminates how melancholy - the contemplation of disaster in progress - is itself a form of resistance.
'One of Europe's most mysterious and best-loved literary imaginations' Evening Standard
Silent Catastrophes features in the following genres: Literary essays, Literary studies: general
Silent Catastrophes is available in Paperback, Hardback
Silent Catastrophes was written by W G Sebald, W G Sebald and published by Penguin Books an imprint of Penguin Books Ltd
Silent Catastrophes has 240 pages
£11.69